ZIMOCO is lining up a major new arrival for Zimbabwean families. The Mitsubishi Destinator has been officially confirmed for the local market, with its Zimbabwe launch scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
Positioned as a premium, family-focused seven-seater SUV, the Destinator will sit between the Mitsubishi Xpander and the larger Outlander.
It is aimed at buyers who want the added space, stance and comfort of an SUV — without moving into the Outlander’s price and size class.
Zimoco says the Destinator’s role is straightforward: deliver midsize-SUV ease and urban-friendly dimensions, but add the flexibility of a third row for bigger households and occasional extra passengers.
“We’re bringing in a vehicle that speaks directly to the needs of Zimbabwean families — space, comfort, and versatility, without losing the premium feel customers now expect,” said Tafadzwa Nyabuta, Marketing Officer at Zimoco.
“The Destinator is designed to bridge an important gap in our line-up, and we’re excited to introduce it in early 2026.”
Where it fits in the market
In local terms, the Destinator is expected to appeal to buyers who might otherwise look at the Toyota RAV4 but need the utility of seven seats.
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Zimoco notes that it is roughly RAV4-sized, yet configured to carry more people when required — ideal for school runs, church trips, airport collections and extended-family travel.
It also arrives as Zimbabwe’s SUV market continues to shift toward vehicles that blend ground clearance and road presence with comfort and tech features that, not long ago, were limited to more expensive segments.
While the final local model line-up and pricing are still to be confirmed, the Destinator is expected to be positioned below the Mitsubishi Outlander, giving families a new step-up option in the showroom.
Turbo petrol with CVT simplicity
Although Zimoco has not yet released the final Zimbabwe specification sheet, regional information points to a consistent mechanical package across the range.
The Destinator is expected to be powered by a 1,5-litre four-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine (4B40), producing 120 kW and 250 Nm.
Those outputs suggest a focus on usable mid-range performance for everyday driving — particularly when carrying passengers or travelling with luggage — without the fuel appetite of larger engines.
Drive is sent to the front wheels via a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
For family buyers, the appeal of a CVT is usually smoothness and relaxed cruising, especially in stop-start city traffic and on longer highway trips.
Built for mixed surfaces
One of the key numbers for Zimbabwean roads is the claimed 214mm ground clearance. That extra height can make a real difference on imperfect city streets, broken edges, speed humps, gravel detours and rural access roads.
The Destinator is also expected to feature five selectable drive modes — normal, tarmac, gravel, wet and mud.
While it remains a front-wheel-drive SUV, these modes are intended to optimise traction and stability in changing conditions, particularly during the rainy season or when travelling on mixed surfaces outside major centres.
Cabin practicality
The Destinator’s main selling point is its standard seven-seat layout, aimed at households that want one vehicle capable of doing more.
The second row is expected to use a 40:20:40 split-folding design, allowing owners to combine passengers with longer items through the centre section.
The third row is expected to fold 50:50, making it easy to switch between people-carrying and extra cargo space, depending on the day’s needs.
For many buyers, that flexibility is the point: the third row does not have to be used every day, but it is there when family plans change.
Tech and comfort
Based on homologation units and global trims (GLX, GLS and GT), upper variants are likely to bring a more premium cabin feel than buyers may expect in this part of the market.
Expected highlights include a 12,3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8,0-inch digital driver display, and a Yamaha premium audio system on higher specifications.
Features confirmed for the local market include a panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting and dual-zone climate control — details that will matter to buyers who want their family SUV to feel modern and well-finished.
Driver assistance for everyday use
High-spec Destinator models are expected to feature Mitsubishi Motors Safety Sensing, the brand’s driver-assistance suite. Anticipated systems include adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning and forward collision mitigation — features that can reduce fatigue on long-distance travel and add confidence in busy traffic.
What happens next
With the launch set for Q1 2026, Zimbabwean motorists can expect more detail from Zimoco in the coming months, including final trim grades, complete specifications and official pricing.
“As we approach launch, we’ll share full local specifications and pricing, but customers can expect a well-equipped, family-focused SUV that offers excellent value in its class,” Nyabuta said.
