GHK, the sole distributor of Mitsubishi recently treated media representatives to be behind the wheel of the recently launched all-new Mitsubishi Expander Cross to get a full taste of its performance.
The Xpander Cross comes with refreshed and robust exterior and interior details, enhanced tech features and improved driving performance.
The MPV is known for its family-friendly crossover built with the capability to carry seven people comfortably on the road, also best-in-class interior space and a layout that lets passengers easily enter and exit.
The Xpander Cross is a top lineup of the Xpander series. Developed in the pursuit of customer needs, the Xpander series has gained popularity in the ASEAN and other regions around the globe such as Middle-East, Latin America and Africa, and has grown to become one of the most important models for Mitsubishi Motors.
Image: Nurhana Diah
A robust design philosophy
The most significant change in the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross comes on the outside as the exterior enhancements give the MPV a lot more character.
The Xpander Cross has a polarising design that captivates the public with a unique signature Dynamic Shield design philosophy combining a large grille with a trapezoid motif and a guard-bar-shaped bumper expressing power and reassurance.
The front fascia also features a pair of T-shaped headlamps and a pair of elongated LED daytime running lamps giving its profile a more futuristic and sleek look. The Headlamp is also equipped with halogen lights and foglights on the bottom.
At the rear, it features a revised new-generation light shape and a horizontally styled rear bumper. Not only that, but it also sports a combination of rear lamps that echo the design of its headlamp giving it a more wider and stable appearance.
Image: Nurhana Diah
The 17-inch round-rim alloy wheels feature a machine-finished two-tone design in medium gray. Coordinated with the gray paint on the front and rear skid plates and door garnishes, the wheels create a three-dimensional look to express the sporty and powerful feeling of an SUV. In addition, the roof rails are colored black pearl to sharpen the overall appearance.
Moreover, the refreshed Xpander is slightly bigger than its predecessor with an overall length of 4,595mm, a width of 1790mm, and a height of 1,750mm.
The Xpander Cross is available with the new Green Bronze Metallic body colour, the refreshed MPV is also available in Quartz White Pearl, Blade Silver Metallic, Graphite Gray Metallic, Sunrise Orange and Jet Black Mica.
Versatile and comfortable inside
On the inside, the MPV has supportive seven seats that boast quality and refined material that offers support and a wide range of adjustability and flexibility – all contributing to comfortable driving pleasure.
The seats on refreshed Xpander Cross are equipped with high-grade fabric and redesigned with a new pattern of diamonds.
The MPV offers the highest level of flexibility and even more space for both driver and passenger with a 60:40 split and the third row with a 50:50 split to expand the bigger space of cargo.
Image: Nurhana Diah
The refreshed MPV also provides excellent passenger convenience and a large cargo space thanks to its optimised interior space design.
The seven-seater is paired with a larger body to maximise cargo and luggage space — enough to hold four gallons of water bottles or a standard stroller.
Not only that, but the Xpander Cross can occupy up to 1,630L of luggage space when second and third-row seats are folded. For an even more comfortable interior, the convenient storage space is further enhanced for greater ease of use.
In addition to that, there are a total of three 12V power outlets, one in each row, are provided so every passenger can charge their smartphone or other devices for convenience.
On the entertainment side, the Japanese brand has replaced the seven-inch display with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Not only that, the new steering is adopted from Mitsubishi Pajero Sport which provides the driver to manage functions of cruise control, an audio button, hands-free Bluetooth and a digital LCD meter.
Image: Nurhana Diah
Safety and Performance
The new Xpander Cross adopts Mitsubishi Motors’ AYC (Active Yaw Control), which improves cornering performance by adjusting the braking force on the front wheels.
Information such as steering angle, yaw rate, lateral and longitudinal G-forces, brake pressure, and wheel speed is used to accurately assess driver operation and vehicle behavior, and brake control is applied to perform torque vectoring between the front wheels, ensuring that the vehicle responds as the driver intends.
In terms of safety features, the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross impresses with its wide range of innovative safety features, which includes Dual Airbags for driver and passenger, reverse camera ISOfix system for child protection, EBD, Hill start assist, Emergency Stop signal, anti-theft engine immobiliser, anti-theft alarm system, Automatic transmission shift lock, Key system reminder and many more.
Under the hood, the MPV is powered by a 1.5L with advanced MIVEC (Mitsubishi Intelligent & Innovative Valve timing & lift Electronic control system) engine with 4- Automatic speed transmission, which has enhanced quietness and fuel efficiency.
Image: Nurhana Diah
Image: Nurhana Diah
Driving the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross
The Bruneian team recently tested out the Xpander Cross for its full potential and prowess starting from Mulia Hotel to the Anggerek Desa area.
Driving on a range of roads from highways to challenging roads around the stadium area, the Xpander Cross feels smooth when cruising.
The 7-seater boasts optimal road performance and road-holding capabilities throughout the drive. It was perfectly stable and planted to the ground which inspired confidence from behind the wheel.
Another highlight was how the good steering felt during the corners and tight bends around the curvy roads of Jln Stadium. Its light steering and good feedback were easy to manouevre.
Image: Nurhana Diah
It was on the long winding road of the Berakas highway where we got to test out the true prowess of the 1.5-litre MIVEC engine.
Through this, The Xpander Cross features a wide range of advanced technologies and safety features for a safer and more confident drive.
Overall, the refreshed Mitsubishi Xpander Cross ticks all the right boxes for a functional family-friendly MPV.
In addition, Customers are also entitled to the GHK Raya Rewards promotion where any customer who purchases any Mitsubishi models including the new Xpander Cross is entitled to a lucky draw Duit Raya. The promotion ends on 31 May 2023.
For more information, visit the GHK showroom in Beribi to book a test drive with the latest Mitsubishi Xpander Cross, or follow them on Instagram @mitsubishimotors_brunei.
Image: Nurhana Diah
Image: Nurhana Diah
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
