Mitsubishi Dion: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Mitsubishi Dion catalogue presents one generation of Compact Van in original and restyled form. The first-generation period is listed as January 2000 through May 2002, while the restyling runs from June 2002 through March 2006. The decisive choice is between the more powerful 1.8 AT and the less powerful but more varied 2.0 AT and 2.0 CVT versions.
The Mitsubishi Dion catalogue presents one generation of Compact Van in original and restyled form. The first-generation period is listed as January 2000 through May 2002, while the restyling runs from June 2002 through March 2006. The decisive choice is between the more powerful 1.8 AT and the less powerful but more varied 2.0 AT and 2.0 CVT versions. The 1.8 AT produces 165 hp and 220 Nm; every 2.0 version produces 135 hp and 183 Nm. Buyers can also choose FWD or AWD, while transmission availability depends on the engine and production phase.
Mitsubishi Dion generations and version changes
The original first-generation Mitsubishi Dion is a Compact Van with six listed modifications. Its catalogue covers the 1.8 AT with FWD or AWD, the 2.0 AT with FWD or AWD, and the 2.0 CVT with FWD or AWD. This phase therefore provides the widest transmission choice: the 2.0 engine can be paired with either Automatic or Variable transmission.
The first-generation restyling is also a Compact Van, but it has four listed modifications. It retains the 1.8 AT in FWD and AWD form and the 2.0 CVT in FWD and AWD form. The 2.0 AT variants found in the earlier catalogue are not listed for the restyling. Consequently, the earlier model is the one to consider if a buyer specifically wants a 2.0 engine with a 4-speed Automatic transmission.
Mitsubishi Dion engine and specs comparison
All listed Dion engines are naturally aspirated Gasoline units with 4 Inline cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, and a Front, transverse installation. The 1.8 AT uses an 1834 cc Direct injection (direct) engine. Its specific output is about 90.0 hp per litre, compared with approximately 67.6 hp per litre for the 1997 cc 2.0 AT and approximately 67.5 hp per litre for the 1999 cc 2.0 versions.
| Version | Output | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 AT | 165 hp at 5500 rpm | 220 Nm at 3500 rpm | 1834 cc | 98 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1.8 AT | 165 hp at 5500 rpm | 220 Nm at 3500 rpm | 1834 cc | 98 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2.0 AT | 135 hp at 5800 rpm | 183 Nm at 3500 rpm | 1997 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2.0 AT | 135 hp at 5700 rpm | 183 Nm at 3500 rpm | 1999 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2.0 CVT | 135 hp at 5700 rpm | 183 Nm at 3500 rpm | 1999 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| 2.0 CVT | 135 hp at 5700 rpm | 183 Nm at 3500 rpm | 1999 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
The restyled range repeats the same 1.8 AT specifications in FWD and AWD form and the same 2.0 CVT specifications in FWD and AWD form. The 1.8 AT has 30 hp and 37 Nm more than every listed 2.0 version, despite having the smaller displacement. Both engines reach maximum torque at 3500 rpm.
The two original 2.0 AT entries need to be distinguished carefully. The FWD 2.0 AT has 1997 cc, Distributed injection (multi-point), and maximum power at 5800 rpm. The AWD 2.0 AT has 1999 cc, Direct injection (direct), and maximum power at 5700 rpm. Their shared name, output, and torque do not make their engine specifications identical.
Mitsubishi Dion performance and mpg
Measured performance and fuel-consumption figures are supplied only for the FWD 1.8 AT. In both the original and restyled catalogues, this version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.7 seconds and reaches 175 km/h. Its fuel consumption is 12.4 l/100 km in the city, 7.8 l/100 km on the highway, and 10 l/100 km combined.
For the AWD 1.8 AT, acceleration, maximum speed, city consumption, highway consumption, and combined consumption are not measured. For the FWD and AWD 2.0 AT, all five figures are not measured. They are also not measured for the FWD and AWD 2.0 CVT. The supplied data therefore cannot support a fuel-economy or acceleration comparison among those versions.
