This newly-updated Mitsubishi MPV arrives locally in two guises: Xpander and Xpander Plus.
Despite being a thing in Indonesia for quite some time already, the newly-updated Mitsubishi Xpander has just recently been launched over here. This facelifted 7-seat people mover from the Japanese tri-diamond marque lands locally in two guises: Xpander from RM 99,980 and Xpander Plus from RM 109,980.
Now what’s new with this updated Xpander starts right up front with a bolder Dynamic Shield fascia, complete with revised horizontal-style bumper and new sideways T-shaped lower projector LED headlights that makes this MPV look more like its Mitsubishi pickup counterpart. Its rump meanwhile has been similarly macho-fied too, as it nets a revised set of sharper (and somewhat smoked) T-shaped LED tail lights and rear bumper.
As for changes down its side, this already high-riding people mover has since been further raised by 20 mm into the air during this update, to give this Xpander a touted best-in-class ground clearance of 225 mm. Mitsubishi nevertheless also touts that the absorbers have been upgraded and enlarged by 5 mm for a more comfort-oriented ride, while the newly enlarged 17-inch dual tone alloys (up from the 16s from before) gives this MPV slightly more street-cred.
Differentiating the newly-introduced Plus variant over the regular Xpander from the outside can be done by observing the presence of silver as the colour of its front and rear lower bumper sections, as the base variant nets black-painted items instead. The higher-end trim is to be the only one out of the two to feature similarly silver side skirts as well, along with a tailgate spoiler and door visors.
Moving along within, the refreshed Xpander features a revised straighter-edged dashboard design that houses a new digital display for the air conditioning and a 9-inch free-standing central infotainment touchscreen (with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility). New up front too inside this Mitsubishi MPV is a revised steering wheel design, with this people mover also netting an electronic hand brake in place of the old mechanical unit.
The Japanese automaker has further touted that it has added ‘premium soft touch’ brown synthetic leather trim on the door trim and armrest, for a ‘higher-class feel’ within the cabin. Added absorber and insulator materials has since apparently gone into this updated MPV as well, for improved NVH while on the move.
Interestingly though, only the Plus variant gets leatherette upholstery for its seats. The range-topper is also to be the only trim that gains a 360º surround view camera, the wireless charging pad up front under the air-con controls, as well as a front and rear dash cam.
Practicality within this updated Xpander remains much same with its pre-facelift predecessor, with plenty of cubby holes and pockets throughout the entirety of the vehicle. The same independently-controlled ceiling-mounted rear row blower is still to be a fixture on this MPV, as is the incredibly easy-to-use one-lever-tumble feature on the second row sliding seats.
Similarly, what lies under the hood of this facelifted Xpander has been carried over wholesale from its pre-update predecessor. So driving the front wheels through a (still in 2024!) four-speed automatic transmission is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that pumps out 105 PS and 141 Nm of torque.
4 colour options are to be available with this updated Xpander: Diamond Black, new Graphite Gray, Red Metallic and Quartz White Pearl (RM300 surcharge applies). The aforementioned prices of this newly-facelifted MPVs above is only incidentally applicable till the end of this year, while the first 500 customers who book and register one via the Mitsubishi Online Showroom will further get a free Naturehike Camping Wagon worth RM 400.
Over 40,000 Xpanders have since been assembled and sold in Malaysia since its initial launch back in 2020, thereby making this particular Mitsubishi the best-selling non-national MPV over here for the last three consecutive years. Worth highlighting at the end here too while on the topic of the tri-diamond marque is that this is not to be its only local launch as well, with there being rumours that the all-new next-gen Triton is finally to be arriving over here in the coming weeks!
