Even though Thai buyers are not as fond of 7-seaters like neighbours Indonesia and Malaysia, the Mitsubishi Xpander seems to be the main choice when it comes to a people mover in the Kingdom.

As such, Thailand’s most popular 7-seater will be getting an update in March, according to Thai automotive website, Headlight Mag. The Mitsubishi Xpander received a facelift back in November 2021 which made its global debut in Indonesia, where 7-seaters rule the roost.

Since this is a facelift, the updated Xpander gets a redesigned front grille along with new LED headlights and taillights.

Also read: Up close with the 2021 Mitsubishi Xpander facelift, now with CVT and EPB

The nip and tuck aren’t restricted to the outside with the interior sporting a more modern dashboard, a new steering wheel, a digital air-cond panel, a redesigned instrument cluster, and an electric parking brake (EPB).

But the biggest change for the Xpander lies in its transmission. Out goes the traditional 4-speed automatic (to the delight of some of us in WapCar) and in goes the modern CVT automatic. That transmission is still paired to the same 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine (105 PS/141 Nm) and powers the front wheels.

Also read: Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal

Mitsubishi’s 7-seater still only offers a pair of airbags up front, ABS, and ASC which makes it a bit inferior on the safety front as rivals like the Toyota Avanza and Honda BR-V comes with ADAS on some variants.

Also read: Ahead of Malaysia, 2022 Toyota Avanza to be launched in Thailand in February

Still, the Xpander would still pull in money for Mitsubishi. The outgoing Xpander is an outright leader among 7-seaters in Thailand ever since it was introduced in 2018.

Also read: Mitsubishi Xpander accounts nearly 60% of 7-seaters sold in Thailand in Q1 2021

Currently, the pre-facelift Xpander is available in Thailand with 2 variants – GLS-LTD and GT. Well, it’s actually 3 variants if the Xpander Cross is included and prices start from THB 789,000 (~RM 99k). Just like the pre-facelift, the updated Xpander would be arriving in the Kingdom as a fully-imported (CBU) model from Indonesia.

Meanwhile, since the Malaysian-spec Xpander is locally-assembled (CKD) in Pekan by MMC Manufacturing Malaysia Sdn Bhd, it might take some time for the updated model to make it here. This is due to the amount of time needed for the plant to prepare for local assembly.

Also read: Mitsubishi rounds off a stellar 2021 – Xpander unseats BR-V