Mitsubishi Xpander is a new brutal MPV

The Grandis, delivered in the Netherlands until 2011 and presented in 2007 as a successor to the Space Wagon, is the last real MPV that Mitsubishi had on the menu here. Elsewhere in the world, Mitsubishi has never stopped providing such practical space wonders. For example, in its home country of Japan, the Delica D:2 is a space giant in the Kei-car segment and the Delica D:5 is a distant descendant of the much larger Space Gear based on the L400, which was also delivered in the Netherlands. In large parts of Southeast Asia and in South America and South Africa, among others, Mitsubishi has been selling the Xpander since 2017, a relatively compact MPV with seven seats, which has now been renewed.

Mitsubishi is doing pretty good business with the Xpander. To date, Mitsubishi has sold more than 370,000 copies of its approximately 4.5 meter long MPV. The sales of Nissan’s variant of the MPV – the Livina – are not even included in this. To extend the success of the Xpander, the car has now been examined.

chunky

The Xpander retains its cheeky snout, although the front is being revised. The car features a finely honed version of Mitsubishi’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ front end, complete with a new grille and redesigned bumper that the designers say should emphasize the car’s width and – yes – ‘low center of gravity’. As before, the lighting is spread over two layers. Although the whole does not look as intense as, for example, the aforementioned Delica D:5, the modified headlights in the bumper with their T-shape provide a relatively tough face.

Mitsubishi Xpander (2021 – )

Changes are also visible on the back. Here we notice a more angular bumper and the rear lights have also been renewed. They keep their shape, but have a different layout. The modified bumper work gives the Xpander larger overhangs. The carriage hangs 7.5 centimeters further past the wheels than before, 4.5 centimeters behind. According to Mitsubishi, this gives the MPV better proportions that a ‘high class feel’ to give. Special. The Xpander, which is naturally already with SUV influences, was already there as Cross, which further boosted the SUV content. Mitsubishi now raises every Xpander on its legs, which means that the ground clearance of each Xpander has been increased by up to 2 centimeters to a maximum of 23 centimeters.

Mitsubishi Xpander (2021 – )

Interior

We find more straight lines in the interior. Mitsubishi gives the Xpander a new dashboard that has had to exchange its sloping shape for a more minimalist-looking copy. The steering wheel is new, as are the ventilation grilles on the corners of the dashboard. Striking: this new dashboard is reserved for the higher trim levels. Other versions keep the old instrument panel. Mitsubishi also sharpens the technology and equipment and indicates that the CVT automatic transmission that is tied to the 106 hp 1.5 is smoother than before. Mitsubishi also says it has adjusted the shock absorbers.

As you expected, the renewed Xpander will not come to Europe. In Asia, the Xpander has competitors in the form of the Rush-Terios twins from Daihatsu and Toyota. Suzuki and Honda successively have the XL6/7 and BR-V on offer in this segment.