The affordable 7-seater segment in the Philippines is still going strong, with multiple entries available to answer the call of families looking for a vehicle that can meet their needs while on a budget. The likes of the Mitsubishi Xpander, Toyota Veloz, and Honda BR-V all fit in this segment, all vying for a spot in the very lucrative market. That said, we will look at the Mitsubishi Xpander and figure out why it's still a family and fan favorite and why many still buy the affordable 7-seater.

Looking at the Mitsubishi Xpander (Specs | News) nameplate’s sales performance last year, one can conclude that the entry-level multipurpose vehicle (MPV) is a sought-after brand. The MPV sold some 16,309 units last year – including its top-end Xpander Cross variants - and was number five in the country's top ten selling vehicle models. That said, Mitsubishi felt that the top end of the Xpander line (namely, the ₱1.328 million to ₱1.353 million Xpander Cross) had to be updated to remain a top-of

Since its introduction in 2018, the Mitsubishi Xpander has been synonymous with entry-level utility vehicles. With the Xpander Cross providing an SUV-like version of the same platform, Mitsubishi hit two birds with one stone. Its sub-one million prices at initial launch, seven-seater configuration, Apple CarPlay-Android Auto-ready in-car infotainment, a slew of safety features typically found in higher priced four-wheelers, and a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter straight-four (with a manual transmi

When the Mitsubishi Xpander multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) launched in the Philippines in 2018, it was arguably one of the very few cars in the segment that could topple the stranglehold of the Toyota Avanza. Fitted with a 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine and mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission, it was as conventional as it gets with these compact MPVs, straying just enough from the norm to get people interested. Now, though, the market has shi

Ever since the Honda Mobilio and BR-V twins, the MPV market has had MPVs traipsing around as SUVs for buyers of all different kinds, and the Mitsubishi Xpander and Xpander Cross are no different. Both seat seven and use 1.5-liter engines mated to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Both obviously sit on the same platform and use the same panels, underpinnings, and trims. The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander and the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross both enjoy new facelifts, but the question rema

As the average Filipino family grows, the need for a car that can fit them all grows as well. In the past, the minimum requirement was five - dad, mom, two kids, and maybe a grandparent or the househelp. Today, the average Filipino buyer needs to consider at least six seats when buying a vehicle - dad, mom, at least two kids, the nanny, and possibly both grandparents. Not only that but because of the modern family's versatility in income - possibly from both a steady job and a family business -