2024 Mitsubishi Xpander facelift vs 2020 original – new looks, interior, features; still starts from RM100k

It’s been a long time coming, but the facelifted Mitsubishi Xpander has finally made its way to Malaysia. It was launched here a couple of weeks ago, but a recent media drive gave us an opportunity to pit the updated MPV against to the original, introduced back in 2020.

We’ve seen lots of comments about the price of the new model, but we should point out that the outgoing Xpander went through several price increases in the intervening years, and at last count it retailed at RM100,980. As such, the facelifted car’s price is actually lower than before, at RM99,980 for the base model and RM109,980 for the new, higher-specced Plus – with revised looks and a new interior to boot.

Four years have past since the Xpander was launched in Malaysia, and it certainly looks it – we were wowed at first with its bold Dynamic Shield face, but familiarity and a lack of visual updates meant the car looked a fairly tired as 2024 rolled along. The facelift has redressed the balance – and how.

It’s hard to overstate just how modern the new front end – which borrows cues from the Outlander – makes the Xpander look. The wider all-black grille is sleeker and, when combined with the new five-segment LED upper daytime running lights, gives the car a cleaner aesthetic. You also get thicker Dynamic Shield chrome bars, striking T-shaped LED headlights (now with projectors) and a redesigned fog light/air intake assembly.

Also simplified in design are the two-tone turbine-style alloy wheels, and if you thought they look larger than the old 16-inch rollers, that’s because they are – they now measure 17 inches in diameter. Around the back, the taillights are now LEDs with a light signature that mirror the T shape of the headlights.

These lamps extend further into the tailgate and have actually necessitated the creation of new sheetmetal and rear windscreen to accommodate this. The redesigned tailgate has fewer shut lines, again making for a cleaner look. Below this sits a more angular rear bumper design with vertical reflectors and a larger decorative skid plate, while the Plus model’s sizeable roof spoiler is mounted up top.

The wholesale redesign continues on the inside, where the Xpander receives a whole new dashboard, ditching the old car’s odd curved design for a horizontal one. With the new two-tone maroon colour scheme, the car now looks more upscale, plus you now get faux leather seats in the um, Plus.

In terms of tech, you still get a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen, but this is now an OEM system as Mitsubishi’s regional arm has caught up with Malaysia. It’s functionally the same however – it still comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and pipes music through six unchanged speakers.

Also revised is the centre console, which now incorporates automatic air con with digital controls and an electronic parking brake. The latter frees up space for a new centre armrest with built-in storage and tissue box holder, with a corresponding armrest with twin cupholders now also found on the second row. Last but not least, the new steering wheel has a circular airbag boss, bringing to mind the Lancer Evolution X.

Otherwise, standard kit is unchanged and includes keyless entry, push-button start, a 4.2-inch multi-info display, auto lights and wipers, a rear air recirculator with built-in vents and a reverse camera. The Plus adds a new 360-degree camera system and Qi wireless charger, front and rear dash cams and side sill scuff plates. Unfortunately, the Xpander still only gets dual airbags and stability control, with no driver assists to speak off – inexcusable at this price and in this age.

The Xpander retains its practical nature, which is one of the reasons why it’s the best-selling non-national MPV. You get a one-touch tumble fold function on the second-row seats to gain access to the third row, plus a decent 495 litre boot with the third row stowed. Fold down the second row and luggage room grows to 837 litres, and there’s also handy underfloor storage with a separator.

No change to the engine – a 4A91 1.5 litre MIVEC naturally-aspirated petrol four-cylinder producing 105 PS at 6,000 rpm and 141 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox. We don’t get a CVT like other markets do, with Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) citing reliability and immediate response as reasons for sticking with a slushbox, although the new stepless transmission is being considered for the future.

There have been a few tweaks made under the skin, however. The retuned suspension not only bumps the ground clearance up by 20 mm to 225 mm, but the larger rear dampers are also claimed to improve ride comfort. A revamped NVH package that includes increased sound insulation should also result in markedly better refinement.

GALLERY: 2024 Mitsubishi Xpander Plus facelift

GALLERY: 2020 Mitsubishi Xpander

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