Verdict
These are radically different buys. At RM99,980, the Mitsubishi Xpander gives a Malaysian family seven seats, a 495-litre boot and rear air-con vents with blower control, while its 1.5-litre 104 hp/141 Nm engine and four-speed automatic prioritise simple people-moving. The RM249,245 Subaru BRZ is a four-seat, rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual, 234 hp and 250 Nm; it reaches 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. Its 226-litre boot and 1,310 mm height make it the far less useful family car, but the more focused driver’s choice.
Pick the Mitsubishi Xpander if you need seven seats, a 495-litre boot and a far lower RM99,980 entry price.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want a 234 hp rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual and 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Mitsubishi Xpander RM99,980; Subaru BRZ RM249,245.
- Power and torque: Xpander 104 hp and 141 Nm; BRZ 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- Drivetrain and transmission: Xpander front-wheel drive with a four-speed automatic; BRZ rear-wheel drive with a six-speed manual.
- Seating and boot space: Xpander seven seats and 495 litres; BRZ four seats and 226 litres.
- Dimensions: Xpander is 4,475 mm long and 1,720 mm tall; BRZ is 4,265 mm long and 1,310 mm tall.
- Road tax: Xpander RM120 a year; BRZ RM767 a year.
Xpander
- Seven seats and a 495-litre boot.
- Rear air-con vents with blower control, plus two rear USB ports.
- Full-size spare tyre.
- 104 hp and 141 Nm trail the BRZ's 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- Only driver and passenger airbags, against the BRZ's seven airbags.
- Four-speed automatic and front-wheel drive instead of the BRZ's six-speed manual rear-wheel-drive layout.
BRZ
- 234 hp, 250 Nm and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Seven airbags, blind spot information system and rear cross traffic alert.
- Double-wishbone rear suspension and ventilated rear disc brakes.
- Four seats and a 226-litre boot versus the Xpander's seven seats and 495 litres.
- RM149,265 more expensive than the Xpander.
- RM767 annual road tax versus RM120.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 99,980✓ | RM 249,245 |
| Body type | MPV | Coupe |
| Segment | B-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 104 hp | 234 hp✓ |
| Torque | 141 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Boxer |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 75 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 4AT | — |
| Gears | 4 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 226 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,475 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,750 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,720 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,775 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,240 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 7 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 495 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R17 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R17 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Full Size | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Ecopia 150 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Second row 60:40 Split Fold, Third row 50:50 Split Fold | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Manual Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row | 2 Front |
| Audio | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 120✓ | RM 767 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Xpander vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Mitsubishi Xpander or Subaru BRZ better?
The Xpander is better for carrying people and luggage, with seven seats and a 495-litre boot. The BRZ is better for driving performance, using 234 hp, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru BRZ costs RM149,265 more than the Mitsubishi Xpander: RM249,245 against RM99,980.
Which is more practical for a family?
The Mitsubishi Xpander is decisively more practical, with seven seats, a 495-litre boot, rear air-con vents and five USB ports. The Subaru BRZ has four seats, a 226-litre boot and no rear air-con.