Mitsubishi Xpander: What you need to know
With the ever-increasing fuel price, the need for more cost-effective ways of getting from point A to point B has become greater than ever. There are a few ways of doing this. One of the easiest ways is to just walk, unfortunately, we live in a world where time is of the essence so that's out the window. You could take public transport but there are still a few issues with that. Perhaps an electric car will work. No fuel cost, however, they themselves do cost an arm and a leg. Perhaps Mitsubishi has an answer with the new Xpander.
The Xpander is the brand's latest 7-seater offering and while it might look like an MPV, Mitsubishi reckons that this newcomer is rugged and practical enough to satisfy your active lifestyle in the same way a crossover SUV will.
This be the answer? A seven-way split on the fuel bill? Perhaps, but what is the Xpander like to live with? Here are the answers that you need.
From a styling perspective, the Xpander does catch your attention and is easily recognisable as a Mitsubishi product thanks to a dominant front grille and sleek headlights. I admire the fact that the car doesn’t look cute and cuddly like others in the segment and instead looks more angular and muscular. Seen here is the automatic version which features 16-inch alloy rims. Overall the Xpander offers around 205mm of ground clearance which enhances its versatility.
Powering the Xpander is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated motor that’s good for around 77kW and 141Nm. Now that automatic gearbox only offers four forward speeds which, last time we checked, was very old school. That said the motor does like to be revved out and we didn’t have any issues with power delivery, we also meandered around town and on the highway alone though. Fill this thing up and we think you will really need to plan your overtaking manoeuvres well in advance.
Talking about filling it up, the interior is spacious and rear occupants have their own climate control system. Upfront you get a neat facia with an infotainment screen that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there’s a USB port, Bluetooth, rearview camera and some very clever storage solutions. The 2nd and 3rd row of seats can fold in 60/40 fashion, with the 3rd row going completely flat.
As for practicality, the Xpander offers 781-litres of luggage capacity which can be xpanded (see what we did there) to 1 608-litres if you fold the rear bench flat.
The ride quality is pretty decent and the Xpander is easy to park. It won’t thrill you but it fulfils its duties of being a people mover well. We also think that at R319 995 it is good value for money.
Also worth a look: the Mitsubishi Triton and the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Mitsubishi's Value Punch in the .
FAQ
Q: What does the Mitsubishi Xpander cost in South Africa?
The Mitsubishi Xpander starts at around R389,995 for the manual transmission version, while the automatic variant will set you back approximately R429,995, making it a competitive option in the seven-seater MPV market.
Q: Is the Mitsubishi Xpander worth buying?
The Xpander is worth considering if you need a practical seven-seater that won't break the bank on fuel costs, but the underpowered 77kW engine and ancient four-speed automatic gearbox mean you'll need patience rather than performance.
Q: How fuel efficient is the Mitsubishi Xpander?
The Xpander delivers a claimed fuel consumption of around 6.4 litres per 100km, which translates to decent running costs when you're splitting petrol money seven ways on family trips.
Q: What are the main competitors to the Mitsubishi Xpander?
The Xpander goes head-to-head with the Toyota Avanza, Suzuki Ertiga, and Datsun Go+, offering more ground clearance at 205mm and a more rugged appearance than most of its rivals.
Q: Does the Mitsubishi Xpander have enough power for highway driving?
With just 77kW and 141Nm from its 1.5-litre engine, the Xpander manages highway cruising adequately when lightly loaded, but you'll need to plan overtaking moves carefully when carrying a full complement of passengers.
Should You Buy It?
The Mitsubishi Xpander at R429,995 for the automatic is a sensible choice if you prioritise practicality and fuel economy over outright performance. It's the best seven-seater MPV under R450,000 in South Africa for families who need space without the SUV price tag. However, if you regularly tackle mountain passes or need confident overtaking ability, you might want to stretch your budget to something with more grunt under the bonnet. For city driving and the occasional family road trip, the Xpander delivers exactly what it promises: affordable, reliable transport for seven people without the drama.
