I have both Gen 2.5 & Gen3

Here are my observations.

Gen3 , yes 5 speed auto is great, its hard to imagine the difference that extra gear makes but it does, & it does work well with the motor.

Car is bigger, much bigger IMO, its longer too. makes parking harder.

Inside is extremely comfortable, good for long trips.

BUT roadnoise is a killer, I have gone back to highway tyres for that reason, still noisy but not as noisy.

Gen 3 is also more difficult to mod., eg harder to lift & harder to run 33s.

Gen 2.5


IMO the best Mitsu ever built, what I wouldn't do for a 5 speed auto, (it was an option too in some markets).

Is more nimble, IMO, easier to park, easier to lift, easy to run 33s. Absolutely superb & unstoppable offroad.

Looks better too, IMO

cheers