Mitsubishi Xpander

The Mitsubishi Xpander is a long body and the wheel overhangs are short. This makes the cabin very spacious right from the onset. Even the third-row has ample legroom for tall occupants. The third row can be folded to accommodate extra cargo.

The dashboard has a fine touch of elegance to it. It has a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that gets smartphone mirroring and Bluetooth connectivity. As for the audio system, there is a set of six speakers inside the cabin that can turn any boring drive into an interesting one. The top trim gets a leather-wrapped steering cover. There are charging points on all the three rows and there are many cubby storage holes too.

The Mitsubishi Xpander is one of the most stylishly-designed MPV, though looks can be subjective. A lot of people might find the design to be overdone, especially in the front end. However, unconventional placement of the headlamps and the highly sculpted grille and bumper impose an impression of being very sporty and expensive. The rear end is no different and the combination of LED taillights provide testimony.

The MPV rides on 15-inch wheels on the base model while the higher variants get bigger 16-inch rollers. It has a high ground clearance of 205 mm and is suspended over MacPherson Strut front and Torsion beam rear shock absorbers. The car is available in five colour options - Sterling Silver Grey, Titanium Grey, Jet Black Mica, Quartz White Pearl, and Red Metallic.

The ride quality of the Mitsubishi Xpander leaves very little to complain about. The power from the engine is decent for city traffic, even with the MPV full to its capacity. The car does look big (almost 4.5 metres in length), but the steering makes it easy to manoeuvre without many efforts.

The presence of tilt and telescopic adjustment on the steering further makes it very convenient for the driver on long hauls. The suspension setup and the presence of cruise control as standard also go a long way into making the Xpander a very driver-friendly MPV.

Buyers of the Mitsubishi Xpander have only one engine option to choose from. The 1.5-litre engine has an in-line 4-cylinder layout and can churn out a maximum power of 105 PS at 6,000 rpm, along with a peak torque of 141 Nm, which comes in at 4,000 rpm.

However, there are two transmission options available. Only the base model gets a 5-speed manual, while the other variants get a 4-speed automatic unit. The performance is uncompromised in the city. However, the moment you hit the highway with all the seven seats occupied, you will feel that the engine runs breathless at high RPM since the average power and torque aren’t very fulfilling.

The braking setup on the Mitsubishi Xpander is brilliant, albeit the absence of discs for the rear might hurt a little. The front wheels get 15-inch ventilated discs while the rear gets 9-inch drums. Moreover, the brakes get a vacuum booster too to better performance. Anti-lock braking system and electronic brakeforce distribution are offered too.

There are two airbags for the driver and front passenger, while 3-point seat beats are offered for all the occupants. Other driver’s assistance features include active stability control, traction control and hill start assist.

Considering what most of the prospective car buyers in the Philippines look for, the Mitsubishi Xpander is the perfect option to go for. It is affordable and has a lot to offer the owners, including versatility. It is big, spacious and has loads of features on offer and is best for big families who love weekend drives and picnics.