Mitsubishi: Extra sprogs and bogs? Bring it on

Mitsi's All-Terrain system meant the Challenger worked well even on a waterlogged, grassy side-slope. Photo / Jacqui Madelin

Ideally we'd have taken Mitsubishi's newest Challenger off-road. After all, it boasts Triton ute underpinnings - albeit with independent in place of leaf-spring rear suspension - a low-range transmission, ladder frame chassis and generous 220mm ground clearance. But on our own ... on a windy and wet weekend? Nup. Anyway, most buyers will do what we did. Load the kids in for daily errands, with the odd weekend trip thrown in.

Our trip was from Wellington to Woodville for the NZ motocross GP, on a waterlogged weekend that saw the riders sinking deep into endless mud, and the event cancelled mid-afternoon.

At that point mere mortals kept a tractor busy to tow them to the access track. We engaged four high - four low being overkill for this slop - and tippy-toed out of the venue for the traditional annual icecream shivering on Woodville's main street. The set-up uses Mitsi's All-Terrain system, with super-select 4WD, an electronically lockable diff, stability and traction control that in Triton is almost idiot-proof. So the fact it worked well even on a waterlogged, grassy side-slope should not have come as a surprise.

The day out might have been hard work, but the Challenger was far from.

This is the same 2.5-litre turbo diesel as the Triton, mated to the same five-speed auto with sports mode as Triton's GLS 4WD. The combination does a reasonable job of pushing this over two-ton body along. We had the auto trans, which rarely needed manual mode to get by. Sure, motorway on-ramp acceleration could be quicker, but otherwise there's little to complain about, possibly excepting thirst. Our weekend netted a 12l/100km average. But then the motor had logged just 83km on pick-up and I'd expect both brisker acceleration and better economy once it's bedded in.

In the meantime you can keep an eye on progress - fuel, barometer, height above sea level and more - via a handy trip screen while seated high up in capacious comfort. Open-road handling was reasonable for such a big beast, while around town a tight turning circle and smaller-than-she-looks dimensions were appreciated.

Smaller is relative, of course. The $61,990 Exceed has three rows of seats - or two with a roomy boot for the $56,990 GLS.

Two guinea pigs - a 9-year-old and his 1.8-metre dad - tried both back rows. Predictably enough, row two delivered a ride as comfy as the front seat, and lots of leg room. Less predictably, row three was actually quite useful. Mr 9 could see out and said he'd be happy there the whole trip. Two hours was Dad's limit; longer than we'd expected when settling him back there. So yes, these are genuinely useful seats for kids - or grown-ups, for short periods. And they fold flat to release luggage space, while row two swivel-folds forward out of the way.

Verdict? A handsome family-focused SUV that's reasonably effective both on- and off road.

MITSUBISHI CHALLENGER

We like
Proper four-wheel-drive with reasonable on-road performance and city-friendly dimensions; 10-year engine warranty

We don't like
Challenger could use a rear view camera

Powertrain
2.5-litre direct injection turbo diesel, 133kW at 4000rpm, 356Nm at 1800rpm, five speed auto drives rear or all four wheels

Performance
0-100km/h not available, 9.8l/100km (claim)

Safety
ABS, low range four wheel drive, stability control, six airbags

What it's got
Cruise control, 17-inch alloys, air con, leather seats, side steps, roof rails

Vital stats
4695mm long, up to 1980-litre boot, 70-litre tank, tows 2500kg braked