Say hello to the 2024 Mitsubishi Xpander HEV, the new, hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) version of the brand’s popular MPV. This effectively makes it the segment’s first true hybrid since the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid is merely using a 12-volt mild hybrid system. This, of course, also applies to the new Xpander Cross as well.
Of course, the main draw of this article is the hybrid electric drivetrain of the 2024 Mitsubishi Xpander HEV. Dubbed as e:Motion, consists of a 1.6-liter MIVEC four-cylinder gasoline engine running on the Atkinson cycle for better thermal and fuel efficiency. This engine in itself produces 95 horsepower and 134 Nm of torque. The engine is then augmented by an electric motor with the battery located under the seats. As a result, the system output is 116 horsepower and a strong (best-in-class, even) 225 Nm of torque. This should make the Xpander HEV a very responsive and torquey vehicle especially during overtakes.
The e:Motion system is Mitsubishi’s own system from the ground up, and it’s based on the plug-in hybrid electric system (PHEV) of the Outlander PHEV. It is a series-parallel hybrid system that is similar to the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) and the Honda Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system. In operation, however, it is similar to the Honda i-MMD system since the e:Motion system can simply charge the battery (Figure 2) while the vehicle is in motion like the Nissan e-Power system. Due to Toyota’s planetary gear setup for its e-CVT, the engine is always connected to the wheels and never just charging the battery.
Mitsubishi didn’t just add a hybrid electric drivetrain into the Xpander and Xpander Cross HEV and left the rest of the vehicle unchanged. Sound absorbing and soundproofing materials have been added to key locations on the vehicle to keep the interior quiet not only during EV driving but also when the engine activates during acceleration or when driving at high speeds. Also, to accommodate the HEV system, the flooring of the engine compartment and around the battery has been changed. The battery has been enclosed by front side members and front crossmember for protection, resulting in the improvement of body rigidity. Finally, the suspension has also been tuned to take into account the altered weight and stability of the Xpander HEV.
More effort was also placed in making the 2024 Mitsubishi Xpander HEV models handle better. Formerly exclusive to the Xpander Cross, the Xpander HEV models now benefit from Active Yaw Control (AYC), which controls the braking force between the left and right front wheels. AYC also takes into account parameters with the traction, steering, and acceleration to adjust the vehicle’s trajectory for a more stable and engaging driving experience.
As for its design, don’t expect significant differences from the 2024 Mitsubishi Xpander HEV and Xpander Cross HEV from its non-hybrid counterparts. The vehicle design remains largely the same. Your only indicators that this is the HEV model are its blue accents on the lower portions of the body, while the wheels themselves have gained a single black spoke with a blue highlight as a subtle nod to its electrified drivetrain. Of course, the obligatory badging to highlight its electrified drivetrain is added onto the doors and the tailgate.
Moving inside the 2024 Mitsubishi Xpander HEV and Xpander Cross HEV, the overall design of the dash remains largely unchanged. Overseas models like in Thailand get a bigger 9-inch infotainment as opposed to the Philippine-spec units, while a new 8-inch digital gauge cluster is standard as well. Mitsubishi has also given the electrified Xpander models a new steering wheel from the new Triton, along with the electronic gear shifter from the Nissan Kicks e-Power. Lastly, there’s also an electronic parking brake with auto hold and the usual Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Xpander HEV and Xpander Cross HEV are now sold in Thailand where it made its global debut. Surprisingly Mitsubishi is pricing it alongside the non-hybrid Xpander models (at least as an introductory price), but eventually, it will come with a slight price premium. Expect a Philippine launch of the Xpander HEV models in late 2024 or early 2025.
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