Is the Mitsubishi Strada a compelling option in its segment?

The Mitsubishi Strada shares a number of commonalities with the Montero Sport, from the looks to the cabin, and even its mechanicals. Of course, the main contrast here is that the Strada is missing a third-row, and an enclosed cargo area. Instead, it gets a loading bed that should allow you to haul and carry lots of stuff for your trip. Alongside the Toyota Hilux, the Strada happens to be one of the longest-running nameplates in its segment. Today, the competition is packed with several models, and with the current Mitsubishi Strada dating back to 2019, is it still a compelling option in its segment up until today? Let’s find out.

Just last year, Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp. (MMPC) launched the Strada Athlete. Compared to the standard variants, this special trim gets a range of exclusive exterior and interior details. Exterior-wise, the midsize pickup replaces the chrome accents with the application of black trims on its grille, side mirrors, door handles, and even on the 18-inch wheels—it even comes with special decals for a more rugged and distinctive look. The Athlete trim can be had in either 4x2 or 4x4. 

While the Montero Sport got an update last 2019, the Mitsubishi Strada still retains the ever-familiar dashboard layout from the pre-facelift SUV. The majority of the materials used inside are above average, with a mix of polyurethane, leather, soft-touch plastics, and piano black materials. Opt for the Athlete trims, and it’ll come with orange and black leather seats, giving it a more youthful appearance on the inside.

Practicality is also strong, with it having huge cubbyholes, cup-holders, bottle-holders, and door pockets. Back seat space is also good, with it having enough room for two people standing at 5 foot 8 and below. One unique feature of the Strada is the roof-mounted air vents which can be found in other types of vehicles like MPVs and SUVs. 

The Mitsubishi Strada’s suspension has greatly improved from its predecessor. It’s not as bouncy as before, bringing the midsize pickup truck’s ride comfort closer to class leaders such as the Ford Ranger and Nissan Navara. Another thing that’s worth applauding is its NVH insulation, keeping outside noise to a minimum.

All variants of the Mitsubishi Strada are powered by a 2.4-liter MIVEC diesel engine with VGT that’s able to produce 179 hp and 430 Nm of torque. The said mill could either be paired with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. As previously tested, the Strada got 10.8 km/L in the city during fast paces, while at the highway, figures went up to 14.7 km/L with the cruise control set on 90 km/h. 

Standard safety equipment on all Mitsubishi Strada variants includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), stability control, hill-start assist (HSA), dual-front airbags, ISOFIX child seat tethers, and a reversing camera. Opting for the range-topping Athlete 4x4 AT will add more airbags and other driver-assist features including a blindspot warning system, rear-cross traffic alert, automatic high-beam, the ultrasonic misacceleration system, and forward collision mitigation system. 

After going through several aspects of the midsize pickup truck, we now go back to our question. So, is the Mitsubishi Strada a compelling option in its segment? Despite the presence of new players and recent updates to some of its competitors, the Mitsubishi Strada remains a compelling option in its segment. Notably, the range-topping Athlete 4WD gives you a lot for what you’re paying for, especially when it comes to safety. Not to mention it even gets the looks, the improved ride and comfort, the practicality, and the capable performance that doesn’t sacrifice fuel economy. Prices start at P998,000 for the GL 4x2 MT and tops out at P1,760,000 for the Athlete 4x4 MT.

Are you now decided to get a brand new Mitsubishi Strada? If so, then, don’t hesitate to click on the ‘Get Quote’ button—it’s absolutely free. You could even request a test drive so you would know what you’ll like about it, first hand.