Fierce XForce foray
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has finally launched the Mitsubishi XForce in the local market, making it the new hottest crossover to enter the B-segment SUV fray these days.
The particular segment is teeming with cutthroat competition, hence the XForce’s arrival stirs the nest of the segment’s heavyweights and other more established models.
Newly-minted MMPC president Ritsu Imaeda is bullish that the vehicle would be able to penetrate the market.
In fact, he said in a press conference with the media right after the launch ceremony held at the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-La Manila The Fort in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, that they’re targeting to sell about 7,000 units of the vehicle within the company’s fiscal year or until March of 2025.
“We are having positive feedback from our dealer partners as the crossover suits the Philippine market,” he said.
“That’s why we’re pretty confident with the XForce.”
A game-changing crossover SUVFor one, the five-door crossover is definitely an eye-candy. It’s an epitome of what a compact crossover should look like–petite, funky and sexy. It starts with its iconic Dynamic Shield concept on its front fascia, accentuated by its three-diamond logo.
This is then paired with LED lights and daytime running lights, complemented by its robust yet curvaceous side profile, highlighted by its fenders, depicting an athletic and dynamic character.
From the front, all these spill over to its rear with its equally spirited design layout. This panache is then capped by 18-inch nifty wheels, standard for both its GLS and GT variants, and a high-ground clearance of 193mm, the best in its class.
Inside, it’s inspired by the Xpander. From its black interiors, to design cues and accents, most of them resemble the latter. What’s more is that it offers the segment firsts, nanoe-x air filtration system, and of course, the Yamaha premium sound system.
Performance-wise, its game-changing prowess continues. Its NVH levels are top-notch. Ride is one of the most comfortable with its Macphersons suspension at the front and torsion beam at the back.
For its powertrain, it’s not one of its strong suits as its 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with a CVT, only produces 104hp and 141N-m of torque. It makes up for it–however–with a segment-leading Active Yaw Control which has drive modes, such as Normal, Wet, Gravel and Mud. It likewise features an unprecedented gauge for driver behavior, along with a G-meter monitor and many others.
The vehicle then comes in two variants, the GLS and the GT, priced respectively at P1.367 million and P1.581 million.
Other contendersOne of the heavyweights of B-segment SUVs is the Ford Territory, which was able to sell 9,119 units in 2023. It keeps a four-year streak of consecutively leading the segment with a market share of about 44 percent. The vehicle is tagged starting at P1.3M up to P1.6M.
Next is the Toyota Yaris Cross. It sold about 5,300 units last year and comes with its top-tier hybrid version that is priced at P1.6M.
The Honda HR-V, meanwhile, which is priced from P1.3M to P1.7M, delivered more than 1,000 units last year.
One of the more established models in the segment is the Geely Coolray, which then starts at P1,083,000, with its top-tier priced at P1,299,000
With these numbers, how would the Mitsubishi XForce then fare in the market? Will it be able to reach its targets?
