Mitsubishi Grandis Review
Published: 27th March 2005
Mitsubishi Grandis
Safety and Security 
The Grandis is fitted with driver and passenger front and side airbags as well as curtain airbags for the first and second rows of seats. Further safety features include a four-sensor, three-channel ABS (anti-lock braking system) as well as EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) that apportions braking force to each individual wheel. EBA (emergency brake assist) is also fitted as standard and automatically applies the full effect of the brakes when they are used in an emergency.
Additional safety features include seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters for the front seatbelts, an advanced anti-submarining front seat design that limits forward movement of driver and front passenger during a head-on crash, a new seatback frame and headrest design that protect the neck in a rear-end shunt, anti-intrusion main brake and parking brake pedals for heightened leg protection, Isofix child safety retaining bar on the second row of seats and an automatic locking retractor on the second and third of seats row to facilitate child seat anchorage.
In addition, Grandis Equippe and Elegance models come fitted with MASC Mitsubishi Active Stability Control and MATC Mitsubishi Active Traction Control systems - this system is also known as ESP by some car manufacturers. MASC uses yaw rate and lateral gravity sensors, individual wheel speed sensors and a steering angle sensor. These are linked to the engine control unit which examines the level of position of the accelerator, as well as hydraulic brake actuators. These constantly monitor driver input and vehicle motion, and if they detect a difference between the two, such as over or understeer, they brake the individual wheels to neutralise the situation and, if necessary, limit the engine’s torque. MATC works in a similar fashion, limiting unwanted wheel spin at low speeds by regulating individual wheel speeds.
The Grandis 2.4 Elegance is equipped with an alarm, keyless entry, engine immobiliser, locking wheel nuts, mighty dot security and a visible VIN as standard.
Comfort and Refinement
The Grandis' cabin is spacious with excellent head, leg and shoulder room in both the front and rear. The seats are comfortable and supportive with front seats benefiting from adjustable slide and recline. The recline is adjustable via a lever which was awkward to use as you could easily slip back too far - a dial type adjustment would be better. The drivers seat is height adjustable and the steering wheel is tilt adjustable.
We found the Mitsubishi Grandis Elegance a very comfortable place to be, firstly coupled to the automatic gearbox it is a very easy car to drive; it can accommodate seven people with ease and is user friendly. The leather seats are perfect for family use (easy to wipe down) and for ease of access as you are able to swivel yourself around
The cabin is both functional and ergonomically laid out and all the controls are tactile and intuitive to operate. The dipped beam mechanism is particularly fluid to use. The climate controlled air-conditioning is efficient and very easy to operate via large circular dials. Elegance models also feature dual sunroofs, a manual one at the front and for rear seat passengers an electrically operated one.
The 2.4 Elegance's level of refinement is high and includes: a sunglasses holder, driver’s and passenger’s sunvisors with vanity mirrors, UV reflective glass, digital quartz clock, rear window demister with auto-off timer, exterior temperature display, door courtesy lamps, front and rear, front map reading lamps, rear personal lamps, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors with 6 LED turn lamp and electrically foldable and electric front and rear windows.
How It Looks - Exterior
We loved the exterior styling of the Mitsubishi Grandis and it certainly attracted a lot of attention during with our time with it. The streamline Grandis reminded us of the locomotive streamlining carried out by Sir Nigel Gresley on the Mallard locomotive. The Grandis design team set about creating a sleek and flowing profile with strong rear-view mirror presence and they have certainly succeeded.
Unmistakably a Mitsubishi - the familiar three-diamond logo is incorporated into the front grille and we felt that futuristic Grandis looked like a Mitsubishi Colt on steroids and from the side we could see a resemblance to the Honda Accord Tourer. The rear brake lights and side indicator lamps incorporate bright LED's.
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