The Mesa (formerly known as "Mesa Grande") is a compact SUV featured in both the 3D Universe and HD Universe. It is manufactured by Canis in the HD Universe.
Design[]
3D Universe[]
Resembling a 1986–1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ (as evidenced by its rectangular headlights and signal lights) and differing by its horizontal grille element design, the vehicle is evidently a compact SUV with heightened ground clearance and large wheels to facilitate offroading.
The design between all iterations remained the same, aside from the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which seems to gain a slightly taller cabin, turning signals on the front fenders and a license plate moved from the rear bumper to the tailgate. It also has the door handles in a lower height compared to the Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories iterations. The vehicle comes in three variations with regards to the occupants' compartment, including a canvas top, a rollbar, or nothing at all. The vehicle can only seat two, despite having additional back seats.
The Mesa Grande spawns in a primary color for the body, while the canvas top is painted with the secondary color.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
The vehicle is depicted as a four-door SUV that resembles the 2007–2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, while the front fascia and grille resemble that of a UAZ-469.
The front fascia of the car is relatively small, featuring a mesh grille and a lower intake, both having a wide horizontal separation. Two large circular headlights can be seen besides the grille, while two rectangle amber signals can be seen below, besides the lower intake. A plastic bumper spans the width of the car, holding a license plate on the center. Chrome "CANIS" letterings can be seen embossed above the grille.
On the sides, wide arches can be seen above the wheels, protruding from the narrow bodywork of the vehicle. The bottom of the car is fitted with chrome stepsides and two plastic rear-view mirror shells can be seen directly mounted on the front doors, near the A-pillars.
The rear of the car is mostly generic, featuring a set of circular tail lights and a rear tailgate that opens toward the passenger side, bearing the same "CANIS" chrome lettering and emblem on the center and the black handle on the driver side. Again, a plastic bumper spans the width of the rear and ends on the rear quarters, while a license plate can be seen below the passenger-side tail lights.
Similar to previous iterations, the Mesa can spawn with or without a black solid roof, which also has a rectangle brake light on the rear. A set of black bars can be seen on the rear bed, connected to the frames seen behind the body, just above the cabin.
The vehicle is only painted with a primary color, which also affects the stitching on the interior. Its stock wheels bear the same rim pattern as the "Mudslinger" offroad wheels available in Los Santos Customs, but the detail on the center is slightly larger and has more bolt details on the surrounding.
Performance[]
3D Universe[]
In GTA Vice City and GTA San Andreas, its performance is similar to that of the Blista Compact and Sentinel, due to its light weight and short wheelbase, and it is significantly nimble and possesses above average pickup and torque than speed. However, as a compact SUV, it only has a moderate top speed. Its light weight and stiff suspension may also result in frequent rollovers on uneven terrain or in accidents. It is powered by a diesel engine, which is large and powerful. The engine has been an inline throughout the 3D universe.
However, in GTA Vice City Stories, the vehicle is now a bit different. It weights a bit more, it has a higher top speed, and is powered by a petrol engine.
3D Universe Overview[]
Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | 99 / 160 (GTA Vice City & GTA San Andreas)
106 / 170 (GTA Vice City Stories) |
5 | Diesel (GTA Vice City & GTA San Andreas)
Petrol (GTA Vice City Stories) |
AWD | 1300 / 2866 (GTA Vice City & GTA San Andreas)
1500 / 3307 (GTA Vice City Stories) |
N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | AWD | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
The Mesa has an average top speed and good acceleration due to its light weight. However, it has a wide turning radius and needs to be driven moderately. The vehicle performs well off-road due to its full 4WD drivetrain and light weight, and it has excellent torque which allows it to climb very steep hills. Durability is excellent, as the vehicle is able to take considerable abuse from gunfire and collisions before the engine fails. The Mesa is also capable of an impressive amount of momentum once it gathers speed, rivalling larger cars like the Emperor in its ability to force its way through obstacles and roadblocks.
It appears to be powered by a V6, coupled to a 5-speed gearbox in a front engine, all wheel drive layout (10%-90%, front to rear torque distribution).
GTA V and Online Overview[]
Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
Fuel Tank Size (litres) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | 81 / 130 | 5 | N/A | AWD 10% FWD 90% RWD |
2400 / 5291 | 65 |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
12.3 Seconds | 85 / 137 | 5 | F4 3.8L V6 (Cover) | AWD | Cannot be observed | Cannot be observed |
Modifications[]
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- The Mesa can be modified at TransFenders.
