Mitsubishi eK Wagon: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Mitsubishi eK Wagon in this catalogue covers four generations from December 2004 to February 2019, all with a Microvan body. The central buying decision is between the earlier 657 cc, 50 hp versions and the later 659 cc models with either 49 hp or 64 hp.
The Mitsubishi eK Wagon in this catalogue covers four generations from December 2004 to February 2019, all with a Microvan body. The central buying decision is between the earlier 657 cc, 50 hp versions and the later 659 cc models with either 49 hp or 64 hp. The first and second generations offer 5-speed Manual and 3-speed Automatic transmissions, while the third generation moves to a Variable transmission. FWD and AWD are available across the range. For maximum performance, choose a restyled third-generation 0.7 CVT with 64 hp and 98 Nm; for the lowest recorded kerb weight, choose the third-generation 0.7 CVT with 49 hp, 59 Nm and FWD at 820 kg. Buyers who need recorded acceleration, maximum-speed and consumption figures should focus on the earlier 0.7 AT, because those measurements are not available for the Manual or Variable versions.
Mitsubishi eK Wagon generations: what changed?
The first-generation Mitsubishi eK Wagon ran from December 2004 to August 2006. It is a Microvan with four listed versions, all named 0.7 AT or 0.7 MT and offered with FWD or AWD. Every version uses a 657 cc Gasoline engine producing 50 hp and 62 Nm. The 0.7 AT has a 3-speed Automatic, while the 0.7 MT has a 5-speed Manual. Ground clearance is 155 mm, the highest recorded figure in this catalogue.
The second generation ran from August 2006 to May 2013. This Microvan also has four listed versions: 0.7 AT and 0.7 MT choices with FWD or AWD. Output remains 50 hp and 62 Nm from 657 cc, and the transmission choices remain a 3-speed Automatic or 5-speed Manual. Its principal numerical difference from the first generation is ground clearance: 140 mm, which is 15 mm lower.
The third generation ran from June 2013 to September 2015. It is a Microvan with two listed 0.7 CVT versions, one FWD and one AWD. Both use a naturally aspirated 659 cc Gasoline engine with 49 hp and 59 Nm, paired with a Variable transmission. Compared with the preceding 50 hp engine, displacement increases by 2 cc while output falls by 1 hp. Ground clearance rises from 140 mm to 150 mm.
The restyled third generation ran from October 2015 to February 2019 and remains part of the third generation rather than constituting another generation. This Microvan has four listed 0.7 CVT versions. Naturally aspirated choices produce 49 hp with either 56 Nm or 59 Nm, while Turbo choices produce 64 hp and 98 Nm. FWD and AWD remain available, all variants use a Variable transmission, and ground clearance remains 150 mm.
Mitsubishi eK Wagon engine and specifications
All listed engines are Gasoline, use an Inline arrangement with 3 cylinders and 4 valves per cylinder, and have distributed multi-point injection. The exact 0.7 AT, 0.7 MT and 0.7 CVT names are repeated in the database, so generation, output and drive are included below to distinguish them.
| Generation and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 0.7 AT, FWD | 50 hp | 62 Nm | 657 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First generation 0.7 AT, AWD | 50 hp | 62 Nm | 657 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First generation 0.7 MT, FWD | 50 hp | 62 Nm | 657 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First generation 0.7 MT, AWD | 50 hp | 62 Nm | 657 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second generation 0.7 AT, FWD | 50 hp | 62 Nm | 657 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second generation 0.7 AT, AWD | 50 hp | 62 Nm | 657 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second generation 0.7 MT, FWD | 50 hp | 62 Nm | 657 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Second generation 0.7 MT, AWD | 50 hp | 62 Nm | 657 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Third generation 0.7 CVT, FWD | 49 hp | 59 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Third generation 0.7 CVT, AWD | 49 hp | 59 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| Restyled third generation 0.7 CVT, FWD | 49 hp | 56 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Restyled third generation 0.7 CVT, AWD | 49 hp | 59 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| Restyled third generation 0.7 CVT Turbo, FWD | 64 hp | 98 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Restyled third generation 0.7 CVT Turbo, AWD | 64 hp | 98 Nm | 659 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | Turbo | Variable | AWD |
The 657 cc engine develops about 76.1 hp per litre. The naturally aspirated 659 cc engine develops about 74.4 hp per litre, while the 64 hp Turbo reaches about 97.1 hp per litre. Relative to the 49 hp engine, the Turbo adds 15 hp and between 39 Nm and 42 Nm, depending on whether the naturally aspirated comparison version has 59 Nm or 56 Nm.
