Mitsubishi Vehicles at the Middle East Car of The Year Awards

Those of you who have been following our journey would know that YallaMotor is part of the jury panel for the prestigious Middle East Car of The Year awards. This annual event brings together respected journalists from across the Middle East to rate vehicles and select the ultimate Car of The Year, making it a fun and exciting event for manufacturers, dealers, and jurors alike.

This year, Mitsubishi Motors Middle East invited us to meet their team and drive four of their nominated vehicles:

• ASX
• Montero Sport
• Outlander PHEV
• L200 pick-up truck

The day began with a scenic helicopter tour across Dubai, followed by a fabulous lunch at the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, and concluded with a press conference before we divided into groups for the activities.

Off-Road Drive in the Montero Sport

Our adventure began with a guided off-road drive at the nearby Al Qudra desert in the Montero Sport. Although we weren’t allowed to drive, Ashfaq the marshal skillfully demonstrated the capabilities of the Japanese SUV as he navigated through rutted paths and challenging dunes. The Montero Sport tackled the terrain with ease, utilizing its linear power delivery without the need for Low range or the rear differential lock.

Driving Experience with the Outlander PHEV

Next, we jumped into the Outlander PHEV, where we took the wheel on tarmac. While it resembled a typical SUV, the PHEV's gear lever was quite different from the standard P, R, N, D setup. However, once we got it in motion, the advantages of the PHEV powertrain became apparent.

A PHEV differs from a regular hybrid in several key ways:

• The petrol engine can charge the batteries, providing three drive modes.
• In a traditional hybrid, batteries charge primarily during braking or deceleration, with limited driver control.
• The PHEV allows for up to 65 kilometers of driving in EV mode at speeds of up to 130 km/h without using fuel.

The Refreshed ASX

The refreshed ASX, making its debut at the Dubai International Motor Show, closely follows Mitsubishi's design language, resembling both the Montero Sport and the L200 more than ever. The bold front end features chrome embellishments and sharper edges, while the rear taillights have received a modern upgrade. As a mid-size crossover, the ASX remains an excellent choice for small families, now enhanced with new upgrades.

Montero Sport vs. Pajero

The Montero Sport, a strong competitor to the Toyota Fortuner, is a 7-seater SUV based on the L200 pick-up truck. While the Pajero also offers a 7-seater option, the Montero Sport is marketed as the more rugged choice, with a newer interior featuring better materials and technology.

Despite its 3.0-liter engine, the Montero Sport never feels underpowered. Its 8-speed automatic transmission is expertly tuned to deliver sufficient power when needed. On regular roads, the Montero Sport absorbs bumps effectively and is incredibly easy to drive, providing excellent outward visibility.

Driving the L200

The commercial L200, which we drove at the end of the day, was a highlight of the event. It's uncommon for us to access such vehicles, making it all the more enjoyable. The L200 is a commercial workhorse characterized by its toughness, ruggedness, and bouncy ride, yet it remains incredibly enjoyable to drive. Featuring a 5-speed manual transmission, the L200 is a favorite among fleet buyers for good reason.

On the whole, it was a pleasure to meet the team behind one of the largest brands in the Middle East and experience their impressive line-up of vehicles. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to get the scorecards out and begin marking…