Anyone in South Africa considering the recently launched Mitsubishi Destinator as a new family car will need to earn at least R52,000 per month to afford it on a finance plan, according to TopAuto’s calculations.
The Destinator is expected to arrive in South Africa any day now and will add to the Japanese brand’s increasing local line-up, joining the Triton, Xpander Cross and Outlander Sport.
Despite its arrival going relatively under the radar, the Destinator arrived with a price tag starting at R489,990, which includes a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a 5-year/75,000km service plan.
Mitsubishi have fitted the SUV with a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol motor, which produces 120kW and 250Nm. This power is sent to its front wheels via a CVT gearbox.
Cementing the Destinator as an adventure SUV is its ‘rally-bred’ Active Yaw Control, which allows for no less than five drive modes, namely Normal, Wet, Gravel, Mud, and Tarmac.
Defining its exterior are 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels, a honeycomb-patterned inner grille behind a transparent acrylic surface, T-shaped LED lighting, and a rear spoiler.
Inside, the seven-seater features soft-touch materials and fabric seats, which are upgraded to synthetic leather in the pricier Exceed variant.
A 4.2-inch multi-information driver display is joined by an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the GLS model, upgraded to an 8-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch infotainment unit in the Exceed.
Both models feature six airbags, active and passive ADAS systems, including active stability control, electronic brake distribution, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, traction control, and hill start assist.
The salary you need to earn
The following formula can be used to work out the monthly repayments on the new Mitsubishi Destinator:
- Car price – R489,990/R569,990
- Payment term – 60 terms (5 years)
- Interest – 10.25%
- Deposit – 0%
- Balloon – No balloon payment
- Extras – No optional extras
If you consider this calculation, you will need to pay at least R10,564.10 per month for the all-new Mitsubishi Destinator GLS, or R12,273.72 per month for the Exceed.
Because financial experts recommend that car buyers not spend more than 20% of their gross monthly salary on vehicle payments, you will need to earn between R52,800 and R61,500 per month to afford the SUV on a finance plan.
It must be noted that this calculation does not account for the additional vehicle ownership expenses, including insurance and maintenance costs, as well as fuel and other running costs, which all need to be considered.
