FULL REVIEW: 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander GLS AT - One of Mitsubishi’s greatest hits or just a decent remix?

Disclaimer: Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation lent the Xpander unit to us with a full tank of gas. This is not a paid review. All our observations are our own with no inputs from the manufacturer.

One of Mitsubishi’s greatest hits? - Yes. Is the car music to my ears? - not quite.

Musicians have their highs and lows in the music industry. The same can be said with automakers such as Mitsubishi Philippines. 

The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander (Specs | News) is the brand's latest version of the seven-seater MPV that ticks all the right boxes for those looking for a versatile and fuel-efficient vehicle. Thanks to its unique styling and overall practicality, it was a hit when it came out.

The question now is, is the Xpander still worth it in 2023 with the competition leveling up?

Exterior

We begin with the exterior of the MPV. You get the brand’s latest iteration of its dynamic shield design language. You get a massive grille at the front, flanked on either side by T-shaped LED headlights. At the bottom of the front fascia, the Xpander also gets a new bumper and has new rounded fog lights to complete the updates done to the vehicle.

We noticed the unit's headlights were too high, resulting in other drivers flashing us with high beams. However, this can easily be remedied with a visit to the dealership to lower the throw of the LEDs.

The LEDs are too bright but can easily be drowned out by street lights, but they work very well on darker roads and streets to light up your path.

On the side, the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander retains its familiar body lines with a little swoop at the end that terminates at its D-pilar. 

The back of the MPV still has a familiar layout; however, the LED taillights, like the headlights, now come with a new T-shaped design. It is important to note that the tailgate of the Xpander has been revised to give it a more squared appearance. 

Overall the updates to the MPV give it a fresh and more futuristic look compared to the older version. If the old Xpander was in its edgy teen years, this version is more grown and more sophisticated in its design.

Interior

The inside of the Mitsubishi Xpander is what you would expect from an MPV. It's spacious, with generous headroom for the typical Filipino. But the highlight of the cabin is the new dashboard design.

The previous version of Xpander’s dashboard had a curvier layout, while this new version goes for a more angular and horizontal look. 

Tech

Technology is simple inside the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander; you get a 7-inch infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and electronic climate control. 

We had no problems regarding the infotainment system as it was quick and easy to connect.

However, the climate controls took a while to get used to, as rotary knobs would have been the more ergonomic choice. The switch controls were a hassle if you wanted the fan to speed up quickly. 

That said, while we would have preferred an automatic climate control system with the vehicle, we understand that Mitsubishi is trying to keep the Xpander within a certain price point. 

Safety

Regarding safety features, the Mitsubishi Xpander GLS meets industry standards. It is available with two SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, a Hill start assist, an emergency stop signal, a brake assist, a rear camera, active stability control, and traction control 

Standard features, yes. But we wish Mitsubishi would put more airbags into the vehicle and other active and passive safety features to keep up with 2023.

Power and fuel economy

Under the hood, the Mitsubishi Xpander is powered by a 1.5-liter 16-valve four-cylinder naturally aspirated gasoline engine that produces 103 PS and 138 Nm of torque. While it may not seem like a lot on paper, Mitsubishi has tweaked the gearing so that the car feels quick and responsive.

Regarding fuel economy, the Xpander can do 7 to 10 km/l in the city and 16 to 18 km/l on the highway. 

Comfort

Ride comfort inside the Mitsubishi Xpander is solid, the suspension keeps the bumps at bay, and the body is stiff enough to sustain a bit of flexing.

The shocks are tuned for comfort, so expect it to wallow now and then on uneven roads.

With its 225 mm ground clearance, it's a comfortable experience on smooth roads with a little tire, engine, and wind noise entering the cabin. Only at speeds of 80km/h or above do you hear wind noise which is standard for most vehicles on the market. 

We wish Mitsubishi tuned the rear suspension better too so the Xpander can handle it better even while fully loaded. Despite this, it's still an excellent seven-seater that you should consider. 

Driving

Driving the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander around in the city was a peppy experience. The engine and transmission tuning meant the MPV was eager to get moving even while fully loaded at slower speeds. We suspect this was because Mitsubishi gave the Xpander high gear ratios for its 4-speed automatic transmission.

The theory of it getting a high final drive became apparent on the highway. While we were cruising at 90 km/h, the engine was already at the 3,000 rpm mark.

Cruising at a moderate speed should be better for the Xpander as it downs fuel above the 3,000 rpm market. You should be fine if you keep your speed to about 80km/h.

While the Mitsubishi Xpander has enough power to keep you cruising, 103 PS is insufficient for the vehicle. It deserves a more powerful engine. The lack of power also becomes apparent when overtaking with a full load with the MPV struggling to gain speed quickly. 

The Mitsubishi Xpander is best for the city; while you can take it out of town for long road trips, you will prefer more power. Still, it's a great choice if you just want to stick to inner-city driving. 

Verdict

The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander GLS is a fulfilling family vehicle for those on a budget. It ticks all the right boxes for features and balances these out with ample power.

However, it does face some stiff competition against the likes of the Toyota Veloz and Honda BR-V, both of which come with more features but are more expensive. 

Further still, it faces competition from the Suzuki Ertiga (Specs | News) which is slightly cheaper than the Mitsubishi MPV but also comes with more goodies and, more importantly, mild hybrid tech for better fuel economy.

Priced between ₱1.1 to ₱1.2 million, the Mitsubishi Xpander lives in a niche of vehicles that works well for various everyday scenarios and still gets people from points A to B without issues. 

The Mitsubsihi Xpander is for those budding families that want a well-rounded  MPV. It's also a practical commuter car. It can comfortably fit seven, and it can go on long road trips, but it can also be a miser on gasoline, as long as you check your speeds.

It is also ideal for young professionals who want a vehicle with futuristic styling and real-world versatility at the same time.

The 2023 Mitsubsihi Xpander can fit into multiple niches and that's what it's good at. This flexibility lets it reach a wider audience which bodes well for the Japanese automaker. We just wish Mitsubishi would add a couple more airbags to the Xpander to bump up its safety features.