The new Mitsubishi Xpander Cross goes beyond its stilts

Ever since the new Mitsubishi Xpander arrived on our shores, people were patiently waiting for its gnarly brother, the Xpander Cross. No one can blame them since the aesthetic changes were tastefully done, there seems no way it won’t look good in a rugged package. Mitsubishi finally unveiled it in Indonesia late last year and now, it’s here in the Philippines.

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Just like before, the Xpander Cross builds on the design of the standard Xpander. It has the same T-shaped headlights and taillights, along with the boxy shape it’s known for. What’s distinct is the new 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels, and as expected – a body kit to give it more muscle. The front bumper now has square housing for the foglights while the rear has a different diffuser design from the previous iteration.

Before we dive too deep into the new Xpander Cross, we must get one thing out of the way. It has the same 225mm ground clearance as the standard Xpander. Gone are the days where it sits higher against the standard model which is one of its selling points. So with that, why would you want this new MPV? Well, Mitsubishi moved its perks elsewhere.

Most of the improvements went into the cabin of the Xpander Cross. For starters, the dashboard has a carbon accent instead of the brushed aluminum on the standard line. The upholstery is also a mix of dark blue and black, with a portion stated as ‘heat guard,’ probably a heat retention technology for the seats.

Biggest deviation in the Xpander Cross is infront of the driver. The steering wheel is now based on that of the Montero Sport, giving it a more robust look and the gauge cluster was also upgraded into an 8-inch digital screen. The ports, second-row armrest, center console, and even the electronic parking brake with auto brake hold are straight out of the standard Xpander.

A technology from the Lancer Evolution line also made its way into the Xpander Cross. It now has Active Yaw Control that controls the force distribution between the left and right wheels, thereby ensuring you have the best grip possible when tackling corners.

The Xpander Cross is still powered by the same 1.5-liter engine that makes 103 horsepower and 141 Nm of torque, paired to a 4-speed automatic. Some would be frustrated with the choice of transmission since in other countries, this already comes with a CVT. However, with my testing of the standard Xpander with the same powertrain setup, the difference in fuel efficiency is negligible and the responsiveness of the 4-speed auto is a lot better than the belt of the CVT. But then again, this is all subjective.

So, how much is this new rugged MPV from Mitsubishi? The Xpander Cross starts at P1,328,000 with additional premiums on two-tone colors and for the pearl white. I know, it’s a lot more expensive, but there’s nothing Mitsubishi can do in this economy. And while they have taken away the Cross’ advantage on ground clearance, they more than made up for it with its digital gauge cluster, new steering wheel, and AYC among others. It’s up to you if that’s enough of a barter in features.