2023 Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Avanza: Rival seven-seater duel
For 2022, both Toyota and Mitsubishi go all-in with each of their big guns. As in, each brand updated their own respective market-moving seven-seater MPV models.
2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Facelift: What’s New? (w/ Driving Impressions) - Philkotse Quick Look
For Mitsubishi Philippines, it recently launched the refreshed Xpander. It now gets a sportier-looking exterior, plus more in the way of ground clearance.
In turn, Toyota Philippines released the next-generation Avanza for the local market. It uses a totally different platform, and it comes with a host of improvements inside and out.
2022 Toyota Avanza: Better Than Ever (w/ Driving Impressions) - Philkotse Quick Look | Philkotse
So which of these two is better in terms of specs? Let’s find out by comparing the Xpander GLS 1.5 AT and the Avanza G 1.5 CVT. Both are priced above Php 1 million, and both are the top-spec variants of their respective models.
2023 Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Avanza: Exterior
In terms of size, the Mitsubishi Xpander is 4,595mm long, 1,750mm wide, and 1,750mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,775mm, and a ground clearance of 225mm.
The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander
Meanwhile, the Toyota Avanza is 4,395mm long, 1,730mm wide, and 1,700mm in height. Its wheelbase then spans 2,750mm, as well as a ground clearance of 190mm.
Mitsubishi Xpander GLS 1.5 AT | Dimensions | Toyota Avanza G 1.5 AT |
4,595mm | Length | 4,395mm |
1,750mm | Width | 1,730mm |
1,750mm | Height | 1,700mm |
2,775mm | Wheelbase | 2,750mm |
225mm | Ground clearance | 190mm |
Overall, the Mitsubishi model is larger compared to the Toyota. It also has a longer wheelbase, and significantly higher ground clearance.
The 2022 Toyota Avanza
For exterior equipment, both come with LED exterior lighting such as headlamps, front fog lamps, and taillights. Only the Xpander gets LED daytime running lamps.
The Xpander rides on a set of 17-inch wheels as standard, while the Avanza gets a set of 16-inch alloys.
Mitsubishi Xpander GLS 1.5 AT | Exterior equipment | Toyota Avanza G 1.5 AT |
LED | Headlights | LED |
LED | Daytime running lights | None |
LED | Taillights | LED |
With | Front fog lamps | With |
17-inch | Wheel size | 16-inch |
Alloy | Wheel type | Alloy |
2023 Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Avanza: Interior
Inside, the Xpander and the Avanza can seat up to seven occupants. Both are then equipped with manual air-conditioning, a push-to-start button, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, and fabric-wrapped seats.
Mitsubishi Xpander GLS 1.5 AT | Interior equipment | Toyota Avanza G 1.5 AT |
Fabric | Seat material | Fabric |
Manual | Driver’s seat adjustment | Manual |
Tilt and telescopic | Steering wheel adjustment | Tilt and telescopic |
Manual | Air-conditioning type | Manual |
Push-to-start | Ignition | Push-to-start |
7 | Seating capacity | 7 |
Their second-row seats also have 60:40 folding capability, as well as a 50:50 split-folding third row. The one on the Toyota MPV, however, comes with additional modes enabling them to be folded flat. Toyota calls this the ‘long sofa’ mode, which isn’t present on the Xpander.
A peek inside the Mitsubishi Xpander
For entertainment, the Xpander gets a seven-inch touchscreen, while the Avanza is kitted out with a slightly larger eight-inch touchscreen. Both do come with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Inside the Toyota Avanza
When it comes to speakers though, the Xpander gets a total of six, while the Avanza only gets four.
Mitsubishi Xpander GLS 1.5 AT | On-board tech | Toyota Avanza G 1.5 AT |
7-inch touchscreen | Infotainment system | 8-inch touchscreen |
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB, Bluetooth | Connectivity options | Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB, Bluetooth |
Six | # of speakers | Four |
2023 Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Avanza: Engine and Performance
Before comparing engine outputs, let’s compare their platforms. As the 2022, the Avanza now uses a unibody frame and a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. In that regard, it is now identical with the Xpander.
A view of the Xpander's rear end
Both also use a MacPherson strut suspension for the front, and a torsion beam for the rear. For braking, these two models use front disc and rear drum brakes. As for parking brakes, the new Xpander now comes with an electronic switch activated version, whereas the Avanza still uses a hand-operated manual parking brake.
When it comes to engines, the Xpander comes standard with a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline mill capable of making up to 103 horsepower and 141 Nm of torque. It is then paired with a four-speed automatic gearbox.
Compare that to the Avanza G, which uses a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine that can produce up to 105 horsepower and 138 Nm of torque.
The Avanza from the rear
With that said, the Avanza makes a bit more at least on paper. A difference of 2 horsepower and 3 Nm of torque however, can be negligible on the road. On the other hand, it can be guaranteed that these two will have distinct driving characteristics due to having different transmissions.
Specs | Mitsubishi Xpander GLS 1.5 AT | Toyota Avanza G 1.5 AT |
Engine | Inline-4 gasoline | Inline-4 gasoline |
Displacement | 1.5-liter | 1.5-liter |
Transmission | 4-speed AT | CVT |
Horsepower | 103 | 105 |
Torque | 141 Nm | 138 Nm |
Drivetrain | Front-wheel-drive | Front-wheel-drive |
2023 Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Avanza: Safety
Where safety is concerned, both the top-spec variants of the Xpander and the Avanza come with what you’d expect from a modern MPV model. They offer anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, stability control, and traction control.
Both models also have hill-start assist, a car alarm, and an engine immobilizer as well. Something extra that the Avanza brings to the table is blind-spot detection, which is not present on the Xpander.
Moreover, the Avanza gets a total of six airbags, whereas the Xpander only has two airbags.
Mitsubishi Xpander GLS 1.5 AT | Safety equipment | Toyota Avanza G 1.5 AT |
2 | Airbags | 6 |
With | Antilock braking with EBD | With |
With | Reverse camera | With |
With | Cruise control | With |
With | Hill-start assist | With |
With | Stability control | With |
With | ISOFIX | With |
None | Blind-spot detection | With |
With | Engine immobilizer | With |
With | Security alarm | With |
2023 Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Avanza: Price
Mitsubishi Xpander Variants | Price |
Xpander GLX 1.5 MT | Php 1,050,000 |
Xpander GLX 1.5 AT | Php 1,110,000 |
Xpander GLS 1.5 AT | Php 1,180,000 |
Toyota Avanza Variants | Price |
Avanza J 1.3 MT | Php 813,000 |
Avanza E 1.3 MT | Php 928,000 |
Avanza E 1.3 CVT | Php 984,000 |
Avanza G 1.5 CVT | Php 1,039,000 |
>>> You can refer to:
2023 Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Avanza: Conclusion
As one can see, the Xpander and Avanza are a match against each other when it comes to engine output, and on-board features.
The Xpander's second row
Then again, the Avanza has the slight advantage in terms of safety, with more airbags and having blind-spot detection. Plus, it managed to do so while starting at a lower price point.
However, do note that the Xpander has a potentially roomier interior due to its slightly larger overall dimensions. Then again, the Avanza has the long sofa mode which makes it ideal for camping and whatnot.
The Avanza's second row
Where the Mitsubishi model could have an edge is its increased ground clearance, so it might be better at dealing with bad or unpaved roads which are common on local drives.
For more comparisons like this, keep it here on Philkotse.