Review
It's hard to feel offended by the Mitsubishi Grandis, but it's equally difficult to feel any measure of excitement. As a full-size seven-seat MPV it offers plenty of room and excellent versatility, but it can't match some of its rivals in terms of either quality or driving appeal.
The angular styling certainly gives the big Mitsubishi an identity that many of its identi-kit rivals lack, but the interior is constructed from some very cheap-feeling materials and the dashboard layout looks and feels old-fashioned. Space is good for occupants in the front and middle rows, and although getting into the rearmost seats is a bit of a struggle, they offer reasonable room for children.
The Grandis's biggest problem is its restricted range of engines. Only two are available, a 2.4 litre petrol motor which gargles fuel at an alarming rate if driven with anything other than a very gentle right foot, and a 2.0 litre diesel which turns in respectable economy, but is loud and crude under hard use.
The rest of the dynamic experience also leaves plenty to be desired, with the Grandis suffering from a lumpy, uncomfortable ride over broken road surfaces, vague steering and an almost total lack of enthusiasm for corners.
Prices are keen, and Mitsubishi dealers are prepared to haggle hard, but the Grandis also suffers from poor residual values and high servicing costs.