As I slide behind the wheel of the 2017 Mitsubishi Adventure Super Sport, that distinctive scent of aging yet well-maintained vehicle interiors hits me immediately—a mix of leather conditioner and nostalgia. Having test-driven dozens of SUVs over my fifteen years as an automotive journalist, I've developed a particular fondness for vehicles that age gracefully rather than just impress on day one. The Adventure Super Sport represents an interesting case study in longevity, much like how a seasoned sports team must maintain consistency despite challenges. Speaking of consistency, I'm reminded of National University's basketball team in the UAAP, which needed to avoid the kind of unfortunate setbacks that derailed Ateneo's campaign to keep their title defense alive. Similarly, this Mitsubishi model has avoided major redesigns for years, relying on proven reliability rather than chasing trends—but does that approach still hold up today?

Let me be perfectly honest here—the 2017 Adventure Super Sport won't win any awards for cutting-edge technology or breathtaking design. The 2.5-liter 4D56 turbo diesel engine produces about 100 horsepower, which feels downright pedestrian compared to modern SUVs pushing 150-200 hp. The five-speed manual transmission (though a four-speed automatic was available) requires actual effort to operate, something many younger drivers might find foreign. Yet there's something refreshing about its mechanical honesty. You won't find confusing touchscreen interfaces or overly complicated driver assistance systems—just straightforward controls that work exactly as expected. The suspension setup—rigid leaf springs at the rear—isn't what I'd call comfortable by 2023 standards, but it can handle terrible roads that would make newer crossovers wince. I've personally taken this vehicle through flooded streets and rough provincial roads that would strand more "advanced" competitors, and it never once complained.

What really stands out about the Adventure, particularly this Super Sport variant, is its almost stubborn commitment to functionality. The third-row seats actually accommodate adults reasonably well—unlike many modern three-row SUVs where the rearmost seats seem designed exclusively for contortionists or children. With all seats up, you still get 460 liters of cargo space, expanding to 1,900 liters with the third row folded. Those numbers might not sound impressive until you realize many newer seven-seaters offer less usable space despite their larger footprints. The roof rails are genuinely functional too—I've loaded over 100 kg of camping gear up there without issues. The air conditioning system deserves special mention—it's the kind of industrial-strength cooling that makes Philippine summer heat feel manageable, something I can't say about many newer vehicles with their eco-friendly but less powerful climate control systems.

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room—safety. The 2017 Adventure Super Sport comes with dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, and that's pretty much it. You won't find blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, or lane-keeping assist. In an era where even budget cars offer these features, this feels like a significant omission. However, the vehicle's high driving position provides excellent visibility, and the body-on-frame construction gives it substantial presence on the road. During a particularly harrowing drive through EDSA traffic last monsoon season, the Adventure's predictable handling and confident braking (despite the basic safety features) felt more reassuring than some newer cars with overly sensitive electronic nannies that beep at everything.

Maintenance costs represent perhaps the strongest argument for considering this vehicle today. Based on my ownership experience and dealer surveys, average annual maintenance runs about ₱15,000-₱20,000 for normal use—roughly half what you'd pay for a newer SUV. Parts availability is phenomenal—you can find everything from alternators to suspension components at virtually any auto supply shop nationwide. The 4D56 engine, while not particularly refined, has proven so durable that many examples reach 300,000 kilometers with proper care. Fuel economy sits around 12-14 km/l on the highway and 9-10 km/l in city driving—decent figures that newer diesel SUVs have barely improved upon despite all their technological advancements.

The interior shows its age immediately, but not necessarily in bad ways. The upholstery wears remarkably well—my test unit with 85,000 kilometers showed minimal wear on the driver's seat. The audio system feels ancient with its single-DIN head unit and basic speakers, but it connects to phones reliably via aux cable (Bluetooth was optional). The dashboard plastics scratch easily, but they don't rattle like some modern soft-touch materials that degrade over time. What you lose in modernity, you gain in durability—this cabin can withstand kids, pets, and regular abuse that would leave newer interiors looking tragic.

Considering its current secondhand price of ₱600,000-₱750,000 for good condition examples, the Adventure Super Sport presents a compelling value proposition for specific buyers. If you need a dependable people-hauler that won't bankrupt you on maintenance, can handle rough roads without complaint, and you're not bothered by the lack of modern safety tech, this might be one of the smartest used vehicle purchases available today. It's like that reliable veteran player who might not make highlight reels but consistently delivers where it matters—similar to how National University's steady performers provided the foundation for their title defense while avoiding the misfortunes that plagued flashier competitors like Ateneo.

Would I recommend it over newer options? For city dwellers who do mostly highway driving and want modern comforts, probably not. But for large families on a budget, small business owners needing a versatile vehicle, or anyone regularly traveling to provinces with challenging roads, the Adventure Super Sport remains surprisingly relevant. Its simplicity becomes its greatest strength—there's less to break, and what does break is inexpensive to fix. Five years after its launch, this Mitsubishi continues to deliver where it truly counts: reliable transportation that won't leave you stranded or facing repair bills worth more than the vehicle itself. Sometimes, avoiding dramatic failures—whether in basketball or automotive engineering—proves more valuable than occasional brilliance.