The local automotive landscape has seen a surge of multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) and sport utility vehicles (SUV) in the past few years. The demand for these automobiles has increased drastically as many Filipino car buyers appreciate the practicality of owning a vehicle with seven seats.
On that note, we pit together two of today’s most popular nameplates that can comfortably accommodate seven passengers: the Mitsubishi Xpander and the Toyota Veloz. Wondering which of these models best suits your budget and your motoring needs? Join us in this seven-seater battle to find out.
The new Mitsubishi Xpander offers a modern-looking front end thanks to its new dynamic shield front fascia flanked by the MPV’s new T-shaped headlamps and new LED daytime running lamps (DRL). The same design is echoed at the rear with its new T-shaped tail lights and new rear bumper and skid plate. Its side is highlighted by a set of new 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels.
On the other hand, the Toyota Veloz sports a more traditional look. This SUV carries Toyota’s new design language with plenty of sharp corners and aggressive angles. At the fore of the Toyota Veloz are a large grille bordered by a pair of split-type LED headlamps, LED clearance lamps (with line guide), and front fog lamps on each side. At the back are LED rear combination lamps, a backdoor garnish with an LED line guide, as well as a rear spoiler. On its side are overfenders housing 17-inch alloy wheels.
Although classified as an MPV, the Mitsubishi Xpander is longer and taller than the Toyota Veloz which is now categorized as an SUV. The former measures 4,595 millimeters (mm) long, 1,750mm wide, and 1,750mm tall. Meanwhile, the latter is 4,475mm long, 1,775mm wide, and 1,700 tall.
The Mitsubishi Xpander also has better ground clearance at 225mm with the Toyota Veloz offering 190mm.
Because of better dimensions and ground clearance, we give this round to the Mitsubishi Xpander.
The Mitsubishi Xpander’s cockpit features a multi-functional steering wheel wrapped in porous leather. Past it is the instrument cluster that has a combination of analog and digital gauges. Atop the beautiful dashboard is a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Seats on the Mitsubishi Xpander are finished in soft fabric. The front-row armrest is swathed in leather material.
Likewise, the Toyota Veloz also greets the driver with a multi-functional leather steering wheel. However, this SUV packs a seven-inch full-digital instrument panel that sits next to either an eight-inch or a nine-inch infotainment system, also with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
As for its seats, they are finished with a fabric and leather material. There’s also an armrest at the front row, also wrapped in leather.
Both the Mitsubishi Xpander and the Toyota Veloz are neck and neck when it comes to what they have to offer in the cabin. However, the more appealing interior amenities of the Toyota Veloz allowed it to gain a slight advantage over the Mitsubishi Xpander. That said, we give this round to the Toyota Veloz.
Under the hood of the Mitsubishi Xpander is a 1.5-liter gasoline mill that makes 103 horsepower (hp) and 141Nm of torque. It can be mated with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission, depending on the variant.
And while the Toyota Veloz is fitted with a similar 1.5-liter gasoline powerplant, it makes more power at 104 horses. However, it has less torque at 138Nm. Across the board, the Toyota Veloz’s engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Both the Mitsubishi Xpander and the Toyota Veloz have very close performance figures. And while the former may have more pulling power, the latter offers better numbers when it comes to power. That said, we call this round a tie.
The Mitsubishi Xpander offers a decent suite of safety features. These include the front airbags, hill start assist, brake assist, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), active stability control, and traction control. It also comes with a reverse camera.
Not to be outdone, the Toyota Veloz comes equipped with its own set of airbags, ABS, rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), vehicle stability control (VSC), hill start assist control (HSA), and blind spot monitoring (BSM). Higher grades also benefit from the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) which adds a pre-collision system (PCS), automatic high beam (AHB), and lane departure alert (LDA).
With equally impressive safety features. We, again, call it a tie.
Both the Mitsubishi Xpander and the Toyota Veloz make for good choices whether one is looking for a family carrier or a weekend travel vehicle. That said, choosing between the two will be a matter of personal preference.
To help you make a better buying decision, let’s look at how much these nameplates will set you back. The Mitsubishi Xpander is offered in four variants priced from P1.05 million. The Toyota Veloz, on the other hand, is offered in two trims priced from P1.21 million.
Photos from Mitsubishi, Toyota, Juan Paulo Papa, and Ruben Manahan IV
Also read:
Toyota PH unveils Veloz subcompact SUV
Mitsubishi introduces new Xpander to assert market leadership in PH
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