Mighty MPVs: Hyundai Stargazer vs. Toyota Avanza vs. Mitsubishi Xpander

Families seeking for a new vehicle have a lot of options today thanks to the all-new and updated MPVs offered by Toyota and Mitsubishi, the Avanza and Xpander, respectively. And today, adding to their already numerous choices is the Stargazer, which Hyundai has recently launched.

Styling

The Avanza is already a household name, and this latest version looks the most handsome one to date. For starters, the 2022 Toyota Avanza is grabbing the attention of families with its trapezoidal front grille and LED lights up front, side character lines, and LED tail lamps.

The Xpander is said to be a best-seller for Mitsubishi, and now benefits from styling updates as part of its mid-life refresh. The 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander gets subtle yet significant design tweaks such as a black grille, T-shaped headlights with LED DRLs and turn signals. The rear gets LED lights, too, along with a more chiseled bumper.

With the 2022 Hyundai Stargazer, Hyundai Motor Philippines, Inc. (HMPH) is ushering in a new era in the local MPV market with futuristic styling, advanced driver assistance systems, and superior spaciousness and comfort. The Stargazer’s styling is easily its most obvious highlight. Influenced by Hyundai's “pioneering spirit,” a horizontal LED strip that runs across the fascia, a single-curved silhouette, and H-signature taillamp completes the Stargazer's visual identity.

Convenience and safety features

The 2022 Toyota Avanza is fitted with an eight-inch audio display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and USB ports. For safety, apart from reversing camera and sensors, the Avanza adds more advanced kit such as Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Camera Traffic Alert, Vehicle Stability Control, and six airbags.

The interior of the 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander is largely similar to its pre-updated version, but with added gadgets such as a seven-inch infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto, digital LCD A/C panel up front, as a larger console with a 12V outlet and USB port. Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) and Brake Auto Hold (BAH), Active Stability Control (ASC), Hill Start Assist (HAS), and Traction Control (TCL), and rear cameras and sensors make up the safety kit.

A 4.2-inch TFT-LCD instrument cluster featuring a digital tachometer, speedometer, and fuel indicator is included with the 2022 Hyundai Stargazer. Additionally, the car has an eight-inch touchscreen display with wireless phone projection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six chargers, including a wireless power charger, are present, along with two device holders.

The Stargazer also comes standard with Hyundai SmartSense, the brand's driver assistance system that ensures passenger and pedestrian safety. Hyundai SmartSense includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) — among many others.

Interior flexibility

For the five other passengers, they'll appreciate the 2022 Toyota Avanza's interior highlight called the Long Sofa Mode. In this mode, the second-row seats fold to meet with the third-row's seat cushions to create, well, a sofa with a long seat cushion. When cargo needs to be prioritized over passengers, the Avanza's rear seats fold flush with the cargo floor to create a flat loading area.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander caters to the second- and third-row occupants with two rear USB ports, rear A/C dial and louver with inviting colors, and cup holders on the seat armrest. Multi-function seat-back pockets and third row power outlets add to the creature comforts. The 2022 Xpander two rear rows also fold flat for cargo.

Aside from generous amounts for passenger room, the 2022 Hyundai Stargazer offers loads of spaces for various objects — a total of 31 storage spaces are integrated onto the dashboard, center console, seats, and door trims. These include the ledge under the front air vents, a movable cup holder guide for different beverage container sizes, the front row seat back table and pockets, and the luggage board that can be opened to better organize trunk items.

Powertrain

Helping the 2022 Toyota Avanza transport families and cargo are a pair of newly developed 1.5- and 1.3-liter engines, with the former producing 106hp and 138Nm of torque and the latter packing 98hp and 122Nm. The upper two Avanza variants use a CVT, while the remaining two use a five-speed manual.

Amid all the exterior and interior changes, the 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander retains the running gear the model always had. That's a 1.5-liter 4A91 engine that makes 105hp and 141Nm of torque, and is mated to four-speed automatic transmission and five-speed manual options.

The 2022 Hyundai Stargazer is powered by a 1.5-liter Smartstream engine mated to Intelligent Variable Transmission (iVT). The engine, being Hyundai’s Smartstream unit, is the carmaker’s next-generation powertrain line created for improved airflow, effective combustion, and lower emissions that helps manage fuel consumption. It delivers 115ps of power and 144 Nm of torque, while the iVT is one of Hyundai's flagship proprietary technologies and is designed to shift gears more quickly and smoothly while achieving better fuel efficiency.

To view the specs of these practical and stylish family vehicles, the respective spec sheets of their top-of-the-line variants are available below.

