- Mitsubishi revealed the Grandis, an electrified compact SUV aimed at European family buyers.
- The Grandis is a rebadged Renault Symbioz with minor exterior and branding adjustments..
- It will be sold in Europe with a selection of hybrid and mild-hybrid powertrain options.
Mitsubishi is steadily broadening its European portfolio with models built on Renault underpinnings and equipped with electrified drivetrains. Its latest addition is the Grandis, a compact family SUV that shares its platform and much of its design with the Renault Symbioz.
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The Grandis name, originally used for a three-row minivan sold from 2003 to 2011, makes a return, this time on a two-row SUV. Derived from Latin for “large and impressive,” the name now belongs to a stretched, more spacious version of the facelifted Mitsubishi ASX, itself a rebadged Renault Captur. While Mitsubishi has added a few styling tweaks to set it apart from its French counterpart, the new Grandis is, for the most part, a straightforward rebadge.
Familiar Shape, Mitsubishi Details
The front end is nearly identical to the smaller ASX, with a glossy black grille and satin silver accents. The headlights are shared with the Symbioz, but the DRLs have a slightly different lightning signature. Likewise, the profile is carried over from the French twin with the exception of the 19-inch alloy wheels and Mitsubishi’s own “Hybrid EV” badges mounted on the doors.
Around back, we find the Mitsubishi to look more stylish than the French SUV it is based on. The new taillights wouldn’t look out of place in a new Mitsubishi Evo performance sedan, while the redesigned tailgate has strong dynamic lines. Still, the bumper with the fake vents is a carry-over part.
Mitsubishi
Open the doors and the similarities continue. The interior is identical to the Renault version, save for the Mitsubishi logo on the steering wheel. The cabin seats five, with a boot that holds between 434 and 566 liters (15.3 to 20 cubic feet), depending on the position of the sliding rear bench. Equipment highlights include a power remote tailgate, a panoramic glass roof with electrochromic dimming, a 10.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features.
Renault
Underneath, the Grandis rides on an extended version of Renault–Nissan’s CMF-B platform. Buyers will have a choice between mild-hybrid and full-hybrid configurations. The base option is a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine with mild-hybrid support, producing 138 hp (103 kW / 140 PS). This version sends power to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
More: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Returns But It’ll Be As Japanese As A Croissant
The new SUV is also available with Renault’s updated self-charging hybrid system. It combines a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter engine with two electric motors, a multi-mode gearbox, and a 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery. Together, the system produces 154 hp (115 kW / 156 PS), once again driving only the front wheels.
European Launch and Local Production
Production of the Grandis will take place at Renault’s Valladolid facility in Spain, where it will be built alongside the Symbioz. It will roll out gradually across European markets starting later this year. Notably, it will be followed by the arrival of a fully electric Eclipse Cross, closely related to the Renault Scenic E-Tech.
“Following the launch of the Outlander PHEV last year, we are strengthening our lineup in the European market with the introduction of the all-new Grandis, featuring Mitsubishi Motors’ Dynamic Shield design”, said Tatsuo Nakamura, executive vice president of Mitsubishi Motors. “With an additional launch of the Eclipse Cross BEV model around the same time, we will offer a diverse range of electrified vehicles -HEV, PHEV, and BEV – to meet the varied needs of our customers.”
