One of the booming segments now in the world of fast fashion is athleisure—a term derived from the combination of the words “athletic” and “leisure.” Athleisure is basically apparel for the sports-minded (i.e. people who take up sports but are not hardcore athletes) or those who simply want to enjoy the comfort and functionality of athletic apparel. The Oxford dictionary defines athleisure as “casual, comfortable clothing designed to be suitable both for exercise and everyday wear.” It’s why we all love the Dri-FIT, Climacool, and Airism outfits from Nike, adidas, and Uniqlo.
Car makers have jumped on this bandwagon as well. But instead of athleisure, they call it the “crossover.” Crossovers are basically cars that look like true SUVs or 4x4s (and share some of their functionalities) but are easy to drive and don’t have the typical 4×4’s cost and complexity. You don’t have to know the difference between 4 High and 4 Low and know the purpose of a transfer case or a center differential (let alone use them) when you have a crossover. But you still look cool and adventurous behind the wheel of one.
Which brings us to a prime example of a crossover. It’s the Mitsubishi XFORCE and it’s at the top of the crossover game. Here’s why:
1. It’s got the right mix of sportiness and style
Crossovers rule the roads now, which means that one needs to stand out to be noticed. The XFORCE has what it takes to turn heads. It sports the brand’s bold Dynamic Shield fascia and signature T-shaped LED headlamps and tail lamps, which perfectly reflects a sporty lifestyle.
The XFORCE rides tall with its generous 193mm ground clearance—among the highest in its class—allowing it to traverse rough roads and flooded streets with ease. Its handsome 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels are the equivalent of cross trainers—ultra-comfy for daily use yet capable of athletic moves.
2. It can take you anywhere with little effort
With a responsive yet fuel-efficient 1.5L MIVEC engine under the hood mated to a CVT, the XFORCE gives you the best of both worlds. And with four drive modes (Normal, Wet, Gravel and Mud), it can transport you basically over any challenging road condition you can face. These drive modes adjust power delivery, traction control and steering effort for maximum driving confidence on various situations. The Wet mode is a unique feature specifically developed for our flood-prone roads.
3. It has high levels of functionality
What sets athleisure apart from regular apparel is its functionality, whether it’s sweat-wicking properties or four-way stretchability. Ditto the XFORCE. Its horizontal axis dashboard design, 8-inch digital meter, and intuitive layout ensure that all controls are easily accessible.
There’s a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can even customize the wallpaper and change the display to Avionics, and switch the multi-meter view to Reliable, Adventurous, or Responsive.
Avionics shows vehicle info such as drive mode, steering input, coolant temp, tire pressures, and even brake pressure, ambient temp, and barometer. Meanwhile, the performance-oriented Reliable view shows steering angle, Active Yaw Control (AYC), and Traction Control, while off-road-oriented Adventurous displays altitude, tilt angle and compass. Everyday driving-oriented Responsive displays torque, acceleration and fuel economy (instant and average). And if you want to know how smooth you drive, the XFORCE’s Driving Score function displays your acceleration, steering, and braking scores.
4. It offers athleisure levels of comfort and versatility
The XFORCE’s spacious interior is designed with premium materials and finishes. For the GT variant, it has a dashboard panel with White Mélange Fabric with soft padding, while the cabin boasts upscale ambient lighting.
Front seats of all cars are almost always multi-adjustable, but the XFORCE goes a step further with its rear seats having an 8-step recline function. The GLS variant sports fabric seats, which are cool to the touch, especially on warm summer days. (reminds one of Airism).
Breathability is important in athletic apparel, and the XFORCE lives up to this with its Dual Zone Climate Control with Nanoe X technology, which purifies and deodorizes the air in the cabin.
5. It jams perfectly with your favorite playlist
You don’t hit the trail or the treadmill without your trusty earpods, right? Your playlist is the perfect accompaniment to any workout. The XFORCE is with you there, thanks to its stunning Dynamic Sound Yamaha Premium audio system. This 8-speaker system was expertly tuned by Yamaha Sound to deliver an in-depth and immersive auditory experience, transforming every drive into a mobile concert. It has four custom sound modes to suit your listening mood: Signature, Lively, Powerful and Relaxing.
6. It’s got a lot of space for you and your gear
The XFORCE is ideal for both daily drives and road trips with its smart storage spaces and charging solutions. Its center console box can keep up to four drinks cool during your drive. There are Type A and Type C USB ports front and rear, as well as an underseat tray and multiple pockets and storage areas. The GT variant adds a wireless charger.
For maximum storage capacity, the cargo space is dual level and the rear seats can be folded fully flat. And for ease of use, it has a hands-free power tailgate, with a memory function to save the preferred tailgate height opening (for the GT variant).
7. It protects you with world-class safety features
The XFORCE comes with an array of advanced safety features, ensuring peace of mind for all occupants. Features such as Active Yaw Control, Active Stability and Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, SRS Airbags (4 for GLS and 6 for GT), and Reverse Camera are all available in both variants.
Furthermore, Auto Lighting Control, Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Mitigation System (FCM), Blind Spot Warning System (BSW), Leading Car Departure Notification (LCDN), Automatic High Beam (AHB), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are available in the GT variant.
Whether driving to work or on your daily errands, embarking on a road trip with family, or overlanding with friends on a weekend, the XFORCE makes an exhilarating and capable companion. It’s easy on the budget, too, with a starting price of Php 1,367,000 for the GLS and Php 1,581,000 for the GT. Athleisure has never looked so good and been so easy to drive as the Mitsubishi XFORCE.
Photos by Mica de los Reyes
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