Mitsubishi RVR: which generation to buy
A 3 generation SUV 5-doors is not a substitute for a 250 hp Compact Van, and a 1 generation 120 hp 1.8 MT is not a substitute for restyling 3’s 205 mm. Buy inside one body type first.
3 generation (base 2010-02-01–2012-09-30; restyling 2012-10-01–2017-01-31; restyling 2 2017-02-01–2019-07-31; restyling 3 from 2019-08-01) is the only SUV 5-doors RVR in this data. All eight listed versions share the same name `1.8 CVT`, the same 1798 cm³, 139 hp (102 kW) at 6000 rpm, 172 Nm at 4200 rpm, Variable gearbox, boost No, fuel 92 from the first restyling onward (95 on the 2010–2012 pair). Specific output is 139 / 1.798 ≈ 77.3 hp per litre. 0–100 and top speed are not measured on every 3 generation `1.8 CVT`. What changes between facelifts is mass, clearance, and (on restyling 3 only) measured mpg.
2 generation Compact Van (1997-11-01–2002-08-31, 7 versions) is the only place the catalogue lists Turbo: `2.0 AT` 230 hp and `2.0 MT` 250 hp. It is also the only generation with a measured 0–100 spread (10.4–13 s where recorded). Tank 58 L, clearance 160 mm except `2.0 MT` 250 hp at 200 mm.
1 generation Compact Van (1991-01-01–1997-12-31; 24 versions in the model count, 12 shown here) is the lightest and the only generation with a measured gross weight (1570 kg on three listed cars). Peak listed power is 160 hp. Tank 55 L. Clearance 160 mm except the 160 hp AWD `2.0 MT` / `2.0 AT` pair at 210 mm.
A 3 generation SUV 5-doors is not a substitute for a 250 hp Compact Van, and a 1 generation 120 hp `1.8 MT` is not a substitute for restyling 3’s 205 mm. Buy inside one body type first.
FWD or AWD on 3 generation `1.8 CVT`
Same engine, same Variable gearbox, same 139 hp / 172 Nm. The extra hardware is AWD mass and fuel.
| Facelift | Drive | Kerb, kg | kg/hp | Clearance, mm | City / highway / mixed, L/100 km | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 generation, restyling 3 `1.8 CVT` | AWD | 1440 | 10.36 | 205 | 10.1 / 6.9 / 7.8 | not measured |
| 3 generation, restyling 3 `1.8 CVT` | FWD | 1370 | 9.86 | 205 | 9.6 / 6.4 / 7.2 | 168 |
| 3 generation, restyling 2 `1.8 CVT` | AWD | 1430 | 10.29 | 195 | not measured | not measured |
| 3 generation, restyling 2 `1.8 CVT` | FWD | 1360 | 9.78 | 195 | not measured | not measured |
| 3 generation, restyling `1.8 CVT` | FWD | 1350 | 9.71 | 195 | not measured | not measured |
| 3 generation, restyling `1.8 CVT` | AWD | 1430 | 10.29 | 195 | not measured | not measured |
| 3 generation `1.8 CVT` | FWD | 1350 | 9.71 | 195 | not measured | not measured |
| 3 generation `1.8 CVT` | AWD | 1350 | 9.71 | 195 | not measured | not measured |
On restyling 3, AWD adds 70 kg (1440 − 1370) and 0.5 L/100 km city, 0.5 highway, 0.6 mixed. Mixed 7.8 versus 7.2 is about 8% more fuel. Tank is 63 L on both: mixed range ≈ 63 / 7.2 × 100 = 875 km FWD versus 63 / 7.8 × 100 = 808 km AWD. Only the FWD restyling 3 `1.8 CVT` has a CO2 figure (168). Gross weight is not measured on any 3 generation version. Wheel sizes are not measured.
