Owner Review: Definitely worth the wait - My 2021 Mitsubishi Xpander in Malaysia

** This article is published on WapCar Community, represent the opinion of users. Click the link below to enter the community for car enthusiasts in Malaysia
https://www.wapcar.my/forum

Basic information

2021 Mitsubishi Xpander 1.5L

The reason why I bought this car

Why? I need something high to cross flash flood. Something comfortable but handles well. Something with modern touches like Android Auto support & auto headlights. Something small outside but spacious inside. Something with 7 seats. If you notice, some of these reasons are kinda a tall order & don't go along with each other (like a tall vehicle with great handling). But, turns out, there is something that ticks all of these boxes.

Car selection process

• I had a budget of RM 100k and below with some cost set aside for maintenance. 
• Models that I have considered include: Perodua Alza, Proton Exora, Perodua Aruz, Toyota Rush, Honda BRV, Mitsubishi Xpander.

Reasons why I chose this car:

Because it ticks all of the above requirements & more. I have go through extensive reviews of the Xpander. Wapcar, Autobuzz, Engear, Paultan, Careta, Pandulaju, Bobby Ang, Nazz Abdullah, Kon Wai Luen, Uncle Rally @ YS Khong, & Bengtures. This is the first time i see a car that is fit for ALL my needs. Of course, i did 3 test drives. Rush, BRV & Xpander. Xpander came out on top for me. Exora & Alza? Too old & i have had my share of Perodua & Proton experience so i'm taking these two out of the equation.

User Experience

• I have already done 555 km
• My average fuel consumption is 12.8 km/L

Thoughts? Well, it was great because the car delivered the promises of why i chose it. The driving was great, for a tall vehicle. NVH was OK, better than BRV & Rush. I can play the mp3 with only volume 7 & still perfectly audible while driving at 100 km/h. Performance was good enough for me. The torque comes in early, typical of japanese engine tuning. Driving it was not cumbersome, at all. It is in fact, quite close to my old Axia. Xpander is big on the inside but feels small when you drive it.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Pros? Well surely a lot have been covered by reviewers but i'll list out some that i like:
1. Handling & comfort. The Xpander feels like a RM 100k+ car to drive. It was stable & yet very adept at ironing out the jolts & jostles of our wonderful roadways.
2. The practicality & the flat-folding rear seats. That's just awesome.
3. Build quality & soundproofing is great for its price.
4. Android Auto is super easy to use & very convenient. I use g.maps frequently so this feature is godsend.
5. Easy to get comfy as driver because of tilt-telescopic steering & the cruise control. This 2 features aren't available in Rush & BRV.

Cons

Xpander was great & satisfying for me. But there's more to improve. Let's see:
1. Lower front bumper doesn't have a grill net cover. This allows small rocks to fly straight towards the condenser & dent it, over time.
2. Just 2 airbags. Yeah, the unavoidable sore topic for Xpander.
3. The 360 camera resolution is scary.
4. No free service. I even have to pay for labour cost for 1000 km inspection.
5. Halogen DRL. Come on, just rewire the positioning lights to be DRL. Otherwise, wasted on such a nice diamond design, only to be lit as positioning lights.

Ratings:

Total Score: 4
Performance: 3
Quality & Features: 4
Space: 5
Ride Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 3
Price & Cost: 4

Summary:

It was a great first impression. I expected many things from Xpander & so far, it delivered. Minor niggles aside, i had made the right choice. BRV may be faster but lacking in many other areas. Same story with Rush. Rush is safer but lacking, too, in many other areas. Xpander is the one that ticks the most boxes. Hence, the purchase. The waiting period is scary but in the end, it was worth the wait.

The exterior looks. Xpander is a looker, really. Not many yet in Lipis area of Pahang. Many were looking at this car when i drove it around the neighborhood & the Lipis town. Some gave thumbs up & some just came around to inspect & ask question. Not gonna lie, it was a great feeling. Lol.

📢📢Announcement:

After reading a countless number of Owner Review stories, are you interested in sharing your own story also? WapCar sincerely invites YOU to share the genuine feelings of your car!

You may receive special souvenirs from WapCar! Sign up now to know more! WapCar staff will contact you shortly after you sign up.