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2026 Mitsubishi Destinator GLS CVT Review

The middle child of the Destinator lineup might be the sensible seven-seater crossover you’ve been waiting for.

Jerome Tresvalles
2026 Mitsubishi Destinator Review

The Mitsubishi Destinator belongs to the compact crossover SUV category — though in our market, that label feels like a stretch. With its seven-seat capacity and generous proportions, it's far more fitting to call it a family SUV, because at first glance, there's nothing compact about it.

It may have the size and seating capacity down pat, but does it have the power, performance, and tech to make the experience whole? In this review of the Destinator GLS, that’s exactly what we’re going to find out.

4.3 / 5
2026 Mitsubishi Destinator GLS CVT Review
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.0/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.5/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.5/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.0/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.5/5
What You Will Like
  • Peppy turbocharged engine
  • Impressive NVH insulation and ride comfort
  • Adequately equipped even for the mid-range variant
What You Won't Like
  • Too much piano black plastics in the center console and steering wheel
  • Average fuel consumption
How We Do Our Reviews
Related: PIMS 2026: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV previewed ahead of launch

Before we get to anything else, let’s start with the Destinator’s price. Now, if you’re checking out the Destinator, you’re probably looking at the range-topping GT variant. Depending on where you're in the Philippines and the kind of color you’re looking at, the GT variant will run you from P1,929,000 to P1,954,000. That amount of money certainly raises a few eyebrows and certainly puts it against stiff competition from other crossovers and SUVs.

Look down the range, however, and you’ll find the GLS CVT which is priced at P1,599,000. That reasonable price is why we opted to review the mid-variant instead. Though it may be the middle child, the GLS may surprise you in how much it still offers even without the GT’s kit.

Mitsubishi Destinator 1
Mitsubishi Destinator 2
Mitsubishi Destinator 3

The Mitsubishi Destinator looks like a mix between the fresher faced XForce and the more rugged veteran, the Montero Sport. The front fascia strikes a balance between muscular and refined, anchored by sharp headlights with integrated daytime running lights flanking a distinctive acrylic grille with a transparent 3D effect. The result is a tough and commanding look that neatly blends Mitsubishi’s modern design.

Mitsubishi Destinator Side
Mitsubishi Destinator Wheel
Mitsubishi Destinator Taillights

Walk around it, and the Destinator continues to make its size known. Sculpted body lines give it an athletic posture, while a high beltline and strong shoulders lend the kind of confident profile you'd expect from a family hauler that also wants to look the part.

At 4,680 mm long and 1,840 mm wide, it occupies a sweet spot, manageable enough to thread through city traffic, yet large enough to carry a family in comfort. The GLS rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels giving it more heft and height. Mitsubishi has done well to translate the XForce’s design language into a much larger car without making it look awkward. That’s a long winded way of saying we like how it looks.

Mitsubishi Destinator Engine

Okay, there is something compact about the Desinator. Under the hood, it’s powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. However, before you say it’s the same engine as in the XForce and Xpander, the engine in the Destinator is turbocharged. The engine pushes out 162 hp and 250 Nm of torque, mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), delivering power exclusively to the front wheels.

Mitsubishi Destinator Third Row Up
Mitsubishi Destinator Second Row Folded
Mitsubishi Destinator Cargo Bay

While we don’t have exact cargo capacity figures for the Destinator, we can paint a picture of how many items it can carry. With all seats folded up, it can carry a wheelchair or a few hand carry luggage at the back. Fold the third row down and you can carry an additional two balikbayan boxes. Fold the second row down and it can carry an additional two boxes.

As always with three-row cars, we start at the last row. The interior reminds us of the Xpander and the third row certainly looks the part. When it comes to toys, it’s got a USB-C and USB-A charger on one side, air vents, and a pair of bottle holders on either side. Space is limited but still adequate for short trips around the city. Legroom and headroom are decent even with the second row adjusted all the way back. 

Mitsubishi Destinator Tray Table
Mitsubishi Destinator Air Vents
Mitsubishi Destinator Second Row

In the second row, you won’t find yourself complaining about space. Headroom and legroom is plentiful, plus the high rail mounts on the front seats means you can stretch your legs out. Amenities for the second row include a center armrest with cup holders, bottle holders by the doors, air vents, USB charging ports, and two tray tables.

Mitsubishi Destinator Cabin
Mitsubishi Destinator Steering Wheel
Mitsubishi Destinator Front Seats

Up front, the Destinator features a modern and rather sport looking cabin. In terms of tech, you get a fully digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment system complemented with six speakers plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. More features include, a 360-degree camera, a wireless charger, physical knobs and buttons for the air which we love, push button start, and a drive mode selector by the center console. 

Unlike the GT which has leather upholstery, you’ll have to make do with fabric seats for the GLS. Despite the downgrade, the fabric seats work a treat in repelling the summer heat. The steering wheel which is wrapped in leather features multiple controls for the infotainment as well as for the cruise control. All well and good? Not quite. The Mitsubishi Destinator’s interior is one step away from being perfect, and that is because of the abundance of piano black plastics on the center console and steering wheel which are scratch magnets.

Mitsubishi Destinator Rolling Shot

Even with the considerable heft the Destinator carries over the Xpander and XForce, the engine and transmission do a good job of pushing this crossover up to speed when you put your foot down. In Normal and Tarmac modes, the Destinator feels quick and light on its feet. The engine will strain under hard acceleration, but it's never obnoxious about it.

The steering feel strikes a middle ground between the Montero Sport and the Xpander — heavy enough to provide decent road feedback, yet light enough that it won't become a chore on longer drives.

On the fuel efficiency front, with a full cabin, we managed around 8 km/L in the city. Out on the highway, it returned 14.8 km/L at an average speed of 70 km/h. It's not class-leading, but for a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, there's nothing to be embarrassed about.

NVH insulation is decent — some road noise does creep in over rougher or damaged surfaces, but it clears up once the pavement smooths out. Ride comfort is another strong suit; the Destinator isn't too bouncy or too stiff, soaking up road imperfections with ease. At the GLS trim's price point, buyers are getting solid value — and then some.

Whether you call it a compact crossover or a family SUV, what Mitsubishi has achieved with the Destinator is bridge the gap between the Xpander and the Montero Sport. It may not match the Montero Sport's refinement or outright power, but it delivers the complete three-row SUV experience at a far more accessible price point. The GT may have all the bells and whistles, but the GLS covers all the essentials and more at just under P1.6 million.

Specifications

Engine

1.5 L

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Performance

161 hp @ 5,000 rpm

Transmission

CVT

Summary

Name Mitsubishi Destinator GLS CVT
Body Type Crossover
Price ₱1,599,000
Transmission Category CVT

Engine

Performance

Economy & Environment

Dimensions

Safety & Security

Features

Technology

Colors

Mitsubishi Destinator - Blade Silver Metallic Blade Silver Metallic
Mitsubishi Destinator - Graphite Gray Metallic Graphite Gray Metallic
Mitsubishi Destinator - Jet Black Mica Jet Black Mica
Mitsubishi Destinator - Lunar Blue Mica Lunar Blue Mica
Mitsubishi Destinator - Quartz White Pearl Quartz White Pearl
Mitsubishi Destinator - Red Metallic Red Metallic

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