The new Mitsubishi Xpander has indeed improved, but can it still compete?
So Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) which I will simply call Mitsubishi for the sake of simplicity invited us for a short trip to Malacca over the past 2 days (Wednesday and Thursday) to test drive the new and improved Xpander MPV, while it has indeed improved, in a very competitive market, can its steep price tag still compete?
Design
The new Mitsubishi Xpander is, no doubt, a very handsome compact MPV, Mitsubishi even repeatedly stated that it now sports “SUV styling.” Personally, I don’t see it but I do think it has a healthy balance of sharp and round edges while maintaining a very balanced side profile despite being rather long.
Moreover, the more pronounced “Dynamic Shield” grille also makes the car look slightly sportier than before and of course the top spec Xpander Plus takes this a step further with a body kit complete with a well sized rear wing. As a refresher the base model Xpander now goes for RM99,980 while the top spec Xpander plus retails at RM109,980.
While the style has definitely evolved, I think that the new Mitsubishi Xpander simply looks too similar to the outgoing model. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing but considering how most other cars in its price range and its segment (some of which are much cheaper too) are sporting bild new looks, the Xpander simply looks outdated now.
Performance and Handling
105PS of power may seem impressive from the mighty 1.5 litre MIVEC engine but considering the Xpander is a 7-seater, many will wonder if the car makes enough power. Well, the 141Nm of torque the engine produces was more than powerful enough to carry 3 above average size men and our luggage uphill so power is not an issue.
Of course, the engine does scream quite a bit when moving from standstill at first and isn’t the quickest accelerating car out there but this is a family MPV. You don’t buy a Mitsubishi Xpander to race the sports cars on the highway, you buy it because you want something practical, comfortable and spacious which is also hassle free.
On top of that, despite being a big (debatable but it is still bigger than most sedans so I will consider it big) family MPV, the ride and handling was surprisingly nimble. I’d even go so far as to say the handling was almost sedan-like even with the bigger springs (now 20mm bigger) underneath and relatively soft suspension.
The ground clearance is now also higher and the entire Mitsubishi Xpander is now wider than before too but it does not feel that way when driving as it is very easy to guess how the car will fit in a lane plus it also means more space inside and the spacious cabin was definitely one of the main attractions of this car.
Comfort and Safety
The biggest shock that I had with the new and improved Mitsubishi Xpander is the lack of sophisticated ADAS features. In 2024, cars costing half the price of this family MPV have a whole suite of these features so Mitsubishi foregoing ADAS was a surprise. Plus it only has 2 airbags but Mitsubishi assured us they did all this based on market research.
Despite all this, the Mitsubishi Xpander itself felt sturdy and very safe, plus the inclusion of a basic cruise control and front and rear recording DVR also helped make long rides far more comfortable and convenient. Comfort is something the car does exceptionally well too as the seats (fabric on the base model and leatherette on the top spec) are very soft.
The third row isn’t the most spacious but it is certainly more than comfortable enough for children and smaller adults but the front and second row are a treat to be in. The second row even has its own cooling vent with adjustable fan speeds and adjustable angles to keep you feeling cool in our hot Malaysian weather.
What’s more, Mitsubishi also says that the NVH level of the new and improved Xpander have been improved and from what I gather, most of the media agreed. I personally felt it was very quiet and relaxing inside the car and even fell asleep every time I was in the second row so NVM and comfort are very good in this family MPV.
Practicality
From cupholders to cubby spaces to even now an armrest for the front row passengers, the new and improved Mitsubishi Xpander is extremely practical and more spacious than its title of “compact MPV” would suggest. The front 2 seats are comfortable and can easily hold larger adults while the second row is more than capable of seating 3 adults abreast.
There is no shortage of storage spaces in the Mitsubishi Xpander and more space than anyone would ever need. It is perfect for hauling the entire family and some luggage or a small family and tons of luggage for any trip or holiday. The impressive ground clearance also means it is capable of handling rough roads and steep inclines too.
Technology
Well, we all knew this was coming. What I feel is the weak link in the new Mitsubishi Xpander is its outdated technology. Yes it does come with AndroidAuto and Apple CarPlay, but the reverse camera quality is far from acceptable, especially considering the very hefty price tag.
The small digital display in between the two analog dials are also a huge step down from the more popular fully digital driver displays that we have been seeing as of late. To be very honest, I find the Mitsubishi Xpander really lacks a lot of tech that its competitors all have. However, it makes up for this in practicality, comfort and superb handling.
Final thoughts
After driving the new Mitsubishi Xpander from KL to Melaka and also being driven in it, I can very confidently say that despite the price tag confusing me at first, I can see the appeal of this car. The new and improved Mitsubishi Xpander isn’t trying to be like every other MPV on the market.
This car has a very quirky charm to it that most will miss if not paying close attention. It is definitely the most practical and handles the best out of all the MPVs I have seen so far but the fact that it costs a fair bit more than the competition and severely lacks the same safety features the others have, I am worried many Malaysians will write it off too early.
Sadly, the consumer can choose how they spend their money and as much as I like the new and improved Mitsubishi Xpander, it is not easy justifying its price tag especially since most Malaysians see safety specs on a piece of paper and trust it more than a test drive. So I urge anyone on the market to please test drive this car before judging it.
In conclusion, the new and improved Mitsubishi Xpander is a fun, practical, simple, reliable and relatively cheap to maintain option if you want comfort and convenience for the entire family. A spec sheet can only tell half the story but how a car makes you feel when you drive it is also very important so test drive this car and see if it is right for you.
