Mitsubishi Grandis to return as Renault-based SUV

02/20/2025 06:00 PM

The Mitsubishi Grandis name will be revived later this year, 15 years after it was last used.

Mitsubishi has announced the 2026 Grandis will debut in Europe in July as its next model built by its Alliance partner Renault, following the Australia-bound ASX small SUV and Europe-only Colt hatch.

The Mitsubishi Grandis was sold in Australia between 2004 and 2010 as a seven-seat people mover, replacing the earlier Chariot, which was marketed in Australia as the Mitsubishi Nimbus until 2003.

After a 15-year hiatus, the Grandis will transform into a small SUV based on the Renault Symbioz, which is an elongated version of the Renault Captur – the vehicle the new Mitsubishi ASX is based on – with five or seven seats.

Mild-hybrid and full-hybrid options have been confirmed for Europe, along with a full suite of advanced driver-assistance systems and a version of Renault’s Android Automotive-based operating system with Google built-in apps.

The Grandis is the next name in Mitsubishi’s back catalogue to be reused for a new model, after the 2017-present Eclipse Cross SUV, the short-lived 2021-23 Airtrek EV for China, and the 2023-present Colt based on the Renault Clio.

Mitsubishi has also marketed the current ASX as the RVR in Japan and Canada since 2010, reviving the name used between 1992 and 2002 for a small five-seat people-mover based on the Nimbus.

It is likely the Grandis will have a similar front end to the European ASX – which has a restyled grille over the Renault Captur it’s based on – while a teaser appears to show its rear will look identical to the Symbioz but with Mitsubishi badging.

The Renault Symbioz – which has not been confirmed for Australia but is built in right-hand drive – measures 4.4 metres long, matching the Toyota Corolla Cross and Nissan Qashqai small SUVs.

It could give Mitsubishi Australia an indirect replacement to the Eclipse Cross – which is slightly larger at 4.5 metres – as stock is expected to run dry at the end of the year as it does not meet incoming safety standards, along with the current ASX and Pajero Sport.

The new-generation Mitsubishi ASX is the only European-built, Renault-derived passenger vehicle confirmed for Australian showrooms so far, with local arrivals due in the second half of 2025.

Mitsubishi will unveil another SUV based on a Renault for the European market later this year, with the brand to sell its own version of the Renault Scenic E-Tech electric small SUV. Its name has not been confirmed.

Using the Renault Symbioz it is based on as a guide, the Grandis should offer a 624-litre boot capacity with its second-row bench seat slid completely forward, and up to 1582 litres with the second-row folded flat.

Available features should include a 10.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, a Harman Kardon audio system, a digital instrument cluster, ambient interior lighting, a tinted glass sunroof, front and rear autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and six airbags.

More details on the 2026 Mitsubishi Grandis small SUV will be confirmed when it debuts in Europe in July.

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