2019 Mitsubishi Strada Technology & Safety Review

From utilitarian chunk of metal rolling on leaf springs and spewing out black smoke to now lifestyle machines, the evolution of pickup trucks is still an amusing feat – and the 2019 Mitsubishi Strada has successfully kept up with the times.

Picking up where its predecessor left off, the refreshed midsize truck has gained a thoughtful amount of features, especially in the safety department. Here’s a closer look at what the new Strada can offer in this episode of AutoDeal’s technology and safety review.

What’s included: speed-sensing door locks, auto up/down driver’s window, power-folding mirrors, power-adjustable driver’s seat, headlight-leveler, push start/stop, dual-zone climate control, parking sensors, reverse camera, cruise control, three USB ports, and touchscreen infotainment with Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

For P1,670,000, the 2019 Strada 4x4 GT pretty much gives you what you’ll need in a lifestyle/utilitarian pickup truck. The list above sums up the features included, but, of course, as nitpickers, there are a few quirks. First, the push start/stop button is at the left side of the driver, which is kind of weird at first. The side mirror adjuster is also outside my arm’s reach, while there’s no separate button for the central locking.

While the oddities mentioned above are okay and would be easy to live with, there are some that are kind of annoying.

What you won’t like: No Apple Carplay/Android Auto, air-conditioning needs improvement, the front USB port doesn’t charge gadgets quickly

The air-conditioning needed some time to cool down the cabin, especially if you left your car in a sunny parking spot. The rear air “vents” aren’t really vents but just blowers that pull the air from the front cabin.

The infotainment system, on the other hand, while working fine, for the most part, needs a bit of refinement and update like Apple Carplay or Android Auto, maybe? For a new car, these two connectivity features have been a standard among other cars. Plus, the USB port at the front cabin doesn’t really charge gadgets quickly, so you’re left with no choice but to connect via Bluetooth and charge your phone via a separate accessory charger.

What’s included: seven SRS airbags, ISOFIX child seat tethers, ABS with EBD, five 3-point seatbelts, seatbelt reminder, blind-spot monitors, traction control, hill-start assist, hill descent control, radar-based forward collision mitigation system, and Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System

For quite a time, the Ford Ranger and the Nissan Navara battle head to head as the best in safety in the pickup truck segment. However, the 2019 Strada undercuts the two this year with its new set of safety features. Leading the set is the radar-based forward collision mitigation system that detects and prevents head-on collisions. It actually works, and there were times when I could feel the brake pedal charging when in tight spaces.

Also, the Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System is Mitsubishi’s answer to the infamous “sudden unintended acceleration” issue of the Montero Sport. Basically, it will prevent the Strada from moving from a standstill if the car detects any obstacle, front and back.