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-mind choice among motorists, hence an early 2023 launch.

Also, for the model to stay as the seemingly sole pick for Filipinos looking for an entry-level hauler, the Japanese manufacturer tossed into the 2023 Xpander Cross five features that this poster and Autofun PH deem as dealmakers to take home a unit.        

Ground clearance

The 225 mm ground clearance from the tarmac is arguably the highest in a class that includes the Toyota Avanza (190 mm), the Suzuki Ertiga (180 mm), Maxus G50 (150-160 mm), and JAC M3 (170 mm), or even similarly priced but slightly larger vehicles such as the Honda BR-V (207 mm, 1.5 S CVT 2023 variant, PHP 1.15 million), Toyota Innova (178 mm, 2.8 E AT, PHP 1.37 million) and Toyota Veloz (190 mm, PHP 1.210 million/PHP 1.25 million). 

As mentioned in a previous story, one advantage of high-ground clearance is that one can use the Xpander Cross as a daily driver in the provinces. The typical rural broken tarmac, paths paved with multiple rocks, sand, and even dry earth, should be fine for the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross (Specs | News).

Another advantage of that high Xpander Cross ground clearance is less risk of the rear end bottoming out. The MPV can swallow five passengers aft of the front row and offers some 495 liters of cargo space with the third row upright. Hence, one can load the Mitsubishi’s rear section with humans and hauled items, and the rear section won’t kiss the asphalt. 

The wading depth is a third advantage of that ground clearance, especially if caught in an urban flash flood. This means you can get thru certain areas in Metro Manila during sudden squalls in, say, the Cubao part of Aurora Boulevard (going to Epifanio de los Santos Avenue/EDSA) from 15th Avenue to Yale Street, the Ortigas and Santolan flyovers on EDSA, or the C-5 area of McKinley Hill.

This also means you can wade through several torrent-prone provincial locations, such as the Candaba area of Pampanga or parts of Plaridel in Bulacan.

Disclaimer – just because the Xpander Cross has a raised platform higher than passenger cars doesn’t mean you can be cavalier when wading through waterlogged locales. Stop and wait for the water to subside if you think your Xpander Cross won’t make it through an inundated spot. That sure beats waiting a long time to get your Mitsubishi MPV back from a repair bay because the engine got water-swamped.

Cabin amenities 

Given that Mitsubishi Xpander Cross is the top-end variant of the Xpander line, one should expect cabin amenities befitting its flagship variant status.

If one were to look at the MPV (whether you’re at the dealer or shopping online), the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross seems to have a bevy of creature comforts for occupants of any sort. For example, there are ten cupholders throughout the inside cabana, along with multiple places to stow away small items like coins, smartphones, and even stuffed toys.

There’s even an undertray for the shotgun seat, in case you need to store important documents or a tablet, and the one riding shotgun isn’t comfortable with glovebox storage.

Third, there’s a hidden integrated organizer within the baggage hold to store extra small items while a larger load sits atop the cargo area behind the third row.

Keeping Xpander Cross occupants entertained is essential for any trip. In that regard, Mitsubishi shoehorned Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity in the infotainment system.

You can tap your pre-loaded audio tracks from your smartphone to play via the infotainment or draw on your phone’s audio streaming service provider to broadcast added listening pleasure to the head unit and the MPV’s six speakers. In addition, one can use their smartphone’s links to the apps above to get directions to and from a place of interest. 

Powertrain 

A glance at the MPV’s available information shows that the inline-four engine has 104 PS and 141 NM on tap under the throttle pedal, all transmitted to the front wheels via a four-speed A/T or slushbox. 

More than the horsepower number is the abovementioned torque stat that is more crucial to a utility vehicle. This is because torque allows an auto to carry itself, its occupants, and their luggage, either with effort or effortlessly, from a standstill start until there is good pace enough to maintain momentum. 

Further, the 141 NM of torque of the Xpander Cross’ 1.5-liter powerplant allows for fast acceleration from rest, especially if all three rows of the MPV are filled with people and luggage or if the Mitsubishi’s third row is folded down and there’s a lot of produce tossed into the cargo hold. Try getting that torque from a Toyota Avanza (121 NM) or a Suzuki Ertiga (138 NM), and you’re likely just straining the engine at high revs.

One can posit that the four-speed slushbox may be a gear or two short to keep the MPV’s powerplant in the powerband. However, reviews showed that the engine and A/T managed to move all 1,275 kg of curb weight without much fuel consumption and forward motion delay issues.

Road damping

The pre-2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross variants already had impressive methods to minimize noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).

Macpherson struts, coil springs (front), and torsion beam (rear) are standard, along with an additional stabilizer bar in front. This means that up-down and left-right body travel is reduced, thus cutting down on NVH amounts and thus preventing a bouncy or harsh ride for first- and second-row occupants.

For 2023, the Mitsubishi added insulation around the MPV's engine bay and lined the front windshield with soundproofing sheets. This means extra NVH reduction, which is sought-after in a utility vehicle. Thus, in the Mitsubishi’s cabin, you can initiate and carry a conversation, listen clearly to your favorite music from the head unit, and your passengers quickly get some shuteye if they need it.

Active Yaw Control

The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross gets a feature derived from the brand's discontinued Lancer Evolution (Lancer Evo or Evo) line of performance sedans called Active Yaw Control (AYC).

This technology is a form of torque distribution introduced by Mitsubishi in 1996 for that particular sport compact car. The Triple Diamond hallmark was initially meant to efficiently distribute torque to all four wheels during cornering since the Lancer Evo was an all-wheel-drive car. Since the Xpander Cross is front-wheel-drive (FWD), the torque distribution is to either front wheel.

Let’s explain AYC in the Xpander Cross further. When the unit is cornering, the outside wheel in an FWD becomes loaded with torque, and the wheel inside the turn has less torque load. As such, the inner wheel spins freely or slips, unencumbered by torque loads.

AYC intervenes by applying brake force on the faster-spinning wheel to bring back grip and control to the driver. In effect letting the car tuck into the corner as intended by the driver. In short, the driver gets added confidence going into corners or emergency lane changes.

Whether it’s what’s inside, what’s in front of the cabin, what makes Mitsubishi’s entry-level MPV seem like you’re towering over traffic, what allows occupants to enjoy verbal discussions/audio pleasure/relaxation in this specific auto, or what makes this particular utility model potentially fast on turns, the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross has what it takes to convince a future customer that one doesn’t need to get a sizeable diesel-fed sport-ute to carry seven average Filipinos and their respective luggage without issues. 

Is the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross already on your shopping list?