Category: Mitsubishi Xpander
Major Facelift For The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross
Posted by Group1 Mitsubishi on 16 Jan 2023
The Mitsubishi Xpander is well-known and well-loved in South Africa – a versatile 7-seater people carrier that looks and acts like an SUV. It gives you the ability to carry a lot of people, or a lot of stuff, or some people and some stuff, even people sitting next to each other with long cargo next to them.
The Xpander Cross, which hasn’t made it to South Africa, was launched three years ago with the basic Xpander we know, but with even more SUV cred.
The Cross has now received a major facelift both inside and on the exterior.
On the safety side it gets Active Yaw Control that improves handling in corners by applying braking force onto the inside front wheel, based on the steering angle, brake pressure, longitudinal G-forces, yaw rate, and wheel speed.
There is a new electric parking brake, a digital instrument cluster and a larger 8-inch instrument cluster. Controls such as climate control are now on a screen and you can charge your phone wirelessly.
The Xpander Cross comes with a naturally aspirated 1.5-petrol engine that gives you 77kW power and 141 Nm torque, either through a CVT or 5-speed manual. The CVT has 220mm ground clearance, while the MT has 225mm. That power and torque and generous ground clearance, as well as the 17” alloy wheels, give it the ability to go on the roads less travelled.
The Cross has had its front and rear overhang stretched by 95mm, and the wheels have a two-tone look with grey accents to match the front and rear skid plates and door garnishes.
The ‘T’ motif on the front is now more prominent and is reflected on the rear of the car, where updated taillights give it a more modern look and feel.
Road tests overseas are very complimentary to the updated Cross, with the total package seen as a pretty well-balanced seven-seater MPV/Crossover.
The Mitsubishi Xpander has proved to be a hit in South Africa with larger families, people with active outdoor hobbies and as versatile staff transport for businesses. Alas, at the moment it does not look as though Mitsubishi will bring the Cross to South Africa. Nevertheless, it is interesting to see how the company continuously push the development envelope in the various markets where it is active.
The post Major Facelift For The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross appeared first on Group1 Mitsubishi Blog.
Battle Of The MPVs: Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Avanza
Posted by Group1 Mitsubishi on 21 Nov 2022
MPV Battle: Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Avanza
The MPV segment doesn’t always get the attention it deserves but the seven-seater segment is more competitive than you may think. This brings us to the Mitsubishi Xpander and how it might compare to the Toyota Avanza since both are among the more popular people carriers.
So, if you’re looking for a family car that can seat seven people in relative comfort with space to boot, here’s a closer look at some of the features, driveability and performance of the Mitsubishi Xpander with some comparisons to the Toyota Avanza.
How Practical Is The Mitsubishi Xpander?
With a family in mind, choosing your next car is not only a matter of personal taste but also the practicality factor. When it comes to the Mitsubishi Xpander, the cabin is just that with various cubbyholes and pockets to help keep your things in order. While the third row of seats might be a little tight for taller adults, the second row offers more room and comfort for three people without any hassle.
As for boot space, the Xpander has a competitive offer of 223 litres with all seven seats in place. However, with the second and third rows of seats folded down, you benefit from up to 1608 litres which is ideal for school bags, groceries, sporting equipment and luggage for those family weekends away. In comparison, the Toyota Avanza offers 128 litres of boot space with all the seats in place and 1,424 litres of boot space with the seats folded down.
What About The Xpander’s Styling?
Since the focus for MPVs and other people carriers is mostly on practicality rather than design, they aren’t always overly flattering. That said, the front and rear of the Mitsubishi Xpander are easily recognisable, especially if you’ve seen the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport; fielding the automaker’s “Dynamic Shield” to make it stand out from the Avanza and similar vehicles in its class.
While the Avanza follows a more traditional design approach, it still looks good but it’s not as distinctive as the Mitsubishi Xpander. You have to give the Mitsubishi designers credit for continuing with the Dynamic Shield concept which has featured even more in 2022. This, together with the T-shaped LED headlights, gives Mitsubishi Xpander a unique appearance; a rare quality in the MPV segment.
