Filipinos are spoilt for choice in the seven-seater segment. We still have the truck-based progenitors, even with their raw and rough personality, and plenty of compact models retrofitted with a third row. These are all family movers by design, but in real-life conditions, the former lacks comfort while the latter is short on space.

That makes the introduction of the Destinator refreshing even in this crowded seven-seater segment. Two things I immediately like about it are its size and unibody platform. It is long for a typical crossover, but in a spacious-for-the-family-and-not-hard-to-maneuver way and, most importantly, very comfortable.

Mitsubishi has one of the most streamlined options of any auto brand in the Philippines, so it’s nice to see it expand with a boxier model that takes more after the Pajero — in terms of shape and stance in my opinion — than one of its more recent offerings, the X-Force.

The Destinator has so many geometric shapes that it is hard to miss on the road. The new version of the Dynamic Shield fascia has some covered cells, which may trick you into thinking it’s a hybrid, but it’s not. It looks good, though. On either side are T-shaped auto LED headlamps with LED daytime running lamps and LED fog lamps. The rear has T-shaped LED taillights too, a clean and square design named Hexaguard Horizon. It sits on angular 18-inch alloy wheels, offers a respectable 214-mm of ground clearance for a crossover, and has a surprisingly light tailgate.

It is definitely one of the more attractive crossovers today. It has a youthful aura and an ultra-modern design that appeals to couples and families that are just starting out. Several small touches enhance its appeal, such as the blacked-out D-pillar, wraparound cladding, and a rear spoiler.

I’ve always preferred a black (or dark) interior as it doesn’t get dirty quickly, and like all Mitsubishis, the cockpit is easy on the eyes. There isn’t a feature that forces you to go button-hunting. All are intuitively positioned and clearly labeled. The fabric seats are manually adjustable, but the multi-function steering wheel is leather-wrapped.

It has a dual-zone climate control system, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with six speakers, and second and third-row vents. Aside from a Type-C port, I like that it has USB Type-A ports (on all rows), allowing me to use even old cables. It also has a charging pad, and best of all, wireless CarPlay. Unfortunately, it easily gets disrupted when I pass through areas with high RF interference. Some auto brands with the same feature don’t have a similar problem. Mitsubishi should do so in a software update because, without a wired CarPlay option, music stops while the navigation disappears. My favorite thing about the cabin is the second-row tables, where I actually had lunch one time. The third row is best for kids.

All conventional engines of seven-seater crossovers I drove strained audibly and struggled to accelerate. Not the Destinator’s 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four. It felt more responsive than a 2-liter, and the noise suppression elements of the crossover silenced the engine roar and other external noises, which made the cabin feel almost luxury-level. Drive goes to the front wheels via a Continuously Variable Transmission. As expected, the non-electrified powertrain returned 8.52-km/l in bumper-to-bumper conditions and 12.31-km/l on the highway. As a mid-spec trim, its advanced driver-assist system only has a blind-spot monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

I can’t say enough about the unibody platform of the Destinator. It made this crossover one of the most family-friendly seven-seaters I have driven in a while. It was comfortable, quiet, and the aircon worked cooler than I expected. Dads will love how it is very easy to handle due to its light steering and high turning radius. Moms will love the roominess, including the cooling center floor console and an underfloor organizer.

For all it offers, I’m surprised the Destinator GLS only goes for P1.599 million. That’s plenty affordable and would be an excellent choice for a big family looking for a modern and spacious vehicle from a brand even your dad’s dad knows.