Review Verdict: The 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander compact 7-seater in this Philippines review gets a well-deserved refresh that retains its best qualities of comfort and practicality, all while receiving fit & finish improvements over the previous generation. It’s not a perfect car objectively, but we’d say it’s ideal for any growing family in the Philippines. 

Pros

• Interior leather finishes are an upgrade over hard plastics
• Practical, comfortable family hauler
• Can actually fit 7
• Exterior is as sharp as ever

Cons

• Acceleration leaves much to be desired
• Head unit could be a bit larger and brighter

Ever since the Mitsubishi Xpander was launched in the country, its looks have always been one of, if not the most aggressive in its segment. Its futuristic lines stood out in a segment of conservative family-friendly viewership, so this was a hit-or-miss with the customer base. Is this all-new model actually… good?

Exterior

One cannot discuss probably the Xpander’s best feature without looking into the Dynamic Shield design philosophy. Mitsubishi wanted their cars to emit a feeling of “protection and high-performance,” leading to this ultramodern look.

The angular design elements definitely stand out quite a bit. The T-shaped LED headlamps accentuate the car’s front fascia, especially with the chrome bits that come with the GLS variant we have here. Combined with the triangular headlight design and well-placed mesh grille, it’s not an exaggeration to say that this car is a stunner.

Move to the side and you’ll see the same cues follow through. Chrome accents around the body are aplenty with this trim.

The Xpander boasts a ground clearance of 225mm, which was more than enough for city driving and the occasional trip off the beaten path. While we wouldn’t test its wading depth ourselves, we’re sure that this is ready for whatever the Philippine climate can throw at it.

The car also rides on all-new 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels. The design is admittedly very flashy but they fit in well with the car’s aesthetic and add to its already-vibrant personality.

At the rear, these tail lights also fit with the overall theme. They look much better lit up at night, giving off “newly-announced concept MPV at a motor show” vibes more than anything. In fact, that’s what we thought about the Xpander upon its initial release and this opinion of ours still stands to this day.

Interior

On the inside is where the 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander in this review receives a total makeover, appealing to many fans in the Philippines.

Most touch points within reach have been substituted by soft-touch materials such as the brown leather you see here. Although these appointments aren’t plush, they add quite a bit of flair and luxury to this cabin which may be difficult to find with other competitors in the market. It also livens the space up, saving it from the typical curse of a black and bland interior.

Starting off with the wheel, it’s very thick and has a nice girth to it. This makes it easier to hold for long periods and provides a reassuring driving experience. It’s not flat-bottomed like many of the wheels we see today, but tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustments make sure that you can place the wheel in an optimal position that won’t compromise your leg space.

Controls found on the wheel are simple but easy to find and use.

The speedometer is very conventional with a traditional rev counter and speed reading. The multicolor display limited to this top-trim GLS model is nothing revolutionary, but it does its job of showing the driver all the essential information such as a live fuel consumption reading as well as fuel and temperature gauges.

Mitsubishi chose to go with an electronic brake for this model with Auto Hold functionality.

Thankfully, the company also made a wise decision to go with physical buttons to complement this air conditioning panel display. All the buttons are extremely easy to press and find, even when you’re not looking directly at the area. It definitely minimizes distractions while driving. The system is also simple enough for just about anyone to use.

The center head unit, while being a bit of a dust magnet due to its piano black finish, is okay. The 7-inch touch screen they’ve used here is responsive with decent colors and brightness. There were no hitches when using wired Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Musical sound trips onboard the Xpander were enjoyable enough thanks to the passable audio system.

If given the choice though, a larger screen on the head unit as well as a more vivid display would be a big plus here.

Sitting down on these fabric seats helps you realize that comfort is very subjective. Some prefer the feel of leather more, but we were grateful not to get burnt buns after leaving this car out in the sun. Both our behinds and our arms weren’t sore after a long drive, thanks to the aforementioned soft-touch padded areas. Storage is aplenty as well, since there are trays stowed away underneath the front seats for additional space. The typical array of side cubbies is also present.

Second-row passengers don’t mean second-class citizens. There is more than ample legroom for an average-sized human being in the back, with spacious headroom to boot. This can be adjusted by reclining the row or moving it forward/backward depending on the third-row occupants. The middle passenger might have to raise his legs a little bit due to the transmission tunnel, but it’s noticeably much lower than in other vehicles.

These passengers also receive their own A/C ventilation system with four adjustable vents and a knob to control power. Believe us when we say that the A/C in this MPV is frigid. Running a bit low on battery? No problem. USB Type A and C ports make themselves available to nurse your, or your kids’ devices back to health.

The third row of an MPV is normally where you send subhuman species to endure for prolonged amounts of time, but this isn’t a form of torture in the Mitsubishi Xpander during our review time in the Philippines. With someone around 5’8 in the second row, the middle row seat was pushed a bit forward providing ample legroom for both the second and third-row occupants.

Basically, if you’re designated to the back row, your fate will greatly depend on the benevolence of the person in front of you. A long journey shouldn’t be out of the question if both agree to a comfortable position – and there isn’t much luggage. Rear passengers get cupholders on either side and a charging port.

Boot space is decent with the third-row seats in position, and excellent with them down.

According to Mitsubishi, this is even a compartment specifically for wet items! What a thoughtful addition for those beach trips.

Comfort and Driving Dynamics

The Mitsubishi Xpander in this review took bumps in the Philippines quite well. It comes installed with a front MacPherson Strut Coil Spring suspension and Torsion Beam at the rear. We never experienced the MPV bottom out, even with the harsher parts of the Metro. Even when road conditions deteriorated during a quick out-of-town excursion, the Mitsubishi Xpander remained composed all throughout.

Despite the comfort, it’s not floaty or indirect. While there is body roll, the MPV feels confident with dealing with mountain twisties and the like. We never felt like it was dangerous or uncertain. This feeling of confidence remained true for both for the driver and the passengers, making this truly a vehicle worth taking trips with.

We actually had some experience with the Xpander at the off-road experience a few months back, and we know that the MPV has some off-road capabilities. While it won’t be participating at the Dakar Rally anytime soon, it’s still a considerable factor.

Under the hood is a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine capable of producing 104.5 HP, mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Driving this around the city, the car remained peppy and energetic enough for daily use. We have no doubts about that. However, its lack of grunt did show on the highways, as attempting to overtake proved to be a little bit difficult. Drivers who are accustomed to a burst of power at any moment will need to plan ahead when performing riskier overtakes such as on two-lane passages.

Steering is admittedly light and everything else about the driving feel of this MPV is average. It’s obviously not the selling point here.

Onboard safety features include SRS airbags for the front passengers, ABS, Active Stability Control, Traction Control, and Hill Start Assist. The latter three are only available on the GLS model we have here.

Mitsubishi Xpander Review Philippines: Wrap Up and Conclusions

The Mitsubishi Xpander we had in this review for the Philippines performed up to par. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a great way for a growing family to still travel in style and comfort without breaking the bank. If you’re transitioning from an SUV to an MPV, then this is the “coolest” way to do it.

Mitsubishi Xpander Review Price Philippines

The 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander will be made available in 3 variants: GLX 1.5 G M/T, GLX 1.5G A/T, and GLS 1.5G A/T. The price starts at PHP 958,000 while the one we have here is the range-topping variant with all the bells and whistles – topping out at PHP 1,078,000.