Head to Head: 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander vs. 2023 Toyota Innova

 

The original Mitsubishi Xpander is regarded by many as one of the most outstanding MPVs in its class. The compact seven-seater gained immediate popularity after its premiere in 2017, not just in the nation but also throughout ASEAN. With its bold appearance and engaging driving qualities, the MPV is the vehicle that first revealed to the public that family cars don't always have to seem uninteresting.

Families require a car that is dependable, simple to maintain, effective, and loaded with modern technology. Oh, and it would be fantastic to have an extra row of seats. increased ground clearance? Please, yes. There is only one vehicle that, if you'll be entirely pragmatic about it, fits that description: the Toyota Innova. It might even be the most sensible car sold in this country right now.

The Toyota Innova and the Mitsubishi Xpander might be thought to be part of two different car segments. So why are we contrasting these two? They are both categorized as compact MPVs for sale, which may surprise you. Here is our comparison of the Mitsubishi Xpander and Toyota Innova.

Exterior

With the updated model, Mitsubishi kept with the "Dynamic Shield" grille, which now provides an unobstructed vision thanks to the license plate's relocation to the lower half. With the T-shaped LED headlights, the busier appearance has still given the 2023 Xpander a modern appearance in terms of both style and equipment.

The larger 17-inch wheels and the higher ride height, when viewed from the side, are likely what distinguish this new model from the pre-facelift vehicle. Its current ground clearance is 225mm.
New LED taillights with a smoked look on the lenses have been added to the rear end. The tailgate now has sharper creases and lines, and the vertically mounted reflectors on the edges give the rear bumpers a larger appearance.

The modest aesthetic changes made to the Innova in 2021 won't wow you. Having said that, the design is, to put it mildly, inoffensive. The facelift, however, has generated conflicting opinions. While some people favor the more straightforward nose of the pre-facelift model, others feel that the revised grille and bumper give the front end a little more attitude. No potential customers will be turned away by the adjustments. The shape is unmistakably that of an MPV, yet it also doesn't appear awkward or out of proportion. The outward alterations are barely noticeable, and the majority of the body is the same as the 2021 model.

Interior, Technology & Entertainment Features

Although Mitsubishi redesigned the dashboard, the design is still well-considered. With new soft-touch materials used on the door cards and center armrest, the revised model's dashboard was designed with cleaner lines and shapes which provided the interior a more sophisticated appearance. The A/C controls on the 2023 Xpander now use toggle switches rather than the knobs present in the model before the facelift. Functionality-wise, both are equally simple to use, and it appears like Mitsubishi merely made the change for a more unified appearance.

The infotainment system has seen the most significant modification, while the instrument cluster gets new graphics. The new device boasts better visuals and an updated user interface in addition to smartphone connectivity options like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The seats have larger bolsters than the previous model, in addition to a new stitch design, and second-row passengers now have cup holders on the center armrest.

The remainder, aside from that, has essentially been carried over from the model before the makeover, which is a positive thing. Mitsubishi actually didn't need to change much inside the 2023 Xpander as it is already such a well-thought-out inside, from the convenience of folding the seats to the abundance of cubby holes.

Toyota adhered to the maxim "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" for the inside as well as the exterior. The instrument panel, steering wheel, and door panels are all interchangeable. The dashboard resembles the pre-facelift version quite a bit as well. It's advantageous in certain ways. Those who switched from earlier models don't need to hunt out the owner's manual to get used to the Innova's superb ergonomics because they were there from the start. Each dial, button, and switch is arranged logically. The touchscreen audio system, which now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is the sole significant change here.

But, since we're talking about an MPV, the second and third row seating is the main topic of discussion. There is plenty of headroom and ample legroom in the middle row. If you require more space, you can also slide the chairs forward and back. It is not a problem to put three people across those seats because the 2023 Toyota Innova is spacious enough. It features a strong blower, which is essential in a vehicle this size, to keep everyone cool. There are also a ton of storage areas here. After all, this is a shuttle for families.

Safety

According to the carmaker, the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander is still the only vehicle in its class with cruise control, which helps drivers feel less fatigued on lengthy drives. Additionally, a reverse camera has been added to help improve vision while backing up. The shift panel now has the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) and Brake Auto Hold (BAH) buttons. The former allows for less effort when applying the brakes, which increases comfort, especially in traffic circumstances. The latter, when stationary, eliminates the need to press the pedal all the way down.

These are currently included as standard equipment for automatic transmission models of the 2023 Mitsubishi Xpander, together with Active Stability Control (ASC), Hill Start Assist (HAS), and Traction Control (