If SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles on the market, then MPVs occupy a space close behind. Such is the case for the Mitsubishi Xpander and its SUV-esque sibling, the Xpander Cross. Lumped together under the MPV category in Mitsubishi's lineup, both have become stellar performers in the Japanese brand's quest for sales supremacy in the country.

Competing against the likes of the Suzuki Ertiga, Honda Mobilio, and the Toyota Avanza, the Xpander sought to be the refined small MPV for the gentlemanly Filipino. It did so very well with refined, well-built interiors and smooth drivetrains that you usually pay top money for. 

Given that the Mitsubishi Xpander had several good qualities and was at a reasonable price point for the segment, it was naturally going to make the top of the charts for Mitsubishi’s sales reports. The MPV has reported five-digit sales numbers since its introduction in 2018. And with last year's 16,309 units sold, there are now at least 70,685 Xpanders on Philippine roads today.

But what might have surprised many would be that it would become one of the best-selling MPVs in the Philippine market in 2021. With sales close to 2,000 in July of 2021, the Mitsubishi Xpander was not only the company's best-seller but also a top seller in the MPV market.

Value for money

Maybe it’s because the Mitsubishi Xpander is pretty well equipped for its price. Aside from the usual features like reversing cameras and traction control, it is loaded with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also gives buyers cruise control - commonplace in many vehicles but not so in the budget MPV segment. 

Practical utility

Another reason is that the Mitsubishi Xpander has a flat and quite spacious load bay in five-seater mode, offering buyers 750 liters of space for all their cargo needs. Should passengers necessitate the third row, there’s still around a quarter of that space available, which is enough for some bags and items to make your six passengers more comfortable.

Simple and straightforward

In truth, however, the popularity of the Mitsubishi Xpander goes deeper than that. Because of the archaic architecture wrapped under the futuristic skin, the Xpander feels wonderfully simple to use, with no frills to distract and annoy you.

Aside from the parking brake and air-con controls, which are now electronic, and the instrument cluster, now an LCD panel, the rest of the instrumentation is as they have been for the last five years. This makes controlling the Mitsubishi Xpander intuitive and second nature.

It’s why you see the Mitsubishi Xpander and Xpander Cross on every major road in every major city in the Philippines. The simple and familiar driving position, controls, and tried and tested mechanicals make it a no-brainer choice for those looking for an uncomplicated commute and wanting to get from Point A to Point B without worrying.

And perhaps, that’s part of what endears them to the Mitsubishi Xpander. The sense of familiarity and of purpose, which some other cars lack.