The newest compact carrier on the block: Mitsubishi Xpander

MANILA, Philippines — It is no wonder that the Mitsubishi Xpander was hailed by C! Awards as the Best Compact Carrier, recently.

As the newest kid on the block for the compact carrier the Xpander entered with much aplomb.

It cannot be denied that Xpander offers a dynamic and highly functional interior and exterior features. It also boasts roominess with a class-leading interior length providing comfortable space for a maximum of seven adults.

“The Mitsubishi Xpander, particularly in the GLS Sport trim, offers tremendous real-world practicality, generous standard equipment, comfort, and passenger capacity to the Philippine consumer,” said C! Magazine’s founding editor Kevin Limjoco. “The Xpander is awarded the best compact carrier in its class precisely because of its thoughtful attention to the needs and requirements of the Filipino consumer while making the product also genuinely attainable.”

The Xpander has actually recieved another award, Media’s Choice Award — Best Design MPV in the Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards.

There is no doubt as to why the  Xpander has gotten these awards — because when I got to test it recently I was awed by the design of the MPV. The Xpander presents exteriors look that says “macho” and “sturdy” all over it. Making me feel comfortably nestled in its interiors. Mitsubishi has indeed come up with a unique looker in the Xpander.

I recently took the Xpander for a drive to Pagsangjan, Laguna with some of my relatives who were here from abroad as my grandmother hails from there.

It was a leisurely three-hour drive we took as we stopped by Lety’s for some buko pie before we proceeded for suman and binbingka at Pagsanjan.

Hop on

As we loaded into the Xpander in Pasig, there were four of us adults seated comfortably in the Xpander.

One of my passengers commented that the Xpander is an excellent family car where people can sit comfortably and packages can be loaded in the trunk space. The also liked how neat and comfy the interiors were with the upholstery and generous compartments making the ride unique.

These comments made me realize that indeed the Xpander deserves the awards it has received. Not to be left unnoticed is the unique design of the Xpander, which looks tough and made my passengers that day feel safe with my driving.

Mitsubishi Motors made sure that it has an entry to the highly-competitive MPV segment by bringing in the Mitsubishi Xpander — the Japanese brand’s answer to the slot left by the Adventure AUV in the country. It has a masculine look, represented by the carmaker’s Dynamic Shield Design, huge bumper headlights, and skid plate.

Inside, the Mitsubishi Xpander has seven seats that boast class-leading interior space. It also offers a modern and stylish cabin design that features several comfort features typically seen in upmarket vehicles.

Power on

I told my passengers that the Xpander is powered by a 1.5-liter DOHC gasoline engine with Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control (MIVEC). And from the way the Xpander was able to overtake on SLEX and the smaller streets of Laguna we were impressed by the power of the engine.

Also and more importantly is just how efficient the engine is — such that gas consumption is kept to a minimum — a good thing for sure when one is driving out of town. The ride was never rough as it is equipped with a suspension system for maximum stability and high ground clearance keeping the ride smooth at all times even in the road ahead was rough.

For city driving I like how easy it was to maneuever the Xpander in and out of tight spaces and yet feel that the MPV was keeping me safe all the time.

The trip to Pagsanjan went so well and inside the Xpander we had the perfect time for catching up as a family, just what the Xpander is all about.

Driving safely, getting us to our destination and keeping my family together — I couldn’t ask for more.