SIMPLICITY SELLS
There’s often a negative connotation when something is simple.
Words that are often associated with this are plain, ordinary and basic. And in a world where continuous spectacles online and on-ground are necessary to grab and maintain ever-shortening attention spans, the aforementioned words can prove lethal.
This is no coincidence – neoliberal capitalism absolutely thrives on creating and satisfying wants, thus making consumers demand more than what they actually need. Such is the principle behind the luxury item, which has higher production costs because of more premium materials and, critically, more skilled labor.
But much of a luxury item’s price premium (and thus, higher profit margins) banks on non-production factors like brand prestige and perceived superiority. In other words, capitalists make far more money from buyers who are willing to pay for much more than what they need so that they feel special.
But there are notable exceptions – the definitively non-luxury Mitsubishi Xpander has been the bestselling multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in the Philippines for two years in a row. We find out why.
Familiar yet distinct
It’s hard to believe that the Xpander has been with us since March 2018, only getting a facelift in March 2022.
Seven years down the line, thousands and thousands of these Diamond Star MPVs have taken the baton from its predecessor, the legendary Adventure. Common as the Xpander is, things like the Advanced Dynamic Shield front grille, high-mounted LED daytime running lights and powerful, T-shaped LED headlights still make it stand out from other MPVs.
The Xpander also towers over other cars, thanks to its class-leading 225 millimeters of ground clearance and large 17-inch alloy wheels. This upscale GLS model gets also tasteful chrome accents on the grill, side mirrors, door handles and side skirts, with the prominent character line breaking up the flat side profile.
At the rear, the boomerang-style LED taillights are placed high for better visibility, while the tailgate spoiler and silver lower-bumper trim provide a more premium vibe than the base GLX variant.
Unmatched comfort for 7
Inside is where the Xpander GLS really sets itself apart from similarly priced sedans.
There is generous headroom and legroom for seven passengers, with both front and rear rows getting strong air-conditioners. However, I would have liked a center headrest for the second row for greater comfort and safety.
The hard plastics on the dashboard and door cards are sadly par for the class, but things like the brown leather accents and soft fabric trim are easily worth the extra over the rather sparse Honda BR-V S with its sandpaper-like upholstery. In addition, the Xpander GLS’ front seats offer much better support than the Honda’s, although steering tilt may not enough for tall drivers.
With all the rear seats folded, you get a cavernous cargo area that is flat enough to carry heavy items safely. This big Mitsubishi also carries over interior features from the larger Montero Sport, such as the push-start button, the clear gauges and the gear selector.
Happily, the controls for the climate-control and 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are easy to use and navigate, but the rear-view camera is quite blurry.
Smooth ride
The Xpander GLS is unquestionably a cut above the BR-V in terms of refinement and ride comfort.
Where the Honda gets raucous at higher speeds because of poor soundproofing, the Mitsubishi is a comfortable cruiser, whatever your pace may be. This is helped by the firm yet pliant suspension, which is beaten only by the uprated dampers in the more posh Xpander Cross.
Driving the Xpander GLS is also dead-easy thanks to the light steering and tight turning radius. However, I would have wanted more feel and a tighter steering ratio to make it more responsive on the move.
Another point of improvement is the braking system – apart from the spongy pedal, braking action isn’t quite as strong as in other MPVs. Nonetheless, you get nifty features like dual front airbags, hill-start assist, stability control and an electronic parking brake with auto hold.
Having cruise control as standard is a big plus over the BR-V S, but a full active-safety suite that would rival the trailblazing Honda SENSING system in the BR-V VX would really beef up the Xpander GLS’ arsenal.
Outdated 4-speed auto
But where this Mitsubishi really shows its age is the performance.
It shares the same 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine as the brilliant Xforce crossover, so you get a reasonable 104 horsepower and 141 Newton-meters of torque. This is quite a bit less than the class-leading 119 horsepower and 145 Newton-meters of torque in the BR-V.
However, where the Xforce and the BR-V get intelligent continuous variable transmissions (CVT), the Xpander GLS is saddled by its archaic 4-speed automatic gearbox. Smooth and responsive it may be, but the long gearing means acceleration is sluggish, especially when it’s fully loaded.
The throwback transmission also doesn’t help the fuel consumption, which we tested at 7 to 10 kilometers per liter in the city and 15 to 18 kilometers per liter on the expressway. This is considerably lower than the sprightlier Honda, which did 10 to 13 in the city and a sensational 20 to 23 on the open road.
Right product, right price
Overall, the 2025 Mitsubishi Xpander GLS occupies a sweet spot in the market for Filipino families who need a big car for little money.
It’s a relatively simple vehicle, but it doesn’t leave you feeling short-changed – at P1,216,000, it offers better value than the P1,155,000 BR-V S, thanks to more standard equipment and far superior comfort for seven passengers. However, the P1,198,000 Hyundai Stargazer GLS has comparable features and a more responsive, fuel-efficient powertrain.
In other words, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation simply needs to put in the CVT from the Xforce so that the Xpander will instantly be more competitive. It could also blow all the other MPVs out of the water by bringing in the Xpander HEV, which packs a 1.6-liter inline-4 gasoline engine mated to an electric motor.
An electrified Xpander would definitely keep it at number one for years to come.
