The current Mitsubishi Strada is the latest iteration of a pickup which marked its 40th birthday last year. The midsize truck is produced at Mitsubishi’s state-of-the-art Laem Chabang plant in Thailand.
There have been five generations of Mitsubishi pickups since the first model—a diminutive truck called the Forte—debuted in 1978. So while some may refer to the newest one as a sixth-generation pickup, it is also more of a heavily updated and face-lifted new model that can be dubbed “version 5.5.”
When viewed from the front, the new truck looks absolutely all new. The new Strada now sports familial cues that bring about a very strong resemblance to the highly popular Xpander MPV—the latter particularly in the headlight/foglight treatment.
The side, though, reveals, an almost identical view to the previous model. The doors and rear fenders seem to have been carried over, right down to the J-shaped openings of the rear doors that have become a styling trademark for the Strada since the fourth-generation model.
The rear end is likewise very similar, although the new model’s taillights now have a simpler and cleaner shape and design.
Globally the Strada, also known as L200 or Triton in other countries, is Mitsubishi’s second bestselling model after the Outlander SUV. It is obviously a highly strategic model for the company. The Strada is marketed in the ASEAN and Oceania regions, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Latin America—over 150 countries around the globe—with sales targets of over 180,000 units per year.
On the occasion of the Strada’s world premiere in Bangkok late last year, Mitsubishi Motors CEO Osamu Masuko stated, “The new L200/Strada is one of our most important global strategic models and its success is vital to the company’s sustainable growth. The new model brings enhancements to the durability, reliability and comfort developed over the 40 years since the introduction of the series. I am fully confident the new L200/Strada will meet the diverse needs and wishes of our customers around the world.”
The new Strada has been developed to embody Mitsubishi’s Engineered Beyond Tough catch phrase, which underlined its creation. Elements making it significantly more competitive include a more powerful styling that incorporates the latest iteration of the Dynamic Shield front design concept, an enhanced 4WD system that delivers improved off-road performance, and the latest in active safety and driver assistance systems.
The Strada’s spacious cabin has been restyled to express a modern, carlike design with framed surrounds for the switch panel and air outlets. A luxury feel is created by soft pad materials and stitching on the floor console, armrests and parking brake. Interior build quality and overall fit and finish are impressively high.
The 4WD variants are fitted with either Super-Select 4WD, which delivers optimum traction and handling characteristics for any given surface; or Easy-Select 4WD, which simplifies switching between drive modes for different road surfaces.
Both Super-Select and Easy-Select 4WD systems use a new Off-road Mode which has GRAVEL, MUD/SNOW, SAND and ROCK (in 4LLc only) settings. When engaged, Off-road Mode integrally controls engine power, transmission and braking to regulate the amount of wheel slip and thereby maximize all-terrain performance and self-extraction performance in mud or snow.
The new Strada retains the current model’s robust ladder frame and high-impact-safety cabin structure while featuring class-leading advanced active safety and driver-assistance systems. On-road and even off-road performance defy the usual pickup’s harsh ride. In terms of refinement, riding comfort, and dynamic performance, the Strada is easily among the top—if not the outright top—in its class.
Systems providing all-direction safety and reassurance include Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), which can detect vehicles and pedestrians ahead; Blind Spot Warning (BSW with LCA), which helps avoid sideswiping another vehicle when changing lanes by detecting vehicles behind or at the rear quarter and alerting the driver with an audible alert and flashing light in their door mirror; Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) which, in the same way, helps avoid collisions when reversing; Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS) which reduces accidents resulting from inadvertent use of the accelerator when moving off or reversing in car parks and other confined spaces.
Providing convenient driver assistance are the Multi Around Monitor, which generates a bird’s eye view image of the area around the vehicle, and Parking Sensors.
Braking performance and feel are improved with the use of larger front discs and caliper pistons while riding comfort is improved with the use of larger rear dampers which contain more damping oil.
The current model’s five-speed automatic makes way for a new six-speed auto for higher refinement and better fuel efficiency.
