As the spiritual successor to the venerable Mitsubishi Adventure AUV (Asian Utility Vehicle), the Xpander has particularly big shoes to fill.
What made the Adventure such a household name is its versatility as both personal transport and business vehicle. Fortunately, Mitsubishi’s newest multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is proving that it’s every bit as capable in that regard.
Which 2020 Mitsubishi Xpander should you buy? – Variant Comparison
The previous light truck chassis that the Adventure used is gone; in its place is an all-new platform that gives the Mitsubishi Xpander ride comfort and handling akin to that of a sedan, albeit with an increase in ride height. Interior space is cavernous, with configurable seats able to strike a balance between passenger and cargo capacity.
The Xpander is the refined version of the old Adventure AUV
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As the Xpander was clearly meant to follow in the Adventure’s footsteps, there’s one consideration that buyers keep an eye on: fuel consumption.
Throughout its 20-year run, the Adventure ran on an ancient 4D56 diesel engine (the 4G63 gasoline option shared with the Galant sedan was phased out in the mid-2000s), paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
The Adventure was popular with families due to its versatility
Despite the Adventure’s heavy frame, the diesel-and-manual combo enabled it to reach double-digit fuel economy numbers in mixed highway and city driving.
So, does the Xpander compare to the Adventure in terms of fuel efficiency?
The MPV seems to be at a disadvantage at first glance. First, it uses a 1.5L gasoline engine, which drew a fair amount of criticism for being a bit too small to haul a seven-seater vehicle.
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A smaller gasoline engine has to haul the Xpander's mass
Most of the range is also equipped with a 4-speed torque converter automatic, which did not help things due to its inherent inefficiency (a 5-speed manual is available on the base trim).
However, there are elements of the Xpander that mitigate this perception somewhat. The new chassis and RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body contribute to weight reduction, and the power steering is electrically-assisted, reducing the load on the engine.
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There's an overdrive button on the 4-speed automatic
The front-wheel drivetrain does away with the extra burden of a driveshaft and live rear axle. Plus, despite the smaller displacement on the Xpander’s 4A91 power plant, its Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control system (MIVEC) automatically shifts cam profiles according to engine speed, balancing power and efficiency in a range of driving conditions.
A fuel efficiency run previously conducted by the Department of Energy yielded a fuel consumption of almost 23 km/liter, running an average distance of 236 kms. along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx).
As is the case with most vehicles, you need to give the Xpander room to stretch its legs
In real-world driving scenarios with stop-and-go traffic, that figure goes down to around 8 or 9 km/liter with two occupants on board. Driving from Antipolo to Subic for instance, with four occupants and luggage at the rear, netted an average of 16.4 km/liter, which still isn’t a bad figure overall.
From the looks of things, Mitsubishi made the right call in passing the Adventure’s torch to the Xpander.
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Know more about Mitsubishi Xpander 2024
The 2024 Mitsubishi Xpander is a seven-seater MPV for the Philippine market. As of the 2024 model year, there are three available variants for this model. There’s the Xpander GLX 1.5 MT, the Xpander GLX 1.5 AT, and the Xpander GLS 1.5 AT. These range in price from Php 1,068,000 to Php 1,266,000.
Size-wise, the Xpander has a length of 4,595mm, a width of 1,750mm, and a height of 1,750mm. It also has a wheelbase that spans 2,775mm, and a ground clearance of 225mm.
Under the hood, this Mitsubishi MPV uses a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine that’s capable of producing up to 103 horsepower and 141 Nm of torque. It then uses a front-wheel-drive layout. Depending on the trim, it either gets a four-speed automatic gearbox, or a five-speed manual transmission.
>>> New and used Mitsubishi Xpander 2024 for sale in the Philippines
Mitsubishi Xpander Launch
The updated 2024 Mitsubishi Xpander was introduced to the Philippine market in May 2022. It comes with some slight exterior, interior, and mechanical changes. Available variants for this model include the Xpander GLX 1.5 MT, Xpander GLX 1.5 AT, and the Xpander GLX 1.5 AT.
Mitsubishi Xpander Exterior
On the outside, the Xpander for the 2024 model year gets an updated front grille and bumper design. It now incorporates a mesh, as well as a black-colored slatted grille. It also gets a pair of T-shaped daytime running lamps on the front and a pair of new T-shaped on the rear. It then rides on a set of 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels.
Mitsubishi Xpander Interior
Inside, the updated Xpander now comes with a redesigned dashboard which also hosts a sleeker control cluster for its air-conditioning unit. It also gets a center armrest. Likewise, its steering wheel also received a redesign.
Being a facelift, it does retain the same generous interior space, as well as its ability to fit up to seven passengers. The driver is also provided with a tilt and telescopic steering column, a push-to-start button, and cruise control, among other features.
Technology & Safety Features
On the dashboard of the 2024 Xpander is a seven-inch headunit. This infotainment system, which is now standard across all trims, now has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is then linked to a six-piece speaker system.
Safety-wise, it comes with dual front airbags, anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, stability control, traction control, hill-start assist, ISOFIX child seat anchors, etc.
Mitsubishi Xpander Platform & Chassis
The Mitsubishi Xpander is a five-door compact MPV that uses a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. It then gets a MacPherson strut for the front and a torsion beam suspension for the rear. Braking is then handled by front disc brakes, a rear drum brake, and a manual hand-operated parking brake.
Mitsubishi Xpander Engine & Drivetrain
Standard on all Xpander trims is a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine that can produce up to 103 horsepower and 141 Nm of torque. The GLX may come with a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic gearbox. The top-spec GLS meanwhile exclusively uses a four-speed automatic transmission.
In the Philippine market, the Mitsubishi Xpander has three different color options. These are Graphite Gray, Sterling Silver Metallic, and Jet Black Mica.
Mitsubishi Xpander 2024 Price List
| Variants | Price |
|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Xpander 1.5 GLX MT | ₱1,068,000 |
| Mitsubishi Xpander 1.5 GLX AT | ₱1,128,000 |
| Mitsubishi Xpander 1.5 GLS AT | ₱1,216,000 |
Mitsubishi Xpander FAQs
1. How many variants does the Mitsubishi Xpander 2024 in the Philippines have?
In the Philippines, the Mitsubishi Xpander 2024 is available in 3 variants GLX MT, GLX AT, and GLS AT.
2. How to start the Mitsubishi Xpander?
The Mitsubishi Xpander GLS gets a push-to-start button, while the GLX trims come with a turn-key ignition system.
3. Is the Mitsubishi Xpander an SUV?
Technically speaking, the Mitsubishi Xpander is a unibody MPV.
4. How much do all 3 variants of the Mitsubishi Xpander 2024 cost?
The GLX MT, GLX AT, and GLS AT are priced respectively at P1,068,000; P1,128,000; and P 1,216,000.
₱ 1,068,000 - ₱ 1,198,000
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