2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross to arrive in PH on January 26

The year has just started and like last year, first to announce a new car launch is Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC). This time, the Japanese automaker will be introducing the facelifted version of its SUV-like MPV, the Xpander Cross, on January 26, 2023.

Revealed by Mitsubishi Motors Indonesia last August at the 29th Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), the introduction of the updated Mitsubishi Xpander Cross is a follow up to the refreshed Xpander which was launched locally in May last year.

Looking at the exterior, the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross receives a similar facelift treatment as that of the regular Xpander. First is the latest iteration of Mitsubishi’s dynamic shield front fascia with a slight revision for the Cross. It also gets a new and beefier front bumper with new rectangular fog lights. Other than that, it also gets the regular Xpander’s split T-shaped LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. On the side, the 2023 Xpander Cross gets new 17-inch alloy wheels and fender flares. Meanwhile, the rear gets the standard Xpander’s new LED taillights as well as a new bumper design. Ground clearance is pegged at 220 mm.

Inside, the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross gets the same new interior of the regular Xpander. What sets it apart though is the steering wheel and 8-inch digital instrument cluster which appear to have been lifted off the Montero Sport, as well as a wireless phone charger. It also gets a light blue interior color scheme as opposed to the brown on the standard Xpander. For infotainment, it gets a 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Hopefully we see all these in the local version once it’s launched.

Under the hood, the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross keeps the pre-refresh version’s powertrain. That is a 1.5-liter 4A91 Inline 4-cylinder MIVEC petrol engine that produces 105 horsepower and 141 Nm of torque. While the Indonesian-spec Xpander Cross gets a CVT, there is a high chance that the local version will still get a 4-speed automatic transmission like the regular Xpander.

In terms of safety, the updated Xpander Cross receives new Active Yaw Control (AYC). This is on top of other safety equipment such as anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA), dual front airbags, hill start assist (HSA), and active stability control (ASC). It also gets a 360-degree around-view monitor.

The Philippine launch of the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross is set to happen on January 26, 2023. Until then, we’ll have to wait for official specifications and pricing. We are hopeful though that what we can see in the Indonesian version will come to us as well.