Mitsubishi Express – What you need to know

With Mitsubishi joining the Renault-Nissan alliance commonality of models across the brands, was always going to prevail. The Mitsubishi Express van is one example of this and while it wears the three-diamond badge of Mitsubishi, it’s basically a re-badged Renault Trafic.

Just one trim level – GLX – is offered in both short (SWB) and long wheelbase (LWB) layouts. Your choices are limited to a six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic along with a single or twin-turbo diesel engine.

Priced from $38,490 plus on-road costs, the short wheelbase, manual 1.6-litre turbo GLX has the following as standard:

Options are limited to exterior colours of which there are four, white, black, red or platinum grey. Red and white are both solid colours, but the other two colours are metallic paints, attracting an additional charge of $740.

All models come with five airbags, ABS brakes with emergency brake assist, hill-start assist, traction and stability controls, trailer stability assist, rollover mitigation, cruise control with an adjustable speed limiter and a handy blind spot mirror.

Should you desire the extra security of a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlights and an auto dimming rear view mirror, order the GLX with the 2.0-litre turbo diesel. Doing so means you also get the auto transmission in either wheelbase length. 

A word of warning at this point: ANCAP has tested the Mitsubishi Express and controversially rated it at zero stars. Mitsubishi and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries have both refuted the crash safety authority's findings, but as it's a sticking point, consumers are entitled to make an informed purchasing decision.

It’s doubtful you’ll be overwhelmed by the infotainment tech in the Mitsubishi Express, so it’s not like you’ll need the help of a teenager to sort it, as it’s pretty basic. You get two USB ports, an audio input jack, AM/FM/DAB radio, Bluetooth for the phone that can be voice controlled, music streaming, a couple of speakers and that is it.    

Things are looking brighter when it comes to conveniences, with the Mitsubishi Express featuring auto door locks, central locking and keyless entry. The power windows are all auto up and down and the steering column is both tilt and telescopic adjustable. You also get three cup holders and two bottle holders in the three-up cabin.

Halogen lights look after you when it gets dark and when you are carrying a decent weight in the back you can manually level the headlights. If you live in climes susceptible to fog the 2.0-litre GLX in either configuration gets you additional lighting in the form of front and rear fog lights. Daytime running lights are standard across the range.

Two side sliding doors and a pair of rear barn doors make the express very functional to load and unload in even the tightest of spots, and the rear bumper has a built-in step to make life easier.

In both short and long wheelbase layouts the Mitsubishi Express GLX is offered with a 1.6-litre twin-turbo diesel engine that produces 103kW and 340Nm, and is bolted to a six-speed manual gearbox.

If you don’t want to kick a clutch pedal, the six-speed dual clutch automatic is available in both wheelbase sizes and comes with the more powerful single turbo 2.0-litre engine delivering 125 kilowatts and 380 newton metres.

Once you have decided which wheelbase suits your needs, the next thing to select is the transmission and the ease of an auto versus the dollar savings of the manual at purchase.

There isn’t a gaping chasm in terms of equipment levels between the short and long wheelbase variants but the bigger engine will make lighter work of carrying a load.

As I don’t want my left leg to tire from endlessly jumping on the clutch pedal, I’d go for the 2.0-litre auto in long wheelbase trim. Even if I didn’t need the big one all the time, I just know there will be those few occasions I’d curse myself for buying the shorty.  

What does the Mitsubishi Express cost?
Express GLX 1.6 Litre Twin Turbo SWB Manual – $38,490
Express GLX 1.6 Litre Twin Turbo LWB Manual – $40,490
Express GLX 2.0 Litre Turbo GLX SWB Auto – $42,490
Express GLX 2.0 Litre Turbo GLX LWB Auto – $44,490
* Prices exclude on-road costs