Mitsubishi eK Wagon performance, fuel average and economy
The first- and second-generation 0.7 AT versions have the only complete recorded performance and consumption set: 0–100 km/h takes 14.5 seconds, maximum speed is 140 km/h, city consumption is 5.7 l/100 km, highway consumption is 4.1 l/100 km, and combined consumption is 4.9 l/100 km. These figures are identical in the supplied data for FWD and AWD.
For every first- and second-generation 0.7 MT, acceleration to 100 km/h is not measured, maximum speed is not measured, city consumption is not measured, highway consumption is not measured, and combined consumption is not measured.
For every third-generation and restyled third-generation 0.7 CVT—including the 49 hp naturally aspirated and 64 hp Turbo versions—acceleration to 100 km/h is not measured, maximum speed is not measured, city consumption is not measured, highway consumption is not measured, and combined consumption is not measured. A Mitsubishi eK Wagon fuel-average comparison between the 0.7 AT, 0.7 MT and 0.7 CVT therefore cannot be made from this catalogue without inventing figures.
Mitsubishi eK Wagon dimensions, weight and capacity
Exterior length, width and height are not measured for any listed version, and wheel sizes are not measured. Gross weight is also not measured throughout the supplied data. Every version has a 30-litre fuel tank.
The first-generation 0.7 AT weighs 790 kg in both FWD and AWD form, while kerb weight for the first-generation 0.7 MT is not measured. Ground clearance is 155 mm for every first-generation version.
The second-generation 0.7 AT also weighs 790 kg in both FWD and AWD form; kerb weight for the second-generation 0.7 MT is not measured. Ground clearance is 140 mm across the second generation.
In the third generation, the 49 hp 0.7 CVT weighs 820 kg with FWD and 880 kg with AWD. AWD therefore adds 60 kg. These versions provide about 16.7 kg per horsepower in FWD form and 18.0 kg per horsepower in AWD form.
Among the restyled naturally aspirated models, the 49 hp 0.7 CVT weighs 840 kg with FWD and 890 kg with AWD, so the recorded AWD difference is 50 kg. That equals about 17.1 kg per horsepower for FWD and 18.2 kg per horsepower for AWD. The restyled Turbo 0.7 CVT weighs 860 kg with FWD and 910 kg with AWD, again making AWD 50 kg heavier. Despite the extra mass, the Turbo has the strongest weight-to-power results: about 13.4 kg per horsepower with FWD and 14.2 kg per horsepower with AWD. All third-generation versions have 150 mm of ground clearance.
Which Mitsubishi eK Wagon version should you buy?
Choose the restyled third-generation 0.7 CVT Turbo with FWD if performance per kilogram is the priority. Its 64 hp, 98 Nm and 860 kg produce the best recorded weight-to-power figure, about 13.4 kg per horsepower. Compared with the restyled naturally aspirated FWD 0.7 CVT, it adds 15 hp and 42 Nm while adding 20 kg.
Choose the restyled third-generation 0.7 CVT Turbo with AWD if you want the same maximum output with AWD. It retains 64 hp and 98 Nm but weighs 910 kg, 50 kg more than the FWD Turbo. Its weight-to-power figure is therefore about 0.8 kg per horsepower higher than that of the FWD Turbo.
Choose the non-restyled third-generation 0.7 CVT with FWD if low recorded kerb weight matters more than peak output. At 820 kg, it is 40 kg lighter than the restyled FWD Turbo, but it gives up 15 hp and 39 Nm. It also has 59 Nm, which is 3 Nm more than the restyled naturally aspirated FWD version, while weighing 20 kg less.
Choose a first- or second-generation 0.7 AT when documented performance and consumption figures matter most. These are the only variants with recorded results of 14.5 seconds to 100 km/h, 140 km/h maximum speed and 4.9 l/100 km combined consumption. Their 790 kg kerb weight also yields 15.8 kg per horsepower. The first-generation version provides 155 mm of ground clearance, 15 mm more than the otherwise similarly specified second-generation 0.7 AT.
Choose a 0.7 MT only if the 5-speed Manual transmission itself is the deciding requirement. Its engine output matches the corresponding 0.7 AT at 50 hp and 62 Nm, but its weight, acceleration, maximum speed and fuel-consumption figures are not measured. On the available numbers alone, there is no basis for claiming that the Manual is lighter, faster or more economical.
Price, engine price, engine-oil capacity, oil grade, engine-number location, reliability and common Mitsubishi eK Wagon problems are not measured in the supplied data. Consequently, no version can be recommended on purchase price, maintenance cost or reliability grounds. The defensible choices are numerical: the 64 hp FWD Turbo for the best power-to-weight result, the 820 kg third-generation FWD model for the lowest later-generation weight, the AWD versions when AWD is required, or the earlier 0.7 AT when verified performance and fuel-consumption measurements are essential.