It might not be immediately obvious if you’re in the Klang Valley, but the Mitsubishi Xpander has been a successful model for Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM). Introduced here in late 2020, the seven-seater MPV has chalked up sales and CKD local production of 40,000 units over four years. That’s almost 10,000 units per annum, good enough to make it the best-selling non-national MPV in that period.
UPDATE: The Xpander facelift is now officially launched – report here
It’s time for a refresh, and the 2024 Mitsubishi Xpander facelift is now open for booking with an estimated price of RM115,000, which is described as a limited-time introductory price. The launch will happen later this month. This car has been on Indonesian roads for some time now, but this is a case of better late than never, as the Xpander has quietly proved that there is some demand for a non-national affordable MPV.
This is in contrast to Honda Malaysia, which decided that the BR-V didn’t deserve a sequel, opting to channel focus on a smaller, more lifestyle model instead (WR-V). For those who cannot accept the Alza’s local badge, the Xpander’s only rival in town is the RM95,000 Toyota Veloz, which is of course a better-equipped twin of the Alza.
This is quite a big facelift and it’s apparent from the bolder Dynamic Shield front end with sideways T-shaped lower headlights (projector LEDs) and thicker chrome bars. At the back, there’s a big tailgate spoiler, new taillights with graphics that mirror the headlamps, plus a more angular rear bumper with vertical reflectors. New 17-inch blade-style two-tone alloys (one-inch larger) complete the exterior changes. By the way, this is the regular body and not the cladded Xpander Cross.
Inside, there’s a new and more straight-cut dashboard featuring brown leather trim pieces (also on the door cards), a free-standing infotainment touchscreen and a new (more simple) steering wheel with a round horn pad. Also new are the digital display for the air con (hard buttons, toggles for fan speed and temp), wireless charger, and an electronic parking brake with auto hold.
The latter replaces a handbrake, which frees up space for a centre front armrest. There are also front and rear dashcams.
Like those in front, middle row occupants now get to share a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders. Behind the new front armrest are charging ports for the centre row – one USB-A, one USB-C. As usual, there’s a rear blower on the roof with adjustable speed.
Under the hood is the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with 105 PS and 141 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Power from the 4A91 DOHC MIVEC unit is sent to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic gearbox.
That 4AT is also unchanged, which means that Malaysia doesn’t get the CVT gearbox that the facelifted Xpander has moved on to in other ASEAN markets. Is this a good or bad thing? Perhaps MMM knows its customer base well? A hybrid version exists elsewhere, but if the standard car has an intro price of RM115k, the HEV might be too expensive for our market.
No difference in the chassis department as well, which doesn’t deviate from class norms. Front MacPherson struts, rear torsion beam, front ventilated disc brakes, rear drum brakes, EPS and 205/55 R17 rubber with the already-mentioned larger wheels.
It might not be apparent, but ground clearance is now listed at 225 mm, which is 20 mm more than before. This means that the Xpander can lay claim to the highest GC in its class, besting the Perodua Aruz by 5 mm. The Veloz and Alza have ground clearances of 190 mm and 160 mm respectively, which means that the class GC range is a substantial 65 mm – some like it high, some like it low, where do you stand?
We move on to equipment. The Xpander facelift comes with automatic LED projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, front fog lamps, welcome/coming home lighting, LED turn signals on the power fold/adjust wing mirrors, LED tail lamps, auto wipers and a shark fin antenna. The wheels are 17-inch dual-tone items, as mentioned.
Other standard equipment include keyless entry and push start, 4.2-inch colour multi-info display (between two analogue dials), four USB ports (two front, two rear), three 12V sockets (front, centre console, third row), auto climate control with rear air circulator, and tilt/telescopic steering with audio/cruise control buttons. The head unit is a 9.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, reverse camera and a 360-degree camera.
Safety wise, the Xpander persists with two airbags and no ADAS, which is below par in this day and age. As for colours, aside from the red hero colour, one can choose from Quartz White Pearl, Diamond Black Mica or the new Graphite Gray, which you can check out in the gallery below.
A note on the practicality aspects of this MPV – the seven seats are in typical 2-3-2 formation and the middle row seats have a one-touch tumble fold function. The third row folds flat 50:50, and when they are down, cargo volume is a generous 495 litres. With the middle seats folded, it grows to 837 litres.
If you’re at full capacity, boot space with all seats erect is relatively decent and there’s underfloor storage too. Notable in-cabin storage areas include various pockets behind the front seats and a tray under the front passenger seat.
Locally assembled in Pekan, the Mitsubishi Xpander facelift is now open for booking with an estimated introductory price of RM115,000. The mention of ‘limited time only’ hints at a higher RRP later. The first 500 customers who book and register the Xpander via the its online showroom will receive a Naturehike Camping Wagon worth RM400. Before you ask, RM115k a jump from the pre-facelift’s asking price of RM100,980 on-the-road without insurance.
Join us on a walk-around tour below and browse the gallery to see every feature in detail. What do you think of the Xpander new face and package?
