A Mitsubishi Xpander multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is a fuel saver? ‘Tis true!

Normally, entry-level utility vehicles and fuel-saving are mutually exclusive terms.

That is because their gas-fed engines, lacking forced induction and dealing with such a heavy body, make these four-wheelers petrol guzzlers. 

However, the Mitsubishi Xpander (and its chunkier Xpander Cross sibling) seems to have gotten the right balance of seven-seat practicality and fuel-sipping.

This was proven in a 2018 fuel economy run conducted by the Department of Energy and the Automobile Association of the Philippines.

The manual Xpander averaged 21.01 km/l on a full tank, while the automatic variant got 22.94 km/l.

Both cars were driven simultaneously on a 236.58-km route along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.

Helping Mitsubishi's utility runner roll more kilometers on a liter of petrol are these elements.

Non-turbo 1.5-liter engine

The 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve 4A91 inline-4 that resides in front of the Xpander’s cabin isn’t new, frankly.

The mill found itself in the “shark nose” Mitsubishi Colt and Lancer models in the late 2000s, but was upgraded by the Diamond Star once the Mitsubishi XM Concept was given the go-signal by the Japanese manufacturer to see production. 

The powerplant saw changes to the intake and exhaust manifolds and the cylinder head to "Xpand" (pardon the pun) the air-fuel mixture coming in and out of the block.

Speaking of the block, Mitsubishi turned to aluminum as its metal of choice for weight reduction.

To further lessen weight, the cylinder head cover and the intake manifold were made of plastic and a bevy of engine ancillaries (such as the starter motor, water and fuel pumps, alternator and ignition coil) were integrated into the block. 

Although the 1.5-liter has the potential for forced induction, Mitsubishi chose not to add a turbocharger nor a supercharger to the Xpander.

The use of MIVEC 

The MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) system on the Xpander controls when and how long the 4A91’s intake and exhaust valves are opened or closed.

This, when combined with fuel injection and the Xpander’s computer box, ensures that the exact amount of air and fuel enters and exits the 4A91.

In other words, MIVEC ensures no wasted gasoline.

Cruise control

This feature keeps the revs and the velocity steady for prolonged travel on expressways and long highways, thus reducing fuel consumption. 

Found on the three o’clock side of the steering wheel, cruise control also reduces driver fatigue by maintaining a constant set speed.

All you have to do to turn it off is step on the brake.

Advanced Dynamic Shield design

One telltale part of the Xpander’s outside looks is the steep angles of the Xpander’s upper front end.

A cursory look at the MPV’s front lets you know that incoming wind shouldn’t create drag for the entire vehicle, which in turn shouldn’t increase fuel consumption. 

Mind you, the Xpander’s design was taken straight from the abovementioned XM concept car launched in Indonesia in 2016.

The fact that Mitsubishi chose to turn that entire abstract into a successful production model is something of note, an item that other automakers can and should do with their concept cars. 

A combination of upgrades to a long-standing Mitsubishi naturally aspirated inline-4 and innovative fuel-saving technology contribute heavily to the Xpander/Xpander Cross’ potential for fuel parsimony.

AutoFun Philippines Senior Writer VJ Bacungan contributed to this story.