A few days ago, Mitsubishi Malaysia confirmed Xpander's soon arrival in the country; however, the exact launch date is yet to be revealed by the automaker. Now that we are sure about the MPV's entry, our next concern is how well it will perform in the local market, especially against one of its biggest rivals, the Perodua Aruz.

Also Read: Major rivals Mitsubishi Xpander will go against

Toyota, we'll be pitching the two MPVs - Xpander and Aruz against each other to see if the former is worth the wait or not. Especially with an efficient and reliable car like Aruz around, is it wise for a prospective buyer to wait for the upcoming Xpander?

To fetch an answer, we'll have to compare the two cars on several grounds like design, engine, features, etc. However, since the details on Malaysian-spec Xpander are minimal, we'll be taking details from the Mitsubishi Indonesia that recently received the facelifted Xpander.

Also Read: Mitsubishi Xpander - What to expect?

Let's get started -

Dimensions

Specs	Mitsubishi Xpander	Perodua Aruz
Length	4,475 mm	4,435 mm
Width	1,750 mm	1,695 mm
Height	1,730	1,740 mm
Wheelbase	2,775 mm	2,685 mm
Boot Space	539L(rear seat up)/ 781L (rear seat down)	213L(rear seat up)/ 514L (3rd row rear seat down)
Ground Clearance	205 mm	220 mm
Turning Radius	5.2 meter	5.2 meter

From the table, it is clear that the Xpander is lengthier and broader than the Aruz. This also translates into the larger wheelbase that confirms a roomier cabin. The Xpander is 10 mm shorter than the Aruz, but that isn't a substantial difference. One point where the Aruz steals the limelight is 220 mm of ground clearance compared to the Xpander's 205 mm, making the Perodua warrior more capable of taking on rough terrains and patch roads.

However, its Xpander's boot space that is entirely awestruck, 539-litre with the 3rd-row seat up, is incredible. On the same note, we'll like to inform you that Mitsubishi's MPV is the only car in the class to feature floor-flat second and third row, making loading larger and longer items much more convenient. As for Perodua Aruz, like in most 3-row cars, the seats are positioned above the floor, and they need to be tumbled to full luggage space.

Engine

Specifications	Mitsubishi Xpander	Perodua Aruz
Engine Type	1.5L MIVEC DOHC 16 Valve	1.5L 4CYL DOHC with DUAL VVT-i
Displacement	1,499 cc	1,496 cc
Power	105 PS at 6,000 rpm	102 PS @ 6,000 rpm
Torque	141 Nm at 4,000 rpm	133 Nm @ 4,200 rpm
Transmission	4-speed AT/ 5-speed MT	4-speed AT

It is being said that compared to its massive body, the Xpander houses a smaller engine. However, here the Mitsubishi MPV out-runs the Perodua car both on the power and torque front. Also, the Xpander is available in both manual and automatic transmission options, which is not the case with the Aruz. But that's the case with the Indonesian market, and we wish Mitsubishi brings the Xpander in both MT and AT options in Malaysia as well.

Design

We have said that design is a subjective matter, and each one has a personal choice. However, of the two cars, the 2020 Xpander features a dynamic outer profile, especially with its sleek and sharp headlamps and massive fog lamps. Perodua Aruz, on the other hand, is an elegant looking car with few sporty bits. So, it's totally up to the customer's choice whether he wants to go with the overpowering Xpander or calm Aruz.

Features

Mitsubishi Xpander	Features	Perodua Aruz
LED	Headlamps	LED with Follow-me-home & light guides
Halogen	Fog Lamps	With stylish bezel
Two-tone 16-inch alloy	Wheels	17-inch alloy
LED	Taillamps	LED combination lamps
High-Grade Fabric	Seat Material	Fabric/Leather
Keyless Operating System	Smart entry & push start/stop button	With
Wide 2DIN touchscreen audio with AM/FM, Bluetooth, Smart Phone Connectivity, Voice recognition, and iPhone/iPad/iPad	Audio	Multimedia system with navigation, ‘Smart Link’, HDMI
Manual front & Double Blower AC	Air Con	Digital front with manual rear vents
With	USB & power socket	With
Dual SRS	Airbags	6
With	Hill Start Assist	With
With	Traction Control	With
-	Vehicle Stability Control	With
With	ABS with EBD	With

What sticks with us the most about the Perodua Aruz is that it comes with a 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating; however, elevating it on the safety front is Advanced safety assist 2.0. The said system can detect vehicles and pedestrians and reduce low-to-medium speed accidents. It includes functions like Pre-Collision Warning, Pre-Collision Braking, Front Departure Alert, and Pedal Misoperation Control. The Xpander offers a spacious cabin that's fitted with amazing comforting and safety features.

Conclusion

It's a bit confusing to choose the two cars, as both are equally abled. However, with the Xpander, you have the advantage of a big boot, dynamic styling, and a slightly powerful engine. As for the Aruz, it has already proved its calibre by being one of the best-selling cars in the segment.

Also Read: Buy or Hold: Should you wait for Mitsubishi Xpander or buy Honda BR-V?