Mitsubishi Xpander

Overview

The Xpander became Mitsubishi Motors' first passenger car to be exported abroad from Indonesia. The Philippines is Xpander's first export destination in the ASEAN region, the next countries that are the destination are Thailand, Vietnam, and several other international markets.

In the Philippines this car is offered in four variants. At the bottom there is the GLX MT, then the GLX Plus AT, GLS AT and GLS Sport AT. In addition, the exported Mitsubishi Xpander has differences from local products. In addition to the steering wheel position on the left, the Xpander for the Philippines market also has cruise control for all variant lines, reverse parking sensors and rear fog lights. While the engine specifications are still the same.

Mitsubishi Xpander Philippines will go up against the Honda BR-V and Perodua Aruz/Toyota Rush twins. Only one variant is offered, and it comes with leather seats, a dashcam, 360-degree view camera and of course, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support through its 9-inch touchscreen infotainment. 

History

The Xpander Cross is an MPV crossover vehicle that combines the comfort of an MPV with the toughness of an SUV. The Xpander Cross was launched in Indonesia for the first time, followed later to the automotive market in other ASEAN countries such as the Philippines. The Xpander debuted in the Philippines on March 1, 2018 and went on sale in May 2018 as a replacement for Adventure. The imported model, initially available in four trim levels: GLX, GLX Plus, GLS and GLS Sport. 

The updated Xpander was launched in the Philippines in March 2020 alongside the Xpander Cross, which replaces the GLS Sport trim, making the regular Xpander available in three trim levels. The Xpander Black Series was launched on November 4, 2021, replacing the chrome trim with matte black trim on the front and rear fascia, body panels and door panels. The Xpander facelift was released on March 5, 2022. For the Philippines market, the Xpander facelift still uses a 4-speed automatic transmission. The GLX Plus variant was removed from the lineup and replaced by the GLX automatic variant.

Price

Mitsubishi Xpander price in the Philippines starts at P1,008,000.00. The lowest price is the Mitsubishi Xpander GLX MT, ranging all the way up to the Mitsubishi Xpander 1.5 GLS AT (Pre-selling) priced at P1,160,000.00.

Exterior

The front shows the appearance of a new bumper. The skid plate assembly is made lower to get a wider intake. Coupled with the halogen fog lamps that are spread across all Xpander trims. then on the sides, where the 17-inch alloy wheels replace the 16-inch model that was previously installed on the top trim variant. The two-tone wheels also present a distinct masculine impression on this car, plus Side Sill Garnish as a compliment. The back does not miss getting a design refinement. One of them is by providing a new form of the LED taillight unit combined with LED brake lights to increase visibility while driving. And for practicality, Xpander is equipped with Electric Switch Tail Gate Door Handle.

Dimensions

The Mitsubishi Xpander Philippines measures 4,475 x 1,750 x 1,730 mm (length x width x height).  Its wheelbase is 2,775 mm.

Lighting

Bi-LED headlights, halogen positioning lights and fog lamps. Round the back there’s a set of L-shaped LED-combination rear lights and a rear fog light.

Wheels

In phlipines, Mitsubushi Xpander uses wheels a 17-inch alloy.

Interior

It’s a practical car, with lots of spaces to organise your stuff. There’s a cargo box, big centre console, rear air-cond vents and a two-tier boot floor.  In addition, the interior has been refreshed with a New Accent Instrument Panel and Door Trim Wood Panel in the Ultimate and Exceed variants. Then Door Trim Silver Panel on the Sport variant. For the Ultimate and Sport variants, the Head Unit has a 7-inch Touch Screen Audio with Smartphone Connectivity which makes driving easier. Especially for the Sport variant, it is now equipped with the Hands Free Steering Switch feature to make it easier for the driver to connect to the phone, but still be safe while driving.

Dashboard

The higher trim has got a two-tone instrument panel which certainly gives this car a luxurious feel. Horizontal sculptures are tasked with adding to the impression of space in the cabin. Replacing the diagonally curved styled dashboard in the previous edition. There’s a four-inch multi-info display in between analogue dials, and there’s also a two-tiered glove box. 

