PH-Bound Mitsubishi Xpander Cross Unveiled With Class-Leading Ground Clearance

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has pulled the wraps off the new Xpander Cross, which is a rugged version of its highly popular Xpander MPV. During Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation’s (MMPC) 700,00th unit production milestone ceremony, MMPC President and CEO Mutsuhiro Oshikiri officially confirmed that the Xpander’s rugged brother will be launched in the Philippines.

The Mitsubishi Xpander Cross is literally an Xpander with more a more rugged exterior design, though Mitsubishi’s designers have added a few unique details to set it apart from the standard Xpander. This includes a revised front fascia with new automatic LED headlight and foglight clusters, new 17-inch alloy wheels, black lower rear window garnish, roof rails, and satin silver faux skid plates. However, this is more than just an Xpander with hiking boots as Mitsubishi’s engineers have raised its ground clearance by 20 mm, now at 225 mm, which is the highest in its class and is at par with the Subaru Forester and PPVs.

The Xpander Cross’s interior design largely remains unchanged, though Mitsubishi has given it a more upscale two-tone leather interior and added a few more creature comforts such as a coming home/leaving home headlight function. Practicality remains to be the Xpander’s strength with a foldable rear armrest, partitioned rear seat pockets, as well as foldable second-row (60:40 split) and third-row (50:50 split) seats.

Under the hood of the Xpander Cross is the same 1.5 liter 4A91 MIVEC petrol engine, which gives a maximum output of 105 hp and 141 Nm, which powers the front wheels via a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. Mitsubishi claims that the Xpander Cross is the quietest in its class thanks to added high-performance sound insulation and vibration-absorbing materials.

As for safety, the Xpander Cross can be had with dual SRS airbags, emergency stop signal, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, reverse camera, and hill start assist.

The Mitsubishi Xpander Cross will first go on sale in Indonesia on November 13, 2019, and will be built at Mitsubishi’s Krama Yudha Indonesia’s facility in Cikarang, Indonesia alongside the existing Xpander.