Type | Upgrade | Cost |
---|---|---|
Color | Car Color 1 (64 different colors) | $150 |
Exhausts | Large Exhaust | $250 |
Medium Exhaust | $200 | |
Twin Exhaust | $300 | |
Lights | Round Fog Lamp | $100 |
Square Fog Lamp | $50 | |
Nitro | 2x Nitrous | $200 |
5x Nitrous | $500 | |
10x Nitrous | $1000 | |
Wheels | Import | $820 |
Atomic | $770 | |
Ahab | $1000 | |
Virtual | $620 | |
Access | $1140 | |
Off Road Wheel | $1000 | |
Mega | $1030 | |
Grove | $1230 | |
Twist | $1200 | |
Wires | $1560 | |
Car Stereo | Bass Boost | $100 |
Hydraulics | Hydraulics | $1500 |
- The Transfender in Las Venturas charges 20% more for every modification except colors.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
Category | Modification | Cost (GTA V) | Cost (GTA Online) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Armor | No Armor | $250 | $500 | |
Armor Upgrade 20% | $1,250 | $5,250 | ||
Armor Upgrade 40% | $3,125 | $8,750 | ||
Armor Upgrade 60% | $5,000 | $14,000 | ||
Armor Upgrade 80% | $8,750 | $24,500 | ||
Armor Upgrade 100% | $12,500 | $35,000 | ||
Brakes | Stock Brakes | $250 | $500 | |
Street Brakes | $5,000 | $10,000 | ||
Sport Brakes | $6,750 | $13,500 | ||
Race Brakes | $8,750 | $17,500 | ||
Engine | EMS Upgrade, Level 1 | $2,250 | $4,500 | |
EMS Upgrade, Level 2 | $3,125 | $6,250 | ||
EMS Upgrade, Level 3 | $4,500 | $9,000 | ||
EMS Upgrade, Level 4 | $8,375 | $16,750 | ||
Explosives | Ignition Bomb | N/A | $5,000 | |
Remote Bomb | N/A | $7,500 | ||
Horns | Main article: Los Santos Customs/Horns | - | - | |
Lights | Headlights | Stock Lights | $200 | $400 |
Xenon Lights | $1,000 | $5,000 | ||
Neon Kits | Main article: Los Santos Customs/Lights | - | - | |
Loss/Theft Prevention | Tracker | N/A | $2,000 | |
Full Coverage | N/A | $3,750 | ||
Plates | Blue on White 1 | $50 | $200 | |
Blue on White 2 | $50 | $200 | ||
Blue on White 3 | $50 | $200 | ||
Yellow on Blue | $75 | $300 | ||
Yellow on Black | $150 | $600 | ||
Respray | Main article: Vehicle Customization in GTA V/Respray Colors | - | - | |
Sell | Sell Vehicle | N/A | $3,000 | |
Suspension | Stock Suspension | $100 | $200 | |
Lowered Suspension | $500 | $1,000 | ||
Street Suspension | $1,000 | $2,000 | ||
Sport Suspension | $1,700 | $3,400 | ||
Competition Suspension | $2,200 | $4,400 | ||
Transmission | Stock Transmission | $250 | $500 | |
Street Transmission | $7,375 | $14,750 | ||
Sports Transmission | $8,125 | $16,250 | ||
Race Transmission | $10,000 | $20,000 | ||
Turbo | No Turbo | $1,250 | $2,500 | |
Turbo Tuning | $6,250 | $35,000 | ||
Wheels | Main article: Los Santos Customs/Wheels | - | - | |
Windows | None | $100 | $500 | |
Light Smoke | $200 | $1,500 | ||
Dark Smoke | $450 | $3,500 | ||
Limo | $700 | $5,000 |
Variants[]
CrusaderGrand Theft Auto V & Grand Theft Auto Online |
(Rear quarter view) |
The Crusader is a military version operated by the army, only found in Fort Zancudo. |
Special Variants[]
Military[]
In GTA San Andreas and GTA Vice City Stories, a Mesa depicted to be part of the Military is seen in specific moments in both games:
- The Mesa in GTA San Andreas has been adopted for use by the United States National Guard. One appears only during the "Robbing Uncle Sam" mission, being used by the personnel at the Los Santos National Guard Depot. It may or may not come with a roof and is always painted in military green. It can be saved by the player if they deliberately fail this mission.
