When introduced to Australia in 1998, the Mitsubishi Challenger was virtually a Mitsubishi Triton utility with a station wagon body. It was developed as a lower-cost option to the bigger Mitsubishi Pajero and shared some features with it. As it was developed over the years it moved upwards from those humble ute beginnings and became a model in its own right.

Challenger is almost as long and wide as Pajero, but is significantly lower. The lower body gives it a sporty look which is complemented by big wheels and tyres and large guard extensions. This vehicle is certainly sporty-looking vehicle that's built to appeal to the suburban 4WD buyer. It will impress the ‘real’ off-road driver with its rugged build.

Naturally, the Challenger isn’t as sophisticated as the Pajero, but has reasonable on-road comfort for its type and most owners are happy with its characteristics.

Off-road the Challenger is a competent performer. Take it to forest trails and it will cope with ease, same at the beach. It’s only when you want to challenge rocky shelves and really steep slopes that it can struggle at times in comparison with the Pajero.

Luggage space is excellent, with plenty of length and width. There is also plenty of in-cabin storage space.

The Challenger’s engine is the same 3.0-litre V6 unit as is used on upmarket Triton models. Each cylinder has four valves, but they are driven by a single overhead cam, not a twin-cam layout. The engine is willing enough, but is slightly down on torque at everyday revs. So you have to work at gearchanging to keep it working to best advantage.

Not that that's a hassle as the five-speed manual gearbox is light and easy to use. The automatic transmission is a four-speed unit in an era when many new competitors have moved up to five-speed units, but the tranny comes with Mitsubishi’s semi-intelligent change system so that it can be used as a sequential manual.

The Challenger’s V6 powerplant doesn’t sit in front of the highly-regarded Super Select 4WD system fitted to the Mitsubishi Pajero, rather it uses an old-style setup which normally drives the rear wheels only. The two-speed transfer case can be shifted on-the-fly between 2H and 4H at speeds of up to 100 km/h and the front hubs are automatic. So, apart from the inability to use 4WD on sealed roads the system is almost as good as the Super Select one.

The suspension was retuned for Australian driving tastes in the original ute-based model. The downside is a ride which is may be too firm for a some buyers on the original model. It makes the Challenger tiring on a long trip on the typically B-grade bitumen road. Mitsubishi gave the Challenger a bit more class in the suspension department as part of the mid-2000 facelift and mechanical makeover. However, it's still not the most comfortable 4WD on the market.

Spare parts availability is good and we have heard of no complaints about pricing.

Insurance is satisfyingly low due to the simple mechanical makeup of the Challenger and to the fact that it's generally sold to sensible conservative buyers.

Mitsubishi’s long experience in building off-road 4WDs certainly shows in the Challenger. However, it was discontinued in 2007 to make way for lower-cost variants of the Pajero. There has been some speculation it may make a return with the fascinating new body style used in the current Triton, but there's no sign of that so far.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

If you suspect the Challenger has had a lot of use on dirt roads and in off-road conditions make a careful check of the interior fittings as the firm suspension can eventually cause squeaks and rattles.

Look over the cabin for signs of rough usage, being sure to look into all the hidden storage areas for damage that may have been caused by bored junior travellers.

While the Challenger was built down to a price, quality certainly didn’t suffer and there's the typically impressive Japanese attention to detail.

Look under the body for signs of damage caused by too-hard driving in harsh areas. Also look and taste for salt on the chassis rails. Salt can really attack steel and frequent beach use can cause corrosion to rip into the metal if it’s left unchecked.

Make sure that the engine starts easily, idles nice and smoothly pretty well straight away.

Check the engine doesn't blow any exhaust smoke when accelerated hard, especially after it's been idling for a while.

Check that all gearchanges are smooth and light and that 4WD is engaged in both high and low ratios without too much effort.

HOW MUCH?

Expect to pay from $8000 to $12,000 for a 1999 Challenger; $9000 to $14,000 for a 2000 LS; $11,000 to $17,000 for a 2002 XS; $14,000 to $20,000 for a 2004 Challenger; $16,000 to $23,000 for a 2004 LS; $19,000 to $27,000 for a 2005 LS; and $24,000 to $33,000 for a 2007 LS.

CAR BUYING TIP