Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT

The Xpander Cross 1.5L AT is the high-riding, muscular version of the standard Xpander from Mitsubishi. It's a new model from the Japanese automaker and conforms to the company's Dynamic Shield design scheme. The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT is the car's only version available in the Philippines. It comes in a monotone and two different dual-tone color options. The Mitsubishi Xpander Cross is one of the most popular cars in its segment. The multipurpose vehicle (MPV) is a family hauler that can accommodate seven people.   

Pros

• Superb ground clearance
• Rugged exterior design
• Among the most spacious in its class

Cons

• Expensive than most of its rivals.
• The 4-speed automatic is a bit underpowered

Specs and powertrain

The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT is hauled by a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder, petrol engine which produces 103PS maximum power at 6,000rpm and 141Nm peak torque at 4,000rpm. The motor is paired with a four-speed automatic. The car is mounted on coil springs on all four wheels. This lends the Xpander Cross a much better travelling comfort.

What is the difference between the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT and the top model?

There is no top model for the Xpander Cross. The specs are the same for all three versions. Only the color schemes differ. The two-tone Sunrise Orange and Quartz White Pearl color schemes are priced higher than the standard model. The Quartz White Pearl model gets leather seats.

Is the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT available in diesel?

No. The Xpander Cross is available only with a 1.5-liter petrol engine. 

Interior

The cabin of the Xpander Cross is has a lot of durable plastics to withstand the rigors of daily use. The car is more practical-oriented and focuses more on the utilitarian part than luxury. The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT comes with high-grade fabric seats. The four-spoke multifunction steering wheel adds a sports utility vehicle (SUV) look to the car. The doors are large and practical with fairly easy ingress and egress. The car comes with a lot of cubby holes, storage boxes, and pockets. 

Is the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT a seven-seater?

The Xpander Cross has always been a seven-seater. The 2023 facelift version has a better space management for all three rows compared to the earlier models. 

Exterior

The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT has a rather rugged outlook compared to most of its rivals. The new Dynamic Shield design has given the Xpander Cross a whole new appearance. The front bumper is now beefier. It still holds the turn signals and fog lamps. But the T-shaped headlights merge with chrome accents. The wheel arches come with black cladding that enhances the visual appeal. The crease lines are smooth. The Xpander Cross now has a sturdier, and robust appearance, courtesy its raised height, black trim pieces, and thicker bumpers. The car runs on 17-inch alloy wheels. 

What are the dimensions of the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT?

The car measures 4,595mm in length, 1,790mm in width, and 1,750mm in height. Its wheelbase is of 2,775mm.

Drive and performance

The updated Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT uses the same engine. While it's powerful enough for daily commuting and occasional weekend trips, the 4-speed AT is a letdown. The car struggles during quick revving. But once it gets the torque, it offers a smooth and planted ride. Handling the car is easy. It's quick to turn corners. Despite the increased ground clearance, there's no uncomfortable body roll. 

How much ground clearance does the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT have?

The car comes with 225mm of ground clearance. It's higher than MPVs and easily tides over most bumps and potholes.

Passenger and boot space

The cabin of the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT is among the most spacious in its segment. Even the third row has enough space to accommodate an average-sized Filipino. The car offers a smooth and well-balanced ride and never gets bouncy. Being a unibody chassis, the Xpander Cross does have a good road feel. But the seats are very comfortable with great back support. Long hours of travelling don't make the passengers tired. The suspension does a good job here. MPVs are mostly driven on urban streets and road imperfections are hardly felt inside the Xpander Cross. The car has 495 liters of boot space with the third row up.

Comfort and entertainment

The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with six speakers. It supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The air-conditioning system with rear vents cools the car pretty fast.

Safety features

The safety equipment and driver-assist features of the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT is pretty impressive. The car comes with cruise control, rear parking sensors, antilock braking, engine immobilizer, and child seat anchors. But there are a few notable omissions like blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning. The Xpander Cross now comes with Mitsubishi’s Active Yaw Control (AYC), which allows the car to better sustain longitudinal acceleration. The AYC also improves the vehicle's lateral stability by controlling the torque at any given moment. The car has a 4-star ASEAN NCAP rating.  

How many airbags does the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT have?

The car comes with only the driver's and front passenger's airbags.

Fuel consumption

Mitsubishi claims that the car returns an average mileage of 22kmpl. 

Value for money

The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT has a starting price of ₱1.328 million. The car comes with a 3-year/100,000km warranty. Price-wise the car is expensive than most of its peers. But practicality and solid build quality gives the Xpander Cross an edge over its rivals. 

What other cars that can be compared to the Xpander Cross?

Toyota Innova, Honda BR-V and the Toyota Veloz are the closest rivals of the Xpander Cross.

Verdict

The 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross 1.5L AT is a mix of both worlds. It provides MPV-like utility along with the looks of an SUV. The Dynamic Shield design and AYC makes the car more drivable than ever. Interior comfort is largely the same as in other MPVs. While there are less expensive options, the Xpander Cross is a nice family car for those who want style with substance.