Mitsubishi XForce: pros and cons

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation gained a potent entry to the ever-competitive subcompact crossover segment when it launched the all-new XForce. 

In a nutshell, the XForce is touted by the Japanese brand as a stylish ride boasting an impactful design, lots of practicality, and plenty of comfort for both daily and long-distance driving. As such, many prospective buyers may be eyeing the Mitsubishi-made crossover as their next ride. 

The question now is, what are the strengths and weaknesses of the Mitsubishi XForce? Let’s list the aforementioned down in order to help the model’s would-be buyers. 

Mitsubishi XForce: Pros

Eye-catching exterior

The XForce is one of the most unique-looking crossover models available in the market right now. The aforementioned is due to several stylish features, which the Japanese marque has packed into its front fascia. 

Specifically, the front end of the vehicle received the brand’s “New Generation Dynamic Shield Grille.” It isn’t large, but it provides the car with a lot of presence due to how it integrates with the squared and flattened shape of the model’s nose. 

Flanking the grille of the XForce are a pair of T-shaped headlamps, which were enhanced by several LED design elements, including a black and silver trim. 

The side of the model, meanwhile, assumes the typical crossover look with a relatively flat roof, high-riding ground clearance, and black plastic claddings. The said roof, however, is entirely colored in black, resulting in a sporty-looking two-tone color scheme. 

Over towards the rear is a chunky lower bumper, a pair of T-shaped LED taillights, a sculpted tailgate, and a prominent roof-mounted spoiler. 

Wrapping up the look of the XForce is a set of 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels. 

Gorgeous and well-equipped interior

Apart from its attractive exterior, the XForce was also kitted out with a well-designed, well-arranged cabin. 

To start, it has a minimalistic dashboard, which will appeal to most modern car buyers. The said part features a mostly flat top, while its front-facing section gets a gentle slope decorated by a combination of textured plastics and fabric-clad soft-touch surfaces. 

The cockpit doesn’t get much in the way of angular details, but it has several pleasingly sculpted shapes surrounding its passenger-side storage bin and air-conditioning vents. The digital display setup is likewise notable for being prominent yet remaining clear of the driver’s line of sight. The center console is also worthy of mention due to its richness of physical buttons. 

Moreover, all seats of the XForce’s top-spec GT trim get synthetic leather seats. The interior door cards do not have leather, but they have an interesting diamond pattern design instead. 

For actual driving amenities, the Mitsubishi crossover offers a lot. Examples of the aforementioned include an electronic parking brake, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, a push-to-start button, and a cooled center console storage bin. 

All occupants are likewise made cozy by a dual-zone automatic climate control system with rear vents, ambient lighting, and a rear center armrest, among others. 

Strong in practicality

Another key strength of the XForce is its versatile carbon storage section. The aforementioned is easily accessible thanks to a power tailgate. Plus, the trunk can come in a variety of arrangements due to its dual-level setup and the rear seat’s 40:20:40 split-folding functionality. 

If the aforementioned wasn’t enough, plenty of storage cubby holes and bins are spread around the cabin as well. The vehicle’s seatbacks come with pockets, while the bottom of the seats features an undertray. 

No shortage of tech

When it comes to onboard entertainment and navigation, the XForce uses a sizable 12.3-inch central display, which is larger compared to many other infotainment systems within the segment. 

Moreover, the infotainment system benefits from wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Together with the model’s wireless smartphone charger, the model’s users can do away with messy, tangle-prone cables entirely. Additionally, the sound quality in the vehicle is notable thanks to its eight-piece Yamaha speaker system.

Besides its array of digital screens, the said crossover was also kitted out with a suite of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS). 

Notable ADAS features of the XForce include adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, leading car notification, forward collision mitigation, automatic high beams, and rear-cross traffic alert, among others. 

The aforementioned features, of course, will provide extra peace of mind, especially for day-to-day use. Particularly, its adaptive cruise control will come in handy in reducing driver fatigue when tackling long highways. 

Mitsubishi XForce: Cons

Middling power within its class

Overall, the XForce is a well-equipped ride, but its engine is definitely not the most powerful in its class. 

For reference, both trims of the Mitsubishi crossover utilize a 1.5-liter naturally-aspirated inline-4 gasoline mill, which is capable of producing up to 103 horsepower and 141 Newton-meters of torque. Power, meanwhile, is sent to its front wheels via a continuously variable transmission. 

The aforementioned is especially true when compared to the similarly-sized Nissan Kicks e-Power, which is good for 134 hp and 280 Nm of torque. 

Mind you, the XForce’s on-paper engine output is more than enough for its size, and it is far more powerful than the 120-hp Toyota Corolla Cross. Nevertheless, having more power and torque on tap can mean more driving enjoyment. 

Final thoughts

With its striking looks and its abundance of amenities, the Mitsubishi XForce is a solid entry into the local subcompact crossover segment. It may not be the most powerful, but it presents a good overall balance of characteristics that will make it highly appealing to would-be car buyers. 

For those serious about getting the XForce, though, some actual seat time would be highly recommended. Reading about the vehicle online is good for initial research, but taking a vehicle out on a test drive would result in a more informed purchase in the end. 

Also read:

Mitsubishi Xforce gets 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating

Crossover clash: Mitsubishi XForce vs. Toyota Corolla Cross

Exploring Mitsubishi XForce's interior