The Mitsubishi Xpander has received over 4,000 bookings to date, and of that, over 500 units of the seven-seater people carrier have been delivered to Malaysian customers as of end November. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) is now increasing production from the planned 500 units to 700 units in December to minimise the waiting period, according to senior VP Hoffen Teh
Order taking started from October 22, when the Xpander was previewed to the media. The first units of the CKD locally assembled model rolled off the line at Hicom Automotive Manufacturers in Pekan on October 28, with the price confirmed as RM91,369 (OTR without insurance, with 2020 sales tax exemption) on November 5. At that point, it was “over 2,000” bookings.
Behind that bold Dynamic Shield face is a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated engine with 105 PS and 141 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The 4A91 MIVEC unit sends drive to the front axle via a four-speed automatic gearbox.
A single variant is being offered, with the best possible specs available for this model, and some local additions not found in other ASEAN markets. Speaking of ASEAN, the Xpander has been a successful product for MMC, achieving sales of around 270,000 units since its debut in Indonesia in August 2017, which we covered live.
The facelifted Xpander comes with bi-LED reflector headlamps and LED daytime running lights. The LED eyes mark this out as the facelift (the original car had halogen lamps), along with U-shaped louvres that replace the triple slats on the grille. Also fitted are LED tail lights and 16-inch two-tone alloys.
Inside, a black interior with quilted leather seats, a 9.0-inch touchscreen head unit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a 360-degree camera system and dashcam are unique-to-Malaysia features. Elsewhere, the Xpander also comes with keyless entry with push start, a 4.2-inch colour multi-info display, six speakers and four roof-mounted rear air vents.
Safety-wise, there’s two airbags, ABS/EBD, stability control, hill start assist and Isofix child seat anchors. The one thing that MMM couldn’t do was to add to the airbag count, as this affordable people carrier was engineered mainly for the Indonesian market, and there was no strong demand for more than two airbags. This was told to us by MMM’s management – check out our interview with Teh and CEO Tomoyuki Shinnishi here.
It’s a sprint to the finish for the sub-RM100k new arrivals jostling for a space in your porch, and besides MMM, Proton and Honda have been eager to share end-Nov delivery figures. With one month to go, Proton has delivered 2,203 units of the X50, a fair bit off the 5,100 units of the new City that Honda has fulfilled.
GALLERY: Mitsubishi Xpander in Red Metallic
GALLERY: Mitsubishi Xpander colour options
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4,000 bookings? really?? I guess for same money RM95k… much better to buy 2015 Vellfire
Cannot compare with baby MPV vs big Velfire
Rebadged this Mitsu mpv, P1 can easily clocked over 400K bookings and rege mampu milik rm61k. Proton spender or Ermmpat, anyone?
As above
As above cause it was not necessary to have turbo. Important is safety, looks and quality. And that’s very important.
@You’re wrong. Agreed but Mitsu Xpander has none of those.
@ joe
Copy and Paste II: “Why this is best selling car? Good value, 360 degree camera, basic safety features, well designed, 105PS DOHC, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 784 boot space”
@Copy and Paste II. All those are neither helps on safety, nor looks, no quality.
Big body small engine 7 seater = underpowered
@ Nile
Really Underpowered? Just delivered a week ago, when driving xpander, there is better pickup while handling is also quite good.
Try 7 pipu inside go climb genting. You will hear no sound when flooring pedal and can tauge with passat easily. Almost like a RVR
Congrats Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia
Sampah. Rush is a much better car thn this POS.
Salah, it should be
“Rush and this POS (Xpander) are much better car”
Then it is correct
Bring it on
4000 or 400? Who really wants this ugly entry level mpv , given X50 almost command the same price segment. A little cargo space means nothing to buyer who could afford over 80k loan.
No wonder u like monkey like
That’s why this is affordable and good specs. Well done Mitsubishi Malaysia
So laku this Mitsu. The Mitsu saleman at showrooms must be so happy becoz all waiting for their big year-end bonus, right?
If so laku, why are bored Mitsu salesmen got so much free time to come here and downvote others? Strange…
Copy and Paste II: “xpander booking are still stronger, so sales will be better”
Now wow then meh
Why this is best selling car? Good value, 360 degree camera, basic safety features, well designed, 105PS DOHC, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 784 boot space
Good, with refinement and power are also good
Let’s rock
Family MPV car but so sporty.
For the same price, rakyat prefer better quality and safety with modern technology and design Proton X50. 2,200 and growing into customer hands.
Those who buy this car should very well take note on what Mitsubishi Japan thinks of us;
“We’re aware of market demand and requirements, the preference of Malaysians,” Hoffen said, while conceding that they couldn’t do much about the Xpander’s airbag count, which is two.
“We have to admit that this vehicle was originally designed mainly for the Indonesian market, and then it expanded to Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. As far as vehicle engineering is concerned, as of now, they (the other ASEAN countries) represent the major markets and there’s no real market demand for more than two airbags,” he said.
Spend your money elsewhere like on X50 for instance. Think of your safety. Think Safety First. When the buying stops, the killing will too.
At least appreciate their honesty, it could’ve been worse. They could’ve said ‘Market research shows there’s no demand for 2 airbags’
But that’ll be too dumb their sales would tank. Maybe that tactic would work 15 years ago?
@suomynona. Honesty is not even close if they still push this underspec car onto our market. That is kinda like saying it is okay to cheat us as long they are honestly cheating us.
My favourite line today. LOL! Tau takpe…
“That is kinda like saying it is okay to cheat us as long they are honestly cheating us.”
@Safety First. Fully agreed.
meanwhile x50 one week already 20k booking..lel
Lol! But this xpander booking are still stronger, so sales will be better
I would buy Toyota Rush rather than this junk.
Copy and Paste II: “ Salah, it should be
“Rush and this POS (Xpander) are much better car”
Then it is correct”
More xpander will be OTR soon. More people will be more fun when driving this
One has to be insane to buy this car at this price.
what’s with malaysian uncle auntie’s taste?
this car is fugly
Impressive
I saw one at road. Look like not stable and wobbly car. So much of sampan movement
Worth buying…I already booked one..most importantly is the safety..stability and able to accommodate 7 persons …don’t blindly comment…try first…Indonesia and Philippine already on the road few years’ back.
2 air bags only, nothing is left for your family sitting behind. Get a better safer car than the garbage offered by capitalist japanese who think your lives are cheaper than theirs
Feel better and comfort
OMG, that’s cooolllllll
wow, 4k.. thats quite a number
Mitsubishi all the way
I was impressed by its exterior look. Therefore, gave it a chance. Very disappointed by its cheap interior quality built. After test drive, handling like Avanza. A bit underpower for 3 person on board. Dare not imagine if fully loaded with 7 person.
I know it is low budget SUV but at this price tag and thinking that Mitsubishi would like to come back in competition, it will come with better package, at least better interior built quality.
Just do not wish to get the same feeling when bought the avanza 15 years ago. At the end, go for Subaru XV GT. I know it is different segment. I do not mean to look down at it but actually the other way round. My budget is C segment SUV but decided to give it a chance.
So where you your kids, on roof?