With its modern looks, automatic tranny and relatively large engine, most Fuzion owners would probably end up driving it themselves, and they won’t be largely disappointed.  With its body-on-frame construction, some shimmy from the chassis’s expected, but the Fuzion handles it quite well, absorbing most road undulations with ease and poise.  There are some occasions where the car exhibits axle hops, but these are usually during extreme cases.  There’s immediate grunt (through gruff-y) available from the engine at most speeds offering good overtaking opportunities.  However, the transmission’s easily confused: usually downshifting immediately the throttle’s pressed even when the power’s not needed, resulting in the Fuzion’s mediocre fuel economy: 6.36 km/L in our tests.  The steering’s precise and obedient, but the large amount of turns plus the lifelessness is reminiscent of a pick-up.  Thankfully I like the brakes that have good modulation and nice braking power.  Equipped with anti-lock brakes, brake force distribution and brake assist, the Fuzion’s a confident partner in bad weather conditions.

Having a Toyota Innova 2.5 G available during the Fuzion’s test, I drove them back to back, and I have to conclude that the folks at Mitsubishi did their homework.  The Fuzion easily matches or surpasses the Toyota on the most part, but excelling in the area of NVH isolation.  The Innova though has the better steering feel—making it feel more balanced, stable and planted at higher speeds.  Better fuel economy figures also make the Innova favorable to the frugal (8.82 km/L for the gasoline, 11.27 km/L for the diesel).

Despite these small shortcomings, the year’s worth of product planning has enabled Mitsubishi to come with a sweet spot in terms of pricing: P 980,000 for the entry-level GLX and P 1,190,000 for the GLS Sport.  Though pricey when taken independently, it makes sense for buyers since Mitsubishi is adamant that they’re not killing the Adventure off.  The fully-loaded Fuzion has enough features to scare its competition (even those priced above it).  The GLS Sport is an example, arriving on the scene standard with dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, 16-inch alloys, HID headlamps, electric driver’s seat, a JVC CD/DVD/MP3/USB audio system with 6 speakers, parking sensors and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Though the name’s changed from fast food sandwich to gourmet health drink, there’s little denying that Mitsubishi’s new MPV, whether you call it Zinger or Fuzion, is set to be the Toyota Innova’s preverbal thorn.  Though Kia’s launched the Carens already and Nissan’s showcasing their forthcoming Grand Livina, it must be remembered that the Adventure proved to be the Revo/Tamaraw FX’s greatest foe.  In the here and now, the Mitsubishi Fuzion’s combination sensible driving, modern interior, pleasant design and competitive pricing will surely make this one a winner.  Despite the absence of diesel or a manual for that matter, people who haven’t considered owning a Mitsubishi before will lap them up.  And who knows, perhaps the Fuzion moniker will be associated for something else other than food.

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