As for the rest of the body, everything is tidy with better-integrated side sills and a sleek tailgate and rear bumpers. Sitting on stylish 16-inch allow wheels with a ground clearance of 225mm, compared to 195mm on the Avanza, it looks more like an SUV than an MPV.
A Closer Look At The Interior
The interior follows Mitsubishi’s principle of “Omotenashi” which roughly translates to giving more attention to detail and anticipating the needs of their customers.
While the interior consists of hard plastic, it looks classy and well put together, unlike the Avanza which lacks the same refinement. The dashboard and door panels get faux stitching which emulates a leather stitching pattern for a more premium feel. The fabric seats are comfortable and the interior is likely to withstand the rigours of everyday use without a hitch.
The combination of analogue dials with a central digital display tells you everything you need to know, while the Bluetooth and voice-controlled infotainment system is easy to operate. There’s also a USB port inside the glovebox which is not the norm in modern cars but it works.
What Safety Features Are Included On The Mitsubishi Xpander?
The Mitsubishi Xpander comes standard with several safety features, including dual front airbags, ABS and EBD (electronic brake force distribution) as well as ISOFIX child seat anchors. It also has a front-end impact-absorbing structure further boosted by Mitsubishi’s Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body construction with side impact bars. The Avanza also gets ABS and EBD but it lacks the same reinforced body construction of the Xpander.
What Is The Performance Like On The Mitsubishi Xpander?
In South Africa, the Mitsubishi Xpander is available in two derivatives, both front-wheel drive with a 1.5-litre normally aspirated petrol engine delivering 77kW and 141Nm of torque. However, one is coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox (with 15-inch wheels) while the other is fitted with a four-speed automatic transmission.
The Avanza, on the other hand, has two different petrol engine options in a 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre. Both are equipped with VVT-i pushing out 67kW, 113Nm and 76kW and 136Nm respectively, a slight drop in performance compared to the Xpander.
In terms of driveability, the Xpander offers a somewhat more refined drive with the automatic offering a smoother driving experience. The engine is also quite responsive even when accelerating from low revs, making it relatively easy to get up to speed on highways but where it shines most is on urban roads.
When it comes to fuel economy, both vehicles offer relatively good numbers but the Mitsubishi edges the Avanza with 7.0 l/100km compared to 7.7 l/100km.
Final Verdict
Overall the Mitsubishi Xpander is a solid choice as a family car with a distinctive design, a practical and spacious interior and an efficient engine delivering respectable performance and decent fuel economy for an MPV. All new Xpander models come with a 3-year/100 000km warranty and a 2-year/30 000km Service plan.
If you’d like to find out more about the Mitsubishi Xpander or book a test drive, visit our showroom in Kuilsriver and Stellenbosch or simply give us a call.
The post Battle Of The MPVs: Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Avanza appeared first on Group1 Mitsubishi Blog.
Why The Mitsubishi Xpander 7-Seater Is A Worthy Contender
Posted by Group1 Mitsubishi on 20 Sep 2021
Mitsubishi Xpander 7-seater is already a favourite!
The brand-new offering from the Japanese automaker combines the versatility of an MPV with the sportiness of an SUV. The multi-purpose Mitsubishi Xpander is making waves in a hotly contested market and could become a South African favourite. It’s no surprise, really, as the Mitsubishi Xpander is not only more affordable than similar 7-seaters from other brands but it comes with features you might not expect at this price point.
Mitsubishi Xpander: Rising Through The Ranks
Since the 2016 launch of the Mitsubishi Xpander in Asia, the car has been a resounding success. It’s no different in South Africa as July 2021 showed that the Xpander was Mitsubishi’s second best-selling car with 65 new units which is just two units shy of the much more established Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
While the figures may not seem mind-blowing, it’s almost on par with a Mitsubishi stalwart and that in itself is a worthy statement. Still relatively new compared to other 7-seaters, the Mitsubishi Xpander is already showing its worth and here is a closer look at the styling aspects, technology and performance.