Buy FWD restyling 3 `1.8 CVT` if the numbers that matter are mass (1370 kg), mixed 7.2 L/100 km, and 205 mm. Buy AWD restyling 3 `1.8 CVT` if you need AWD and will pay 70 kg and 0.6 L/100 km mixed for the same 139 hp.
On restyling 2 the AWD penalty is 70 kg (1430 − 1360) with the same 195 mm. On the first restyling it is 80 kg (1430 − 1350). On original 3 generation both `1.8 CVT` versions are 1350 kg — AWD adds no listed kerb weight. That 2010–2012 AWD `1.8 CVT` is the lightest AWD SUV 5-doors RVR in the data (1350 kg, 9.71 kg/hp). It is also the pair that still specifies fuel 95 rather than 92.
Restyling 3 is the only 3 generation step that raises clearance: 205 mm versus 195 mm on every earlier 3 generation `1.8 CVT` (+10 mm). FWD kerb rose 20 kg from original 1350 kg to restyling 3 1370 kg; AWD rose 90 kg from original 1350 kg to restyling 3 1440 kg. Compression 10.7 and bore × stroke 86 × 77.4 are listed from restyling 2 onward; they are not measured on original 3 generation and the first restyling. Valves per cylinder 4 and engine location Front, transverse are listed from the first restyling; both are not measured on original 3 generation. Rear brakes on all 3 generation versions: Disc (label as in data). Front: Ventilated disc. Suspension both ends: Independent, spring.
Turbo versus everything else: 2 generation
2 generation is where horsepower splits.
- `2.0 MT` 250 hp (184 kW) at 6000 rpm, 309 Nm at 3000 rpm, 1997 cm³, Turbo, Manual 5, AWD, 1570 kg, clearance 200 mm. Specific output 250 / 1.997 ≈ 125.2 hp/L. Weight per hp 1570 / 250 = 6.28 kg/hp — the lowest (best) in the whole catalogue. 0–100, top speed, and all three fuel figures: not measured. Fuel 95. Compression 10.4, 85 × 88. Rear brakes Disc. Rear suspension Independent, spring.
- `2.0 AT` 230 hp (169 kW) at 6000 rpm, 299 Nm at 2500 rpm, same 1997 cm³ Turbo, Automatic 4, AWD, 1570 kg, 160 mm. Specific output ≈ 115.2 hp/L. kg/hp 1570 / 230 = 6.83. 0–100 10.4 s, top speed 190 km/h — the fastest listed 0–100 and the highest listed top speed. City 11.2 / highway 7.6 / mixed 8.9. Versus `2.0 MT` 250 hp you give up 20 hp and 10 Nm, gain a measured 10.4 s and 190 km/h, and drop clearance from 200 mm to 160 mm. Same 1570 kg.
- `2.4 AT` 165 hp (121 kW) at 5500 rpm, 230 Nm at 3500 rpm, 2350 cm³, boost No, Direct injection (direct), Automatic 4, fuel 92. Specific output 165 / 2.350 ≈ 70.2 hp/L — the lowest of 2 generation. Both FWD and AWD list 1570 kg and 160 mm. FWD: 0–100 10.5 s, 187 km/h, 11.8 / 8 / 9.5 L/100 km. AWD: 0–100, top speed, and fuel not measured. The FWD `2.4 AT` is 0.1 s slower to 100 than Turbo `2.0 AT` 230 hp (10.5 vs 10.4) and 3 km/h slower (187 vs 190), with 65 fewer hp, on the same 1570 kg. Mixed 9.5 versus 8.9 is 0.6 L/100 km more than the Turbo automatic.
- `1.8 AT` appears three times. Distinguish by power:
- `1.8 AT` 140 hp (103 kW) at 6000 rpm, 181 Nm at 3750 rpm, 1834 cm³, Direct injection (direct), compression 12, 81 × 89, Automatic 4, fuel 95, 1380 kg, 160 mm. AWD: 0–100 13 s, 176 km/h; fuel not measured. FWD: 0–100 12.5 s, 183 km/h; 10 / 7.2 / 8.6. AWD costs 0.5 s and 7 km/h versus FWD at the same 1380 kg. Specific output 140 / 1.834 ≈ 76.3 hp/L. kg/hp 9.86. Rear: Drum. Rear suspension label: Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem (as in data).
