Verdict
These are radically different answers to Malaysian motoring. At RM99,980, the Mitsubishi Xpander brings seven seats, five doors and a 495-litre boot for family duty, plus rear air-con vents with blower control. The Toyota GR86 costs RM296,000, but its 234 hp, 250 Nm 2.4-litre engine, six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive put performance first; 0-100 km/h takes 6.3 seconds. The GR86 also has seven airbags and blind spot monitoring, yet its four-seat cabin and 226-litre boot make it a specialist second car rather than the Xpander’s practical all-rounder.
Pick the Mitsubishi Xpander if you need seven seats, a 495-litre boot and rear air-con at a far lower entry price.
Pick the Toyota GR86 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; Toyota GR86 RM296,000.
- Power and torque: Mitsubishi Xpander 104 hp and 141 Nm; Toyota GR86 234 hp and 250 Nm.
- Seating and doors: Mitsubishi Xpander 7 seats and 5 doors; Toyota GR86 4 seats and 2 doors.
- Boot space: Mitsubishi Xpander 495 litres; Toyota GR86 226 litres.
- Transmission and driveline: Mitsubishi Xpander 4-speed automatic, front-wheel drive; Toyota GR86 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive.
- Annual road tax: Mitsubishi Xpander RM120; Toyota GR86 RM767.
Xpander
- Seven seats with 60:40 second-row and 50:50 third-row folding
- 495-litre boot and rear air-con vents with blower control
- Rear parking sensors and a remote-operated boot
- 104 hp and 141 Nm trail the GR86's 234 hp and 250 Nm
- 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive versus the GR86's 6-speed manual and rear-wheel drive
- Only driver and passenger airbags; it lacks blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert
GR86
- 234 hp, 250 Nm and a 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Rear-wheel drive, rear limited-slip differential and double-wishbone rear suspension
- Seven airbags, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert
- Four seats and a 226-litre boot versus the Xpander's seven seats and 495 litres
- No rear air-con and only two front cup holders
- No rear parking sensors, while the Xpander has two
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 99,980✓ | RM 296,000 |
| 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, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,499 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 104 hp | 234 hp✓ |
| Torque | 141 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| 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 | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 4 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Jatco | Toyota |
| 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 | 1,291 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 | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Ecopia 150 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Rear Limited Slip Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Headlamps |
| 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 | Foldable |
| 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, 2 Front USB |
| 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" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down | Driver and Passenger One Touch Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 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 GR86 FAQ
Is the Mitsubishi Xpander or Toyota GR86 better?
The Xpander is better for carrying people and luggage, with seven seats and a 495-litre boot. The GR86 is better for performance-focused driving, with 234 hp, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR86 costs RM196,020 more than the Mitsubishi Xpander: RM296,000 against RM99,980.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Mitsubishi Xpander has the lower annual road tax at RM120, compared with RM767 for the Toyota GR86.