- In GTA Vice City Stories, another military Mesa is featured. It is painted in military green and is available in the Fort Baxter Air Base. It will always spawn at the base whastover, making it available throughout the course of the entire game.
Gallery[]
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
Design[]
Version History[]
Prominent Appearances in Gameplay[]
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- Robbing Uncle Sam - A unique green body Mesa in seen entering the army depot after CJ and Ryder stop the truck outside. The vehicle remains during the entire mission and can be stolen.
- Misappropriation - A Mesa spawns at Aldea Malvada during this mission.
- Exports and Imports - The Mesa is one of the 30 vehicles wanted for the side-mission. Placed on the third list.
Grand Theft Auto V[]
- The Mesa appears in the Offroad Races "Ridge Run" and "Eco Friendly".
Locations[]
While more common in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, the Mesa is a rather rare vehicle in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, as it does not spawn much, and only has prominent appearances in missions and when wanted in the Exports and Imports side-mission.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
- Commonly spawned throughout Vice City.
- Sometimes spawns in the car park behind the Hyman Memorial Stadium.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- Sometimes spawns around the Mulholland Safehouse.
- At the base of Mount Chiliad (only when wanted for export).
- Importable from Easter Basin docks after being delivered, for $20,000.
- During the mission "Misappropriation" in various spots around Aldea Malvada, Tierra Robada.
- Seen commonly in Verdant Bluffs and around beach areas in Los Santos, such as Verona Beach, East Beach and Santa Maria Beach.
- Common around Missionary Hill.
- Seen around Greenglass College and Blackfield Stadium.
- The military Mesa can be obtained in the mission "Robbing Uncle Sam".
- Occasionally spawns parked at Madd Dogg's Mansion.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories[]
- Parked in the parking lot at 1102 Washington Street in Washington Beach.
- Rarely spawns near the curb at Fort Baxter Air Base, near the bridge that links to Little Havana. This happens most often when Vic is already driving in a Mesa Grande.
Military Mesa[]
- A military version is found in the northwest area of Fort Baxter Air Base.
Grand Theft Auto V[]
- Fairly common around Los Santos.
- Spawns around Blaine County and other rural areas.
- Spawns in the parking lot at the Korean Plaza.
- Spawns in Two Hoots Falls in Tongva Valley, Los Santos County, San Andreas.
- Spawns in the parking lot at the Rebel Radio Building on Route 68 in Grand Senora Desert, Blaine County.
- Spawns fairly commonly in Paleto Bay.
- Parked next to the curb of the Paleto Tattoo parlor on Duluoz Avenue in Paleto Bay.
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
- The normal Mesa can commonly be found around Blaine County and Los Santos.
Enhanced version[]
- The standard variant spawn outside each of the three Fort Zancudo hangars --3499, 3497, A2-- in a Matte Foliage Green color as of the Smuggler's Run update.[1]
Events[]
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
Enhanced version[]
- Standard variant was available for purchase at Premium Deluxe Motorsport for $30,000 during Vigero ZX Week.
- Despite the vehicle appears as a roofless version in the showroom, it comes with a solid roof when purchased.
Radio Stations[]
- In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the Mesa Grande plays West Coast Talk Radio.
- In Grand Theft Auto V, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Mesa Grande uses the "Pop" group which plays Non-Stop-Pop FM.
- In Grand Theft Auto Online, the default radio stations are grouped by genre. The Mesa Grande uses the "Pop" group which can play:
Trivia[]
General[]
- The name of the vehicle is a reference of the geological formation of the same name, an elevated area of land with a flat top and sides that are usually steep cliffs. It takes its name from its characteristic table-top shape. As an off road vehicle, the name implies it can pass through mesa areas easily.
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City[]
- During the development of GTA Vice City, the Mesa was originally called the Desperado. This is supported by its handling name in the files, "
DESPERAD
".
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas[]
- If an overweight Grove Street gang member sits on the passenger seat, the seat will completely disappear and in its place will be his body. The seat will reappear again once the gang member exits the vehicle.
Grand Theft Auto V and Online[]
- The topless Mesa was originally intended to be purchasable on the Warstock Cache & Carry website, as seen in the website's files.[2]
Grand Theft Auto Online[]
- In GTA Online, it can be selected as both Off-road and SUV in a race, but the Crusader appears only in the "SUV" list, despite being slower, not luxurious and highly used as an off-road vehicle.
See Also[]
- Crusader - Military variant in GTA V.