GALLERY: Mitsubishi Xpander facelift in Malaysia
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Anwar menang kereta murah
That is one overpriced horse shit. Why would i buy this over the Alza again??
I’ll rather buy Veloz than this ancient 4AT shit
Mitsubishi only gives CVT to the Xpander to satisfy regulations. In Indonesia and Thailand there is a carbon tax which puts more guzzling vehicles in a higher bracket, so they gave CVT in these countries
how unfortunate MMC still tries to milk Malaysian dry with their below par safety standard products. With the influx of many new products within 4Q of this year, i guess it will be time for MMC consider leaving Malaysian market as both their offerings a nowhere attractive with the current market condition.
Correctly marketed.
I don’t like the rear end design.
Hello Mitsubishi, how come the MPV for 7 people but just only 2 airbags you provided? Really wrong in Mathematics calculation. The other back passenger life not important?? Pls la…
Don’t like don’t buy lo
Of course we won’t because we can get better safety specs for less lmao. And f*ck your “don’t like don’t buy” argument, stupid mitsubishit employee.
Dont worry. Many will agree and not buy this
Exterior: Nice. Interior: A bit dated, still ok. Specs: Acceptable. Safety: Non-existence. Price: Should be with 6 airbags & ADAS
Yupp, even Axia & Myvi have 6 airbags & ADAS on high spec
Add AlzaVeloz into the list as well
If u don’t care about your family & passanger safety and only after great looks, this is the ride for you.
90’s tech on 2024 model, it’s a no-brainers top choice! (literally no brain to protect in case of road mishaps)…
it doesnt even look good, Veloz looks much better
Price increase 15K but still no ADAS, 4AT and 2 airbags only? Are they joking?
well thanks to this price, it makes Toyota Veloz far more valuable than this piece of junk.
115k for such specs? seriously Mitsubishi? might as well get a used Estima or Alphard, or even Exora!
Hi MMC, can you guys pls reconsider back about the safety as the price hike but no adas and only 2 air bag, have you guys ever make market study why many people choose perodua and toyota instead on other brand, mostly about features and safety. This two component is important if any car brands want to gain big market share in malaysia as user want what they pay is valueble.
Government must ban new car launch with dinosaur age safety specification. Make it law, end of bullshit. Period.
In another news, I saw the new Triton on NKVE this morning! Launch imminent?
Probably is better to spend money on 2x Axia AV instead and still have saving on than this crap
Hai MMC…how long should i wait before u decide to launch the Xforce model for Malaysian market..?
Rm115k rear is a difficult to service drum brake, buy alza av better.
They fool other country but not us,4AT stronger and reliability than stupid CVT,my 06′ Nissan xtrail gearbox still fine until today but my friend new xtrail CVT already stuck in workshop,that why Mazda and Germany car don’t use failing cheap CVT gearbox.then how many new honda civic already stuck at workshop due to CVT problem,but old honda civic still fine to drive.
My 2006 honda city with cvt stil drives ok, the problem is a lot of Malaysians prefer not to service in SC and most of the time kena scam with fake cvt oil so dont blame the tech. Nowadays too many fake oil, they can even copy the hologram. nak jimat beli minyak murah in the end kena spend a lot more fixing gearbox!
Not just Honda but Toyota also use CVT in their Corolla, Corolla Cross, yaris, Vios etc,…..even the new hybrid only camry is using cvt. Is toyota cvt more reliable for both its hybrid & non hybrid cars?
same 4AT, like my viva.
At this price, the 130k range-ish Innova is a way better buy no? Doesn’t make any sense to be honest. 115k is introductory price. What’s the price after that? 120k? Kinda crazy if you ask me. Provided kit is rubbish.
test drove with 4 adults onboard towards Genting…damn sluggish like pregnant hippo, i dont understand why people wanna buy this car with siput engine and dinosaur transmission
Really sluggish ya boss? Hard for me too choose rhis car lah, bcs i want to use to balik kampung with kids and barang2
2 airbags, no ADAS, 4AT, 105hp engine at RM115k price tag. People who buy this needs to do CT scan on the brain to see if there’s anything wrong.
Safety is below par for a people mover. Next.
Rm115k for this?Hell no.
If this car has an AYC technology, it can go thru lite off road without 4×4 or AWD, plus 225mm ground clearance, you can easily park the car at uneven surfaces or take a shortcut thru jalan kampong during festive seasons or thru flash flood, but at this price I prefer chinese suvs.
What would you expect from a naturally aspirated 1.5L or 1.6L naturally aspirated engine from Xpander, BRV and AlzaVeloz???
Harap melingup la, lama menunggu, ni je MMC bagi. TQ anwar harga kereta murah lagi.
Harga tak berbaloi dgn spec diberikan.
Target nak cekau spender FL ni tapi dgn spec mcm tu, kena balik target veloz atau x90 la gayanya.
ADAS simple pun haram takde, panel meter plk buruk half2 plk. Infotaintment pun oldschool je