Mitsubishi Dion dimensions, weight, and ground clearance
Exterior dimensions are not measured for every version. Wheel sizes are also not measured throughout the catalogue. The available practical measurements are kerb weight, ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity, and one gross-weight figure.
| Version | Drive | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 AT | FWD | 1400 kg | 2010 kg | 150 mm | 60 l | not measured |
| 1.8 AT | AWD | 1470 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 60 l | not measured |
| 2.0 AT | FWD | 1420 kg | not measured | 155 mm | 60 l | not measured |
| 2.0 AT | AWD | 1460 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 60 l | not measured |
| 2.0 CVT | FWD | 1380 kg | not measured | 155 mm | 60 l | not measured |
| 2.0 CVT | AWD | 1450 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 60 l | not measured |
These measurements apply equally where the same 1.8 AT and 2.0 CVT configurations appear in the restyled catalogue. AWD adds 70 kg to either the 1.8 AT or 2.0 CVT. It also raises ground clearance by 10 mm on the 1.8 AT and by 5 mm on the 2.0 CVT. In the original range, the AWD 2.0 AT is 40 kg heavier than its FWD counterpart and has 5 mm more ground clearance.
The FWD 2.0 CVT is the lightest listed Dion at 1380 kg. Its ratio is approximately 10.2 kg per horsepower. The FWD 1.8 AT weighs 1400 kg but has approximately 8.5 kg per horsepower, giving it the strongest weight-to-power calculation in the catalogue. The AWD 1.8 AT remains at approximately 8.9 kg per horsepower, compared with approximately 10.7 kg per horsepower for both the AWD 2.0 AT and AWD 2.0 CVT.
All versions have Independent, spring suspension at the front and rear, Ventilated disc front brakes, and Drum rear brakes.
Mitsubishi Dion problems and reliability: what the data can establish
No fault, repair, durability, or service-history figures are supplied, so Mitsubishi Dion problems and reliability are not measured in this catalogue. The specifications can identify mechanical differences that buyers should verify—Direct injection (direct) versus Distributed injection (multi-point), Automatic versus Variable transmission, and FWD versus AWD—but they cannot show that one system is more reliable than another.
The supplied data also contains no interior measurements, equipment details, or Exceed trim description. Interior space and the contents of a Mitsubishi Dion Exceed specification are therefore not measured here and should not decide a purchase without separate evidence.
Which Mitsubishi Dion version should you buy?
For the strongest numerical performance case, choose the FWD 1.8 AT. Its 165 hp exceeds every 2.0 version by 30 hp, and its 220 Nm advantage is 37 Nm. It also has the best calculated weight-to-power figure at approximately 8.5 kg per horsepower. This is the only configuration with measured acceleration, maximum speed, and consumption, which makes it the easiest Dion to assess from the supplied catalogue.
Choose the AWD 1.8 AT when AWD and the maximum listed ground clearance matter more than minimum weight. It preserves the 165 hp and 220 Nm outputs, offers 160 mm of clearance, and weighs 70 kg more than the FWD 1.8 AT. Performance and consumption for this AWD version are not measured.
Choose the FWD 2.0 CVT if the priority is the lowest kerb weight and a Variable transmission. At 1380 kg, it is 20 kg lighter than the FWD 1.8 AT and 40 kg lighter than the FWD 2.0 AT. The trade-off is 30 hp and 37 Nm less than the 1.8 AT, while comparative performance and economy are not measured.
Choose an original-generation 2.0 AT only if the combination of a 2.0 engine and 4-speed Automatic transmission is specifically required. The restyled catalogue does not list this pairing. Between the two 2.0 AT versions, FWD weighs 1420 kg and has 155 mm of clearance, while AWD weighs 1460 kg and has 160 mm. Buyers should also note their different displacement, injection, and peak-power-speed specifications.
The restyling does not provide higher power, more torque, lower listed weight, or additional ground clearance for equivalent 1.8 AT and 2.0 CVT configurations. Its measurable catalogue change is a narrower version range, with the 2.0 AT absent. Accordingly, the restyled model is not automatically the better numerical choice: select it only when its retained 1.8 AT or 2.0 CVT configuration already matches the intended purchase.