The Good: Great amount of space inside, available diesel engines (naturally aspirated and with VGT) in the used car market, rides like a car
The Bad: Soft suspension, soft looks, somewhat limited utility
The Say: A pick-up truck for the city dweller, but for more utility and off-road capability other choices are better.
Go For: GLX/GLX-V
Avoid:
Price Range: P565,000-P900,000
Our Rating: ***
Full Review: Used Car Review - Mitsubishi Strada (2006-2015)
Latest vehicle profile: Mitsubishi Strada
See the different versions of this vehicle:
2006-2009
2009-2015 (non-VGT)/(VGT)
Vehicle Overview
The Strada/Triton/L200 lineage started in 1978 which had spawned five generations throughout selling life. Early iterations had rebadged versions sold under Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth badges (due to Chrysler's stake in the three diamond brand) sold in North America while the latest model can be had in Europe using a Fiat name. Locally, it replaced the long due L200 series after years of shouldering on and rivals shifted to CRDi engines.
With nine years in the market, Mitsubishi provided updates for the exterior and interior to keep up with the times and making the vehicle fresh from rivals. First GLX 4x4 models can be distinguished by their black bumpers while the GLS 4x4 had body colored ones. GL models wear steel wheels and lack side step board and fog lamp while special edition models that were launched in 2014 for the GLX and GLS Sport V had exterior add ons to distinguish them from their regular counterparts.
Most Strada models wear the 2.5 which is shared with other Mitsubishi vehicles in either two flavors: one with 134hp for the GL and GLX models which performs enough and the second one has 176hp and this was available among GLX-V and GLS Sport-V units that provide a wide range of rpm with power on the upper range. The other choice of engine is a 3.2 diesel that rivals the VGT variants in terms of power and acceleration. Ride quality is excellent, which is a refreshing change among rivals that are known for their bouncy rides. Driving this one on a straight path is fine but mountainous roads and anything in between will give you trouble due to slow steering, soft suspension, and less than stellar braking.
A breath of fresh air is going inside, this truck has a car-like interior which is one advantage. Early models utilized a JVC headunit with later ones (except the GL) having touchscreen monitor with DVD and navigation functions.
What Should I Get
Let us go to the basic model of the Strada range, the GL which has the 134hp 2.5, steel wheels, black door handles and side mirrors, fabric seats, CD player (MP3 function added later on) and power steering for the 4x2 models while a 4x4 version was added in 2011 which added all power features. We pick the GLX that was added in August 2007 which adds alloy wheels, dual airbags, fog lamps, bed liner, step boards, all power features, alarm, keyless entry, CD player with MP3 function, and paired to a manual transmission with options such as ABS brakes, steering wheel audio controls, Bluetooth, and a touchscreen monitor added in February 2011. Its automatic offspring, the GLX-V adds the 176hp 2.5 and a back-up camera but is 2WD. The GLX 4x4, first launched in September 2006, is based on what would be the 4x2 model (minus the black bumpers) later on while the GLS 4x4 adds ABS brakes, fender flares, tire pressure monitor system, rear bumper, power rear glass and multi information display which can be had in both manual or automatic and was discontinued with the arrival of the VGT models in 2011. The top of the line GLS Sport can be had in either 163hp 3.2 (2007 to 2010) or the 176hp 2.5 (2011 to 2015 adding a V name in the end), is 4x4 exclusive, and for April 2014, a dual lift cargo bed cover was added. A related vehicle, the L200 is made available in 2012 in either single cab or FB variants whose specifications are similar with the GL 4x2. Two limited edition models sprouted in 2014 for the GLX and GLS Sport-V with these get a bedliner, skid plates, bed cover, side graphics, and multi information system.
How Much Would It Cost Me
Maintenance costs for this vehicle is comparable to most Japanese rivals plus parts availability is wide with the engine being shared with other models in the Mitsubishi range. Problem points of this vehicle include the following: suction control valve for early models, alarm, squeaking leaf springs, and the undercarriage. Two vehicle recalls were issued for the following: in June 2010 for tightening the torque of the mounting bolts of the upper suspension arm for units sold from September 2006 to June 2009, and both in August 2013 for weld condition of the front suspension lower arm for units sold between 2011 to 2012, and the weld condition of the front propeller shaft for 4WD models.
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