Mitsubishi Xpander is a seven-seater crossover SUV that not only caters to the needs of big families but also attracts the adventure-seekers who are looking for a more comfortable and practical SUV to make their journeys a more pleasant one. The Xpander made its global debut in Indonesia back in 2017 and has proved to be a successful product for the company at a global level.

In the local market, the SUV hits the showrooms last November as a locally-assembled model. It is available in a single trim option with four colors to choose from. The Mitsubishi Xpander price in Malaysia starts at RM 91,369 (on-the-road excluding insurance and including SST exemption). Included in the price is a standard 5-Year warranty with unlimited mileage.

Well, what are the things that the Xpander is good at, and what are the areas where it needs improvement? Let’s find out in today’s pros and cons guide.

Mitsubishi Xpander Pros

Futuristic design

The Mitsubishi Xpander has a rugged and aggressive design language featuring a dynamic shield front grille up ahead, teamed up with bumper-embedded headlamps, and sleek daytime running lights. The front bumper with fog lamps also keeps up the sporty look of the car. The SUV rides on dual-tone 16-inch alloy wheels and has sporty LED tail lamps at the rear end that adds more sophistication to its futuristic outlook.

Largest dimensions in its class

Size-wise, the Mitsubishi Xpander measures 4,475 mm in length, 1,750 mm in width, 1730 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,775 mm. With such numbers, the SUV is known to be the widest and longest in its segment, along with a longer wheelbase. The SUV has a ground clearance of 205 mm and a vehicle weight of 1,780 kg, which makes it fit for driving in the city as well as in rural.

Spacious cabin

Mitsubishi has designed the Xpander’s cabin with precision to optimize every inch of space. Its total interior space measures 2840 mm, which can comfortably fit in a whole family of seven adult members. Several storage compartments include a center console box with sliding lid, under-seat clever tray, glove box, second-row back seat pockets, smartphone compartment, side pockets, and cup holders in the second and third row, and cargo floor box with a lid. 

Fuel-efficient engine

Powering the Xpander is a 1.5-litre in-line 4 DOHC, 16-valve MIVEC engine producing a maximum power of 105 PS at 6000 rpm and a peak torque of 141 Nm at 4000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox sending power to the front wheels. The fuel consumption of the SUV is rated at 16.5 kmpl.

Infotainment system with the latest connectivity 

The Malaysian-spec Xpander features a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment display that also supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Telescopic steering adjustment

As a first-in-class feature, the SUV has a tilt and telescopic steering system that can adjust to the optimum height and position for a comfortable driving posture. 

Safety 

The Xpander is a tough car built on Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body. It gets a plethora of safety features comprising dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, hill start assist, active stability & traction control, parking sensor, all-around monitor, ISOFIX child anchor, and lane change turn signal system. 

Mitsubishi Xpander Cons

Interior outlook

Undoubtedly, the Xpander’s cabin is spacious but if we see the design, we can say that the automaker has not put in the similar effort in beautifying the car’s interior as it has done to the exterior. The boring look interior does not go well with the futuristic exterior.

Only two airbags

Although SUV has an adequate safety pack which helped it to get a 4-star rating at the ASEAN NCAP testing, it just has two airbags. In comparison, the Toyota Rush comes with six airbags.

Four-speed automatic transmission

The automatic transmission shifts the car when the driver hits a certain speed. The Xpander uses a 4-speed gearbox, which is somehow not suitable for the seven-seater SUV as it causes the motor to roar painfully at high speeds.  One extra gear or a CVT could be the better companion for the MIVEC engine.

Summing up

There you have it guys. These are the areas where we think the Mitsubishi Xpander excels and disappoints. Overall, it offers a combination of style, practicality, and competitive pricing.

Also read: 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander set for debut on Amazon Live next week