REVIEW
Mitsubishi Challenger 2014 Review
Mitsubishi's Challenger represents a dying breed of workhorse-based 4WD wagonsMitsubishi Challenger LS
Road Test
The Challenger is the Mitsubishi 4WD to buy if you want something more basic and less expensive than a similarly equipped Pajero. But there are compromises: The Challenger is not exactly lively and agile on the open road and there are not the levels of comfort you would expect in a Pajero. But if your needs lean towards sheer practicality – and you don't mind the odd bush adventure – the Challenger ticks many of the right boxes. The Mitsubishi Challenger is priced from $42,490 (plus on-road costs).
Rough and tumble off-road wagons built from rough and tumble off-road utes aren't common today. Although the genre was responsible for birth of vehicles such as the original Nissan Pathfinder (and Toyota's now long-gone 4 Runner), the less than subtle shift from the bush to the 'burbs experienced by new generation SUVs has left a big gap in the list of truly off-road worthy passenger vehicles.
Mitsubishi's Challenger, and Holden's Colorado 7, are about the only exceptions.
Essentially little more than a Triton one-tonner with an extended five-passenger cab (there was a seven-seat version but it was discontinued in 2013) creating a station wagon interior, the Challenger barely attempts to disguise its workhorse roots – to the point that, from the B-Pillar forward, there's little difference between the two.
The entire driveline is interchangeable, as is the front coil-spring independent wishbone suspension – although the Challenger does get a more sophisticated (albeit live-axle) three-link coil spring arrangement at the back – all propped up in the interests of ground clearance and off-road effectiveness.
So it's no surprise then that the Challenger is not as plush even as a basic Pajero, and exhibits the sort of compromised road behaviour once accepted as part of the deal with vehicles designed to tackle rough bush tracks.
The powerplant is the same 131kW/350Nm 2.5-litre turbo-diesel used in the Triton and the gearboxes (in the base version) include a five-speed manual (with a 400Nm version of the engine) and a five-speed auto. The LS (as tested) comes with automatic transmission only.
Four-wheel drive is courtesy of Mitsubishi's three-differential Super Select system (a rear-drive Challenger was discontinued in 2013) that is a cut above most others in that it offers the driver a choice between rear-wheel and all-wheel drive in all circumstances, including on the road.
For off-road work, the system offers high and low range, as well as a standard rear differential lock to keep the Challenger ploughing on where some others descend into the murk.
Its bush credentials are up to scratch: The Challenger quotes 220mm of ground clearance, as well as a 600mm fording depth and workable approach (36-degree) and departure (25-degree) angles. The ramp-over angle is quoted at 23 degrees.
All these stats compare favourably with the Holden Colorado 7, although the Challenger's Pajero sibling out-points it in a few places. For example the Pajero offers a better wading depth of 700mm, as well as slightly better ground clearance. But the approach, ramp-over and departure angles are similar.
All this provides a pretty good clue as to the Challenger's off-road abilities – and an equally good clue as to how it performs on the road.
In a word, the Triton-based five-seat wagon is basic. Basic in that it lacks the suspension refinement and handling precision we've come to expect from just about any large SUV wagon these days, and basic in its creature comforts.
The Challenger will feel a bit unwieldy to a first-time driver accustomed to a small, current-generation SUV, what with its slow steering, its firm, no-nonsense ride and the high noise levels.
The Challenger nevertheless points and handles acceptably, within built-in limitations, and the four-cylinder engine copes well with the two-tonne kerb weight – although there were times when it was a little slow to gather its wits and accelerate away from traffic lights.
The five-speed auto generally makes a good fist of finding the appropriate gears – a job made easier by the torquey nature of the engine. We did find the cruise control a little erratic in its ability to hold a chosen speed – not something commonly experienced with a high-compression diesel.
On test, we averaged 10.1L/100km, which was not hugely distant from the official 9.0 ADR Combined claim.
In the upmarket (we use the term loosely) LS version tested here there were a few attempts at gentrifying the interior such as the power-adjusted, leather-trimmed seating (with touches of leather also on the gearshift, paddle shifters, parking brake and gearbox transfer lever), rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, an electrochromatic rearview mirror and a rear cargo blind.
There's little to like in Mitsubishi's sat-nav system, which is quite counter intuitive to use, and the steering wheel is adjustable for height only, which could bring compromises in the seating position for some people. The seats themselves have a bit more shape than the flat rear bench though, and proved comfortable enough on two-hour trips during our tenure.
All that said, the Challenger's long cabin means there's plenty of legroom in both front and back, while the rear cargo area offers a comforting amount of space for those who like to load up their wagons at the hardware store, or throw in a couple of mountain bikes for a day in the bush. It's not the best in category, but it's better than your average SUV.
Inherited from the Triton is a tendency to be a bit long and narrow, though, which tightens up shoulder room in the (flat) back seat and places a lateral limit on cargo space. It's all accessed by a lift-up tailgate and, while the underslung spare obviates any need to unpack everything in the case of a puncture, it does tend to raise the floor height, meaning a bit of extra heft is required when putting heavier items into the back.
The Challenger gets a four-star ANCAP safety rating with six airbags and a full complement of electronics to keep it steady and on-track.
In all, the Mitsubishi Challenger appeals as an honest, tough wagon that offers a greater degree of flexibility than your average mid-size to large SUV today – and is not overly expensive to operate at the same time.
It could do with a better fuel capacity than 70 litres, but that's not a huge issue for the more adventurous off-roaders who will invariably stack in at least one jerry can for a long trip.
2014 Mitsubishi Challenger LS pricing and specifications:
Price: $49,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 131kW/350Nm
Transmission: Five-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 259g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Four-star ANCAP
| What we liked: | Not so much: |
| >> Passenger space | >> Counter intuitive sat-nav |
| >> Off-road credentials | >> Unwieldy steering |
| >> Reasonable fuel economy | >> Primitive engine |
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Written byTim Britten
See all articlesOur team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
59/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
11/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
16/20
Safety & Technology
10/20
Behind the Wheel
10/20
X-Factor
12/20
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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