We have another much-awaited car to talk about this week as the locally-assembled (CKD) in Pekan 2020 Mitsubishi Xpander is now open for booking in Malaysia. Due to be officially launched in November, only one variant of the B-segment SUV is offered and prices aren't revealed yet.

Only one variant to choose

Only one variant of the Xpander is offered, but it comes with a host of features including:

• LED head and tail lamps
• 360-degree camera
• Android Auto and Apple Car Play support

We'll cover the features further down this article.

Model overview

Before we go further into the Xpander, here's a quick overview of the Xpander and its closest segment rivals, the Honda BR-V and Perodua Aruz.

Dimensions

The Xpander is also longer, wider and taller than all of its rivals - even boasting the longest wheelbase of them all (longer even than the Toyota Innova!). It also has a heady 205 mm ground clearance, which can prove useful in flash floods.

All of this should translate to a comfortable and spacious interior.

Exterior

We're skipping the old and jumping straight to the good stuff: we're getting the facelifted Xpander!

Which means the 'Dynamic Shield' front fascia gets LED positioning lights above the blocky headlights and foglamps. 

Capping off the look is a shark fin antenna on the roof, 16-inch wheels on the side and L-shaped LED combination tail lights.

Four colours are available to choose from: Diamond Black Mica, Red Metallic, Quartz White Pearl, and Titanium Grey Metallic.

Interior

First things first - yes, the massive 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto! Sound system is a 6-speaker setup.

Practicality and creature comforts is the name of the game here, and the Xpander comes with loads of places to keep your things. Pampering your rear-seat passengers are four roof-mounted air-conditioning vents.

Speaking of practicality, the Xpander seats seven with ample head and legroom for all. 

Space is definitely not a premium here, with at least 1 tennis ball knee and headroom for the average adult. Based on our initial impressions, we found the seats to be more comfortable than either the BR-V or the Aruz thanks to better thigh support, for one.

The second- and third-row seats fold flat to give a maximum boot space of 1,630 litres. With third-row seats down, the Xpander's boot space is 495 litres.

Other than these, the Xpander also has a 4-inch digital multi-info display nestled in between the analogue dials.

Safety features

Safety wise, the SUV comes with these as standard fittings:

• Two airbags
• ISOFIX child seat anchors
• Cruise control
• Anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution (ABS, EBD)
• Brake assist (BA)
• Active stability control (ASC)
• Hill start assist (HSA)

Other stuff include a 360-degree camera and a digital video recorder (DVR, or dashcam).

Powertrain

Derived from the Mitsubishi Colt but tuned to fit current requirements, the Xpander is powered by a 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated MIVEC petrol engine (code: 4A91) paired to a four-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel efficiency is a claimed 7 litres/100km.

Maximum power output is 105 PS at 6,000 rpm and 141 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, and it’s front-wheel drive. Power-to-weight ratio for the Xpander is a respectable 84 PS-per-tonne, slightly lesser than the BR-V's 94.6 PS-per-tonne but better than the Aruz's 74 PS-per-tonne.

Tyre sizes are 205/55R16 and stopping the Xpander are disc and drum brakes at the front and back, respectively. Suspension is handled by MacPherson struts in front and a torsion beam behind.

Pricing, warranty and after-sales

Bookings are open but you’ll have to wait a bit longer for the price - as of today, official prices haven’t been released. However, we predict it to be circa RM 100,000.

Meanwhile, the Xpander comes with a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty, and buyers can buy/service them at 52 showrooms nationwide (of which 46 are 3S centres).

Preview sessions

If you’d like to check out the Xpander, you can refer to the table below.

For more information on the Xpander, click on the model page and join our WhatsApp group and forum.

Oh and one more thing, we have our own official app now to bring you closer and faster to what's happening in Malaysia's automotive scene. Download now on Google Play