THE Mitsubishi Strada is one of the oldest pickups being sold in the country to date. It first carried the name L-200 back in the 1990s. The Strada nameplate was only adopted in the succeeding models.
In other countries, the Strada is also known as the Triton in Australia and Japan. It is called the Sportero and Hunter in Israel.
The latest iteration of the Strada represents the fifth generation. It is interesting to note that the second, third and fourth generations were all marketed here. The fourth generation, however, introduced in 2005 was designed by Akinori Nakanishi and it was built exclusively in Thailand, which was exported in 140 global markets. This model became a hit as it carried an aerodynamic look as opposed to the truckish offerings of the other manufacturers.
Nakanishi’s design cue was carried over in the fifth and current generation, Fiat’s Fullback pickup sold in European and Middle East markets, which are basically a rebadged Strada/L-200.
For the 2017 model, Mitsubishi equipped the Strada with the same engine as those found under the hood of its sibling, Montero. The 2.4-liter diesel engine with MIVEC, although the older (4D56) diesel engine with VGT, is still sold alongside the new one.
Nakanishi’s aerodynamic design remains unique to this day despite the onslaught of newer offerings in the market. To an untrained eye, one can easily dismiss the new model as just a carryover of the previous one, except for the redesigned front and rear, but it would be hard to miss the fact that it has grown tremendously in length and a little bit in width, but it retains the identical height.
The Strada is 6.7 inches longer than the previous model, 0.2 inch wider and is still 70.1 inches tall to be exact. Exterior design updates that differentiate it from the model it replaces include a new grille, a pair of new headlamps—now with daytime running lights—even the bumper was redesigned. Meanwhile, the rear now features a new set of taillights that extends to the side and a new tail gate.
The top-of-the-line 4×4 GT model has a blacked-out grille, a bull bar upfront that has a provision for additional fog lamps and a sports bar installed at the bed. The bed itself has grown larger and deeper, thereby increasing its carrying capacity.
The step board is also black to match the color of the accessories. The skid plate has the insignia of Mitsubishi’s aftermarket accessory provider Ralliart.
The increase in length benefited the interior space. The Strada now features the roomiest interior in the market today. The leather-clad steering wheel still has the unique paddle shifters. The driver’s seat with an automatic eight-way adjustment feature and the passenger seats are all in leather, as well. This matches the piano black finish dashboard and silver accents on the air-con vents very well.
The Multimedia entertainment system plays everything from movies, mp3 and it is equipped with USB port and Bluetooth. Other noteworthy features include a deep-center console and a big storage behind the folding rear seat big enough to swallow a camera bag, a computer backup and a tripod.
There is also a rain-sensing windshield wipers, push start/stop button and a keyless entry equipped with an immobilizer.
Safety-wise, the new Strada is equipped with a total of six air bags and when combined with the RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) design of the body, this is one of the safest pickups in the Philippines.
The 2.4-liter four-cylinder DOHC 16-valves diesel engine now features the MIVEC technology (Mitsubishi’s Innovative Valve Timing and Electronic Control), which is available only in gasoline variant. It is equipped with a Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) that helps the Strada to achieve its Euro-4 clean rating.
The 4N15 is lighter than the 4D56 but is more powerful with 181hp and 430 N-m of torque. The new engine delivers power like its gasoline counterpart, double-digit speeds were easily achieved without breaking a sweat, even when it was loaded. Though it only has a five-speed automatic shifter, it was a perfect match for the engine providing the right gearing every time.
The double wishbone with coil spring and stabilizer bar suspension upfront and the rigid elliptic rear spring with telescopic shocks at the rear return a soft ride even when the vehicle is not loaded—a boon for those who hate the bouncy ride of similar pickups.
My only gripe about this wonderful pickup, which recently won the 2016-2017 4×4 Pickup of the Year Award from the Car Awards Group Inc., are the tires shod on its fancy diamond cut mag wheels.
The 2017 4×4 Mitsubishi Strada GT with five-speed automatic is currently priced at P1.655 million.
Image credits: Patrick Tulfo