Striking Looks At A Highly Competitive Price
The first thing you’ll notice on the Mitsubishi Xpander is the futuristic-looking front design, taking inspiration from the Mitsubishi Triton and Pajero Sport. Unlike many other 7-seaters that don’t cost a fortune, the Xpander has the interior of a multi-purpose vehicle but it’s all SUV action on the outside.
The daytime running lights, grille, fog and headlights appear as one complete piece which is certainly something different but it’s not out of place against a white body colour. With sporty 15-inch alloy wheels on the manual model and 16-inch on the automatic derivative, wide flared fenders, the Mitsubishi Xpander looks tougher than similar cars in the segment.
The headlights are crystal clear combined with daytime running lights and L-illuminated LED taillights flowing seamlessly onto the tailgate to add further impetus to the overall look. It has a higher ground clearance of 205 mm which is just another feature that not only adds flavour but it also emphasises its sporty but practical capabilities.
Incredible Attention To Detail
The basic interior is what you’d expect with parts like the dashboard and door panels made from hard plastic. However, the quality of workmanship is second to none following the principle of ‘Omotenashi’ for the driver and passengers. Loosely translated, it means “attention to detail and anticipating the guests’ needs.”
A closer look will reveal features with a stitching pattern to emulate a leather trim stitching. Standard features include the following:
- Multi-function steering wheel
- Tilt and telescopic adjustable steering column
- All-around electric windows
- Bluetooth with hands-free voice control
- USB port
- Three 12V sockets
- Full-automatic air conditioning
- Rear air circulator
The multi-information display is not overly massive but it has everything you need and, more importantly, it’s easy to use.
The Mitsubishi Xpander is certainly not short on space as there is ample room across the board thanks to the 60/40 split. It gets even bigger when you fold down the third row of seats and unlike some other brands, it goes completely flat.
Mitsubishi Xpander Performance and Fuel Economy
The new Mitsubishi Xpander seems to have it all figured out with good performance, fuel consumption and reduced noise. According to Mitsubishi, it’s made possible thanks to their durable 1.5-litre DOHC 16-valve aluminium block engine.
It features Mitsubishi’s Intelligent Innovative Valve Timing Lift Electronic Control (MIVEC) system and ECI multipoint fuel injection. This particular powertrain delivers 77kW at 6000rpm, with 141Nm of peak torque at 4000rpm.
With a fuel tank of 45 litres, the average claimed fuel consumption in a combined cycle is 6.9l/100km on the manual Xpander and 7l/100km for the automatic model. The Xpander is available with a four-speed automatic and five-speed manual gearbox.
The Mitsubishi Xpander Is Safe As Houses
Considering its classified as a people carrier, the new Mitsubishi Xpander features a wide range of innovative safety features as standard. The Xpander is designed to protect the driver, all of the passengers and other road users with these safety features:
- Airbags for the driver and front passenger
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- Electronic brake force distribution (EBD)
- Side-impact protection bars
- Side-impact beam
- Pedestrian protection
- Child protection rear door locks
- Seatbelt pre-tensioners with force limiters
- ISOFIX child seat anchors
- RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body construction proving added safety for all-direction collisions
With a price of only R299 995* for the manual and R319 995* for the automatic, and all the standard features, the Mitsubishi Xpander is a solid contender among other formidable 7-seaters. It will go up against cheaper competition like the Toyota Avanza and Renault Triber but with so much more on offer.
If you want a proper family car without spending a fortune, look no further than the new Mitsubishi Xpander. With all the added extras, price tag, performance, safety features and oodles of space, you can’t go wrong. For more information, or to book a test drive, visit our Mitsubishi Xpander information page today!
*Pricing accurate as of September 2021.
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