Space&practically

It seats seven comfortably, with adequate head and legroom. The second- and third-row seats fold flat as well to allow you to keep more stuff. Mitsubishi mentions that it has received the latest 3D-style seat design for an elegant impression in the cabin. While legroom and headroom don't seem to be that much different, even though this time the Xpander gets various feature enhancements for passengers in the cabin.

Boot

Boot space is a maximum 1,630 litres when the second- and third-row seats are folded flat. With the third-row seat up, it is 495 litres.

Features

Safety features

The development of vehicle security technology is one of the focuses of the automotive industry, because it concerns safety. So it's not surprising that security features and devices are getting more and more attention from increasingly smart car consumers. Here are some of the available Mitsubishi Xpander features:

1. Dual SRS-Airbag
Airbags have been embedded in the front cabin of all Xpander types, including the GLX type as the lowest variant.
2. Advanced Brake Technology
Xpander is equipped with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution).
3. Active Stability Control (ASC)
This feature serves to maintain the stability of the car when cornering at high speeds, so that the car does not experience under-steer or over-steer.
4. Hill Start Assist Control (HSA)
This feature prevents the car from reversing when it has to stop on an incline, for example because it is stuck in traffic on an incline.
5. Emergency Stop Signal (ESS)
This feature signals other vehicles either in front, behind or side. That is, all the lights will flash if the driver brakes suddenly.
6. Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE)
This is a technology body frame made of High Tensile Metal, so that the inside of the cabin is protected from impact because the frame is stronger.
7. Pedestrian Protection
In the case of this car crashing into a person, injury is minimized by a rounded front shape, not sharp-edged and made of non-metallic materials.
8. Adjustable Head Rest
The head rest on the Mitsubishi Xpander is all adjustable, or the height can be adjusted according to the passenger's posture. The head rest is also a safety feature because it prevents neck injuries in the event of a collision.
9. 3-Point Safety Belt
Seat belts have been provided with a 3-point design for all passengers, including the middle passenger in the second row.

Comfort features

Standard leather seats, four air-cond vents for rear passengers, electric folding rear view mirror, adjustable seats, multi-function steering wheel, cup holders-front&rear and storage spaces etc.

Infotainment features

9-inch touchscreen headunit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, blaring music through 6-speakers. in addition, Mitsubishi Xpander has two types of head units. The first is a double din with a 6.2-inch touch screen for the Ultimate variant. Second, double din without a touch screen for the Sport, Exceed, and GLS variants. For head units, all head units in all variants are equipped with MP3/CD Player, USB Connector, Radio, and Aux-In. In the Ultimate variant, the audio features are more complete, because it is also equipped with a DVD Player and reverse camera.

Powertrain performance

Engine

The Xpander comes with the NC1W gasoline engine from Mitsubishi. The MPV is capable enough and it has a four-cylinder motor under the hood which means engine noise and vibration will be kept to a minimum. Mitsubishi employed a 1.5-liter DOHC gasoline engine with Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control (MIVEC). This four-cylinder can produce a total of 105 hp with 141 Nm of torque and comes mated to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. 

Transmission

The Mitsubishi Xpander Philippines gets 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. 

Chassis

There is electric power steering, disc brakes in front and drum brakes behind. Suspension are MacPherson struts in front and a torsion beam at the rear.

Drivetrain

The Mitsubishi Xpander Philippines is front-wheel drive.

Riding & Control

As a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), spaciousness and vehicle comfort are the main requirements. Moreover, this car is widely used as a family vehicle and for daily activities. Unlike other MPVs, the Mitsubishi Xpander tires are made using a wider profile to maximize damping with the suspension inheriting the technology of the Lancer Evolution X sports sedan. The Xpander also has a strutbar taken from the Lancer on the top mounting lever for the front shockbreaker. This makes before the shock swings to meet the hydraulic bump stop stuck, there is a damper stopper. This is what provides better stability.

Fuel consumption

The fuel consumption of the Mitsubishi Xpander is 8.9L/100km (the most fuel-efficient), and the highest fuel consumption is 8.9L/100km. Fuel consumption is most intuitively measured as the fuel required to travel a unit distance, which is known as L/100 kilometers.

Conclusion

The Mitsubishi Xpander Philippines is bigger than its segment rivals, and with a healthy amount of kit, it is worth looking at for people looking to start a family or for those who prefer a bigger car as a daily.