SPECIFICATIONS	Hyundai Stargazer 1.5 GLS Premium IVT	Toyota Avanza 1.5 G CVT	Mitsubishi Xpander GLS 1.5G AT
Overall Length (mm)	4,460	4,395	4,595
Overall Width (mm)	1,780	1,730	1,750
Overall Height (mm)	1,695	1,700	1,750
Ground Clearance (mm)	185	190	225
Wheelbase (mm)	2,780	2,750	2,755
Seating Capacity	Seven	Seven	Seven
Engine Model	Smartstream G1.5	2NR-VE	4A91
Engine Type	Four-cylinder, Inline, 16-Valve Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC), with D-CVVT	Four-cylinder, Inline, 16-Valve Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC), with VVT-i	Four-cylinder, Inline, 16-Valve Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC), with MIVEC
Displacement (cc)	1,497	1,496	1,499
Maximum Power Output (ps/rpm)	115/6,300	106/6,000	105/6,000
Maximum Torque (Nm/rpm)	144/4,500	138/4,200	141/4,000
Transmission	IVT	CVT	4-Speed Automatic
Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Fuel Tank (L)	40	43	45
Curb Weight (kg)	N/A	1,140	1,260
Suspension	Front: MacPherson Strut  Rear: CBTA	Front: MacPherson Strut  Rear: Torsion Beam	Front: MacPherson Strut  Coil Spring with Stabilizer Rear: Torsion Beam
Brakes	Front: Ventilated Discs Rear: Drums	Front: Ventilated Discs Rear: Drums	Front: Ventilated Discs Rear: Drums
Tires and Wheels	16-Inch Alloy	195/60 R16 Alloy	205/55 R17 Alloy
Headlamps	LED	Split-Type LED	T-Shape
Daytime Running Lights	With	LED	LED
Front Fog Lamps	Bulb	With	With
Side Mirrors	Power Adjust and Auto Retract	Power Adjust and Auto Retract	Adjust and Auto Retract
Front Grille	Black and Chrome Coating	Material Black	Chrome
Panoramic Sunroof	Without	Without	Without
Power Tailgate	Without	Without	Without
Seat Material	Leatherette	Fabric Black and Brown Two Tone	Fabric Black
Seat Type and Adjustment	Driver: Manual Slide and Height Adjust Front Passenger: 4-Way Manual Second Row: 60:40 Split, Slide, and Recline Third Row: 50:50 Split Fold	Driver: 4-Way Manual Front Passenger: 4-Way Manual Second Row: 60:40 Split, Slide with Long Sofa Mode and Recline Third Row: 50:50 Tumble and Long Sofa Mode	Driver: 4-Way Manual Front Passenger: 4-Way Manual Second Row: 60:40 Split, Recline Third Row: 50:50 Tumble
Seat Back Table	With	Without	Without
Information Display	With	With	With
Steering Wheel Material	Urethane	Urethane	Leather
Shift Knob	Urethane With Sequential	Urethane With Sequential	Urethane
Steering Wheel Switch	Audio	Audio and MID	Audio
Sun Visors	With Passenger Mirror	With Passenger Mirror	With Passenger Mirror
Inside Door Handle	Metal Paint	Chrome	Chrome
Assist Grip	Front: One Rear: Two	Front: One Rear: Two	Front: Two Rear: Four
Door Trim	Silver	With Brown Accent	With Silver Accent
Glasses Case	With	With	With
Seat Back Pockets	Driver and Passenger	With	With
Deck Box	Without	With	Without
Front Personal Lamp	With	With	With
Room Lamp	With	With	With
Luggage Room Lamp	With	With	With
Keyless Entry	With	With	With
Push Start	With	With	With
Power Steering	With	With	With
Power Windows	Driver Window with Jam Protect	Driver Window with Jam Protect	Driver Window with Jam Protect
Power Door Locks	Speed-Sensing	Speed-Sensing	With
Air-conditioning System	Manual	Manual Digital	Manual
Audio Type	8-Inch Display Audio ,USB (Front x1, Rear x2) Bluetooth, Apple Carplay, Android Auto	8-Inch Display Audio ,USB, Bluetooth, Apple Carplay, Android Auto	7-Inch Touchscreen ,USB, Bluetooth, Apple Carplay, Android Auto
Wireless Charging	With	Without	Without
Speakers	Four + Two Tweeters	Four	Four + Two Tweeters
SRS Airbags	Driver,  Passenger, Side, Curtain	Driver,  Passenger, Side, Curtain Shield	Driver, Front Passenger
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)	With Brake Assist and  Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)	With Brake Assist and  Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)	With Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)	With	With	With
Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)	With	With	With
Seatbelts	Front: Three-point ELR with Pretensioner and Force Limiter (x2) Second Row: Three-point ELR (x3) Third Row: Three-point ELR (x2)	Front: Three-point ELR with Pretensioner and Force Limiter (x2) Second Row: Three-point ELR (x3) Third Row: Three-point ELR (x2)	Front: Three-point ELR with Pretensioner (x2) Second Row: Three-point ELR (x3) Third Row: Three-point ELR (x2)
Child Restraint System	Isofix and Tether Anchor	Isofix and Tether Anchor	Isofix and Tether Anchor
Emergency Brake Signal	With	With	With
Security System	With	Toyota Vehicle Security System (TVSS)	Immobilizer and Horn
Safety Support	Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Safe Exit Warning, Forward Collision Assist for Car and Pedestrian, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Manual Speed Limit Assist, Park Distance Warning, Rear View Monitor, Rear Seat Alert, Lane Following Assist	Reverse Camera and Clearance and Back Sonar, Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Without
Blind Spot Monitor	With	With	Without
Cruise Control	Without	Without	Without
Available Body Colors	Creamy White Pearl, Dragon Red Pearl, Midnight Black Pearl, Magnetic Silver Metallic	Greenish Gun Metal Mica Metallic, Silver Metallic 4, Black Metallic 1, Dark Red Mica Metallic	Blade Silver Metallic, Graphite Gray, Quartz White Pearl, Red Metallic
PRICE	P1.218 million (introductory price)	P1.059 million	P1.180 million

 

Photos from Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc., Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp., Toyota Motor Philippines, Roy Robles and Kent Flores