Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Rush - The modish MPV & SUV tussle

The Philippines roads are filled with cars that are more inclined towards the efficiency quotient, especially the bigger MPVs. And while speaking about efficiency, we can barely miss the all-new Mitsubishi Xpander, a nameplate that has been doing tremendously well since its inception. In fact, only recently its newest variant, the Xpander Cross made its local debut; it sits at the top of the model lineup. 

As for the new Toyota Rush, a car rules the entry-level SUV space quite fittingly, thanks to the versatile 7-seater variant and it was only last year that the new Rush GR-S trim was added to the range. The car has impressed many with its striking resemblance to the Fortuner, some even call it the “Baby Fortuner”. And the price at which it is sold, the big seven-seater looks quite tempting.

Let us now put both against each other and see which is the better money-for-value option. 

The designing

We won’t be wrong in saying that the Xpander is a striking car in the entire Mitsubishi line-up. The car looks a lot like any concept model from the front with a huge air intake grille on the well-chiseled nose. The headlamps and fog lamps are placed with precision at the most unorthodox casing. The wheel arches are more squared than most of the cars and are apt for its 17-inch wheels. The sharp lines along the doors meet the urbanized T-shaped tail lights and the rear boot spoiler has an inbuilt stop light.

Dimensions	Mitsubishi Xpander	Toyota Rush
Length	4,595 mm	4466/2235 mm
Width	1,750 mm	1687/1695 mm
Height	1,750 mm	1705 mm
Wheelbase	2,775 mm	2,685 mm
Ground Clearance	225 mm	220 mm
Turning Radius	5.2 m	5.2 m
Seating Capacity	7	7

The Toyota Rush, on the other hand, has a more mainstream design. The car is well suspended over the MacPherson strut in the front while the rear has an Axel Type with a 5-link suspension. Plus, due to the bigger 17-inch wheels (16-inch for E), the ground clearance stands at 220 mm, which is quite impressive for an entry-level SUV. The car gets more black cladding than the Xpander with more prominent side skirts.

Interior and safety

The Mitsubishi Xpander has a spacious cabin with all the rows featuring ample legroom for all occupants. Plus, even with all the seats up, it offers deep and wide cargo. On the dashboard is a 7-inch Smartphone Link Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, Tuner, and a USB port. The music is routed to six speakers on the higher variants while the base trim has just four.

Speaking about safety, some features aids like SRS front airbags, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal system, Brake Assist, Rear Camera, Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body, Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Active Stability Control & Traction Control.

The Toyota Rush is available in a 7-seater layout which is the key to the model’s success. The variant is competently spacious, with ample legroom for the last row. The material on the inside is of good fit and finish and resembles the smaller Vios. The key highlight is that it scored a higher rating on the NCAP crash test than the competing Xpander.

Features	Mitsubishi Xpander	Toyota Rush
Stereo	7-inch Smartphone Link Display	7-inch display audio system
Speakers	6-4 speakers	6-8 speakers
Connectivity	Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, Tuner, and USB port	Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and functions like voice control, AM/FM, and Bluetooth
Airbags	SRS dual front	6
Anti-lock Braking system	Equipped
Active Stability Control	Equipped
Hill Start Assist	Equipped
ISOFIX	Equipped

Plus, it even features more safety options compared to the Xpander. The list includes more airbags (driver, front passenger, side, and curtain shield), ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control, hill start assist control, seat belt reminder, child restraint system with ISOFIX, LED high mount stop lamp, back sonar, camera, TVSS, and emergency brake signal. 

The car features a 7-inch display audio system with smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and functions like voice control, AM/FM, and Bluetooth. The Rush gets a USB charger, a 12V accessory outlet (3 in higher-spec trim), and six speakers (8 in higher-spec trim). 

Engine and efficiency

The Mitsubishi Xpander and Toyota Rush aren’t very different when it comes to power delivery. The former is powered by a 1.5-litre, inline four-cylinder engine generating a maximum power of 104.5 PS at 6,000 rpm along with a peak torque of 141 Nm at 4,000 rpm. Transmission options include a 4-speed automatic and a 5-speed manual unit.

The engine is very smooth to drive and the accelerator pedal does not feel very laggy, though you don’t get outright power. The maximum power and torque come at low RPM, which means the motor does not gobble up a lot of fuel.

Performance	Mitsubishi Xpander	Toyota Rush
Engine	1.5L 4 In-Line DOHC MIVEC	4-Cyl, In-Line, DOHC with Dual VVT-i
Displacement	1,499 cc	1496 cc
Power	104.5 PS at 6,000 rpm	103 PS at 6,000 rpm
Torque	141 Nm at 4,000 rpm	134 NM at 4,200 rpm
Transmission	4-speed automatic/ 5-speed manual	4-speed automatic/ 5-speed manual

The new Toyota Rush is also powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder, inline 16V DOHC with Dual VVT-i engine which makes 103 PS at 6,000 rpm and 134 Nm at 4,200 rpm. On paper, it is slightly inferior to the Xpander, but when it comes to the actual road condition, the two cars have identical performance. Even the transmission options are the same as the Mitsubishi SUV, a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic. 

The more efficient car wins

Though we have already seen a lot of the Mitsubishi Xpander and love everything it offers, including the luxurious 7-seater cabin and good fuel efficiency, the Toyota Rush is a threat to its growing popularity.

The 7-seater Rush surely posed a greater challenge to most of its competitors, including the Xpander, with its versatility and efficiency.