The third generation of the pickup range in Mitsubishi was an important step forward for the Japanese carmaker, which gave it a split personality as a workhorse and leisure vehicle.
While its first pickup generation was more of an underpowered Ford Ranchero, the second generation was the transition toward a 4x4 utility vehicle. Also, it tried to adapt it and make it friendlier with its users and gave them a few comfort features. But the third one was designed right from the start as a true, multipurpose vehicle.

Its design showed softer edges and curved lines over the front end and door panels. But it didn’t forget its origins and tried to be also a rugged, go-anywhere vehicle. The carmaker made it available as a Single-Cab, Crew-Cab and Double-Cab, with the former being offered as the entry-level version with the longest bed.

Inside, the base version also offered a blue-collar interior, with cloth seats, cranked windows and plastics hard and badly finished. But, at the end of the day, that vehicle had the job done without complaints. It could carry one metric ton and still didn’t complain about minimum wage or lunch break. Unlike its bigger brothers, who offered wider cabins, the single-cab version provided room for two with a center console between them and a gear-stick that popped up through the floor. Depending on the trim level and version, it could have been fitted with air-conditioning and power windows and mirrors.

Under the hood, Mitsubishi installed a 2.5-liter turbo-diesel engine paired with a five-speed manual. Depending on the market, it was available with a rear or 4x4 system with a low-range gear.