- `1.8 AT` 150 hp (110 kW) at 5500 rpm, 179 Nm at 5000 rpm, same 1834 cm³ and compression 12, FWD only, 1380 kg, 160 mm. 0–100, top speed, fuel: not measured. Versus the 140 hp FWD `1.8 AT` you gain 10 hp and lose 2 Nm, with torque peak 1250 rpm higher (5000 vs 3750). Specific output ≈ 81.8 hp/L. kg/hp 9.20.
Buy 2 generation `2.0 MT` 250 hp if the catalogue question is horsepower density (125.2 hp/L, 6.28 kg/hp) and 200 mm on a Compact Van. Buy `2.0 AT` 230 hp if you need the only Turbo with a measured 10.4 s / 190 km/h. Buy `1.8 AT` 140 hp FWD if you want the lightest 2 generation kerb that still has a full 0–100 / speed / mpg set (1380 kg, 12.5 s, 183 km/h, mixed 8.6). Buy `2.4 AT` 165 hp FWD only if you want 92 fuel and 230 Nm without Turbo; the 0–100 (10.5 s) is almost the Turbo automatic, the mixed 9.5 is the thirstiest measured mixed in 2 generation.
Tank 58 L on all seven 2 generation versions versus 63 L on 3 generation (+5 L) and 55 L on 1 generation.
1 generation: light FWD versus tall AWD
Twelve listed versions, all Gasoline, 4 Inline, Front, transverse, fuel 95, tank 55 L, compression 9.5 on the 1834 cm³ cars and 10.4 on the 1997 cm³ cars. Boost No. Gearboxes Automatic 4 or Manual 5.
120 hp group (`1.8 AT` / `1.8 MT`, 1834 cm³, 159 Nm at 4500, Distributed injection (multi-point), 81 × 89):
- `1.8 MT` FWD: 1240 kg, 10.33 kg/hp, 0–100 not measured, top speed 185 km/h, 8.8 / 4.6 / 6.7. Lightest 1.8. Highway 4.6 is the lowest highway figure in the entire RVR data.
- `1.8 AT` FWD: 1260 kg, 10.50 kg/hp; 0–100, top speed, fuel not measured.
- `1.8 MT` AWD: 1350 kg, 11.25 kg/hp, 9.62 / 5.29 / 8.6, gross 1570 kg.
- `1.8 AT` AWD: 1450 kg, 12.08 kg/hp — the worst kg/hp in the listed set. Gross 1570 kg. 0–100, speed, fuel not measured.
AWD on 120 hp automatic costs 190 kg versus FWD (1450 − 1260). Manual AWD versus manual FWD is +110 kg (1350 − 1240). Mixed 8.6 on `1.8 MT` AWD versus 6.7 on `1.8 MT` FWD is +1.9 L/100 km.
140 hp group (`2.0 MT` / `2.0 AT`, 1997 cm³, 172 Nm at 5000 — same torque number as 3 generation `1.8 CVT` 139 hp, but at 5000 rpm instead of 4200):
- `2.0 MT` FWD: 1210 kg, 8.64 kg/hp — lightest RVR in the data. 0–100, speed, fuel not measured. Rear Disc.
- `2.0 AT` FWD: 1230 kg, 8.79 kg/hp.
- `2.0 MT` AWD: 1350 kg, 9.64 kg/hp; rear suspension Dependent, spring.
- `2.0 AT` AWD: 1380 kg, 9.86 kg/hp; rear Dependent, spring.
FWD 140 hp `2.0 MT` at 1210 kg is 140 kg lighter than 3 generation restyling 3 FWD `1.8 CVT` at 1370 kg, with 1 more hp (140 vs 139). Clearance is 160 mm versus 205 mm.
160 hp group (`2.0 MT` / `2.0 AT`, 1997 cm³, 186 Nm at 4750, 6500 rpm power peak):
- `2.0 MT` AWD: 1320 kg, 8.25 kg/hp, 210 mm — highest listed clearance in the whole model (5 mm above restyling 3’s 205 mm). Specific output 160 / 1.997 ≈ 80.1 hp/L.
- `2.0 AT` AWD: kerb not measured, 210 mm.
- `2.0 MT` FWD: 1420 kg, 8.88 kg/hp, 160 mm, 8.5 / 5 / 6.2 — lowest mixed mpg in the catalogue (6.2).
- `2.0 AT` FWD: 1440 kg, 9.00 kg/hp, 160 mm.
The 160 hp AWD `2.0 MT` at 1320 kg is 100 kg lighter than the 160 hp FWD `2.0 MT` at 1420 kg — here AWD is the lighter listed car, unlike 3 generation restyling 3. Do not assume AWD always weighs more; only the paired numbers say so.
Buy 1 generation `2.0 MT` 140 hp FWD for minimum kerb (1210 kg). Buy `1.8 MT` 120 hp FWD for the 185 km/h figure plus mixed 6.7 and highway 4.6. Buy `2.0 MT` 160 hp AWD for 210 mm and 8.25 kg/hp. Buy `2.0 MT` 160 hp FWD for mixed 6.2. Skip `1.8 AT` 120 hp AWD if kg/hp is the test: 12.08 is the worst listed.
Horsepower, torque, and engine size across the model
Same names, different outputs:
| Version (exact name) | Generation | hp | Nm | cm³ | Boost | Gearbox | Drive to note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| `1.8 CVT` | 3 generation all facelifts | 139 | 172 | 1798 | No | Variable | FWD or AWD |
| `1.8 AT` | 2 generation | 140 | 181 | 1834 | No | Automatic 4 | FWD or AWD |
| `1.8 AT` | 2 generation | 150 | 179 | 1834 | No | Automatic 4 | FWD |
| `1.8 AT` | 1 generation | 120 | 159 | 1834 | No | Automatic 4 | FWD or AWD |
| `1.8 MT` | 1 generation | 120 | 159 | 1834 | No | Manual 5 | FWD or AWD |
| `2.0 AT` | 2 generation | 230 | 299 | 1997 | Turbo | Automatic 4 | AWD |
| `2.0 MT` | 2 generation | 250 | 309 | 1997 | Turbo | Manual 5 | AWD |
| `2.0 AT` | 1 generation | 140 | 172 | 1997 | No | Automatic 4 | FWD or AWD |
| `2.0 MT` | 1 generation | 140 | 172 | 1997 | No | Manual 5 | FWD or AWD |
| `2.0 AT` | 1 generation | 160 | 186 | 1997 | No | Automatic 4 | FWD or AWD |
| `2.0 MT` | 1 generation | 160 | 186 | 1997 | No | Manual 5 | FWD or AWD |
| `2.4 AT` | 2 generation | 165 | 230 | 2350 | No | Automatic 4 | FWD or AWD |
A `2.0 AT` is 140 hp, 160 hp, or 230 hp depending on generation and boost. A `1.8 AT` is 120, 140, or 150 hp. Matching the name without hp and generation is the wrong car.
3 generation `1.8 CVT` 139 hp makes the same 172 Nm as 1 generation `2.0 MT`/`2.0 AT` 140 hp, from 1798 cm³ versus 1997 cm³, at 4200 rpm versus 5000 rpm. 2 generation `1.8 AT` 140 hp makes 181 Nm from 1834 cm³ — 9 Nm more than the later SUV `1.8 CVT`.
MPG and range (measured rows only)
- Best mixed: 1 generation `2.0 MT` 160 hp FWD 6.2 L/100 km (55 L tank ≈ 887 km).
- Next mixed: 1 generation `1.8 MT` 120 hp FWD 6.7; 3 generation restyling 3 `1.8 CVT` FWD 7.2; restyling 3 AWD 7.8.
- 2 generation `1.8 AT` 140 hp FWD mixed 8.6; `2.0 AT` 230 hp 8.9; `2.4 AT` 165 hp FWD 9.5.
- Best highway: 1 generation `1.8 MT` FWD 4.6; `2.0 MT` 160 hp FWD 5.0; `1.8 MT` AWD 5.29.
- 3 generation restyling 3 highway 6.4 FWD / 6.9 AWD — higher than those 1 generation manuals, on a 63 L tank and 205 mm.
City on restyling 3 FWD 9.6 is 0.4 L/100 km below 2 generation `1.8 AT` 140 hp FWD (10.0) and 1.6 below `2.4 AT` FWD (11.8). All other 3 generation mpg cells: not measured. Eco class: not measured everywhere. Engine oil, air-filter intervals, and engine-number location: not measured.
Dimensions, weight, clearance
Kerb span in the listed data: 1210 kg (1 generation `2.0 MT` 140 hp FWD) to 1570 kg (2 generation Turbo pair, both `2.4 AT`, and 1 generation `1.8 AT` AWD gross also 1570). Gross weight is measured only on 1 generation `1.8 AT` AWD, `1.8 MT` AWD (both 1570 kg); every other gross: not measured. Wheel sizes: not measured on every version.
Clearance:
- 210 mm: 1 generation `2.0 MT` / `2.0 AT` 160 hp AWD.
- 205 mm: 3 generation, restyling 3 both `1.8 CVT`.
- 200 mm: 2 generation `2.0 MT` 250 hp.
- 195 mm: all other 3 generation `1.8 CVT`.
- 160 mm: remaining 1 and 2 generation versions.
A buyer who wants ground clearance first takes 1 generation 160 hp AWD (210 mm) or restyling 3 (205 mm). A buyer who wants mass first takes 1 generation `2.0 MT` 140 hp FWD (1210 kg). Those two goals do not land on the same car.
Which version to choose
Daily SUV 5-doors, lowest listed fuel among current-shape cars: 3 generation, restyling 3 `1.8 CVT` FWD — 1370 kg, 139 hp, 7.2 mixed, 63 L, 205 mm, CO2 168. 0–100 and top speed not measured.
Same SUV with AWD: 3 generation, restyling 3 `1.8 CVT` AWD — 1440 kg, same 139 hp / 172 Nm, mixed 7.8, same 205 mm. 0–100, top speed, CO2 not measured.
AWD SUV with the least listed mass: 3 generation (2010–2012) `1.8 CVT` AWD at 1350 kg, 195 mm, fuel 95. Mpg, 0–100, speed not measured.
Maximum horsepower / Turbo: 2 generation `2.0 MT` 250 hp AWD, then `2.0 AT` 230 hp AWD if you need a measured 10.4 s and 190 km/h.
Light Compact Van with a full mpg set: 1 generation `1.8 MT` 120 hp FWD (1240 kg, mixed 6.7, 185 km/h) or `2.0 MT` 160 hp FWD (1420 kg, mixed 6.2).
Highest clearance: 1 generation `2.0 MT` 160 hp AWD at 210 mm (1320 kg), then restyling 3 at 205 mm.
Avoid if the metric is kg/hp: 1 generation `1.8 AT` 120 hp AWD at 12.08 kg/hp. Avoid if the metric is mixed mpg among measured 2 generation cars: `2.4 AT` 165 hp FWD at 9.5.
Reliability, noise, and 2025/2026 spec changes are not measured in this dataset; the comparison above is only the listed hp, Nm, kg, mm, L/100 km, and seconds.