Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has announced the 2022 Xpander, in case you haven’t seen it yet. The 7-seater MPV receives a comprehensive redesign both inside and out, as well as additional standard equipment across the range. Mitsubishi also increased the length and height of the 2022 Xpander over its predecessor.
With the Xpander currently on the market, the 7-seater will compete directly with the 2022 Toyota Avanza, which was also introduced a few months earlier. However, unlike the Xpander, the Avanza is completely new from the ground up. More notably, the Avanza has shifted from a rear-wheel drive (RWD) base to a front-wheel drive (FWD) monocoque design that is more passenger-friendly.
What better way to evaluate the two new MPVs than with a spec comparison of the Toyota Avanza and the Mitsubishi Xpander? Will the all-new generation Avanza be able to outperform Mitsubishi’s revamped competitor? Will the Xpander continue to outperform the new Toyota?
Size Matter
Let’s begin by comparing the dimensions of both cars. Toyota’s new 7-seater, beginning with the Avanza, is 4395mm long, 1730mm wide, and 1690mm height. The top-spec 1.5 G model stands at 1700mm due to the 16-inch alloy wheels, while the E variants all stand at 1690mm due to the 15-inch wheels. The J model is the smallest of the lot, standing at 1665mm tall.
All Xpander models, from the GLX to the GLS, share comparable proportions. That’s correct, each variety is 4595mm long, 1750mm broad, and 1750mm tall. The Xpander also has a larger wheelbase than the Avanza (2775mm). Last but not least, the Mitsubishi offers 225mm more ground clearance.
Overall, the redesigned Xpander outsized the Avanza in terms of raw size. The Mitsubishi provides more peace of mind when it comes to storing freight, ferrying passengers, and passing certain puddles of water in a deluge, thanks to its roomier interior and higher ground clearance.
List of equipment
Starting with the Xpander, the GLX and GLS get a new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It not only has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it also has Bluetooth, USB, and an AM/FM radio. It also boasts a new digital air-conditioning system, with automated climate management on the GLS model.
The Xpander also has an electronic parking brake (EPB), a leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment, push-button start (GLS exclusive), soft-pad touch panels for a more premium feel, cruise control, charging ports for the second and third-row seats, cupholders on the second-row armrest, and a front armrest for the driver/front passenger.
When comparing the two, it appears that Mitsubishi was more liberal with its cabin equipment because it is available across the lineup. Meanwhile, the Avanza has numerous, although most are only available in the MPV’s E and G variants.
First and foremost, safety.
Because MPVs are sometimes the preferred choice for a family car, they are outfitted with the most advanced safety technologies. The Avanza and Xpander are no exception, since they are equipped with several safety equipment.
Both MPVs are equipped with active stability control with traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, hill-start assist (also known as hill-hold control), and twin front airbags. The Xpander also boasts a rearview camera and rear parking sensors, both of which are standard across the board. Meanwhile, only the Avanza E and G models come with the reverse camera and parking sensor kit. This means that the base model J is devoid of any parking assistance.
Blind-spot monitoring, on the other hand, is only available on the Avanza 1.5 G. It acts as an extra set of eyes for the driver, keeping an eye out for anything in the vehicle’s blind area. It’s also the only option featuring an extra front curtain and front side airbags for further peace of mind in the event of an accident.
Overall, both 7-seaters are outfitted with several systems to keep passengers secure while on the road. However, the Avanza in 1.5 G trim comes with several nice amenities that provide a sense of security. Mitsubishi should be able to adapt some comparable enhancements for the Xpander in a future release.
What is the cost?
After reviewing all of the data and statistics for the two cars, it’s time to look at the pricing for both MPVs.
The entry-level 1.3 J 2022 Avanza begins at PHP 813,000. Moving on to the 1.3 E M/T, this one is priced at PHP 928,000. If you want it with a CVT, the price jumps to PHP 984,000. If you want the top-spec 1.5 G CVT, you’ll have to pay PHP 1,039,000.
In terms of the 2022 Xpander, the GLX M/T starts at PHP 1,050,000. The GLX A/T model is significantly more expensive. This Mitsubishi Xpander Price Philippines is PHP 1,110,000. However, if you like the edition with all the bells and whistles, the GLS A/T version costs PHP 1,180,000.
Will you go with the Toyota Avanza or the Mitsubishi Xpander if you need a new MPV? Let us know in the comments which 7-seater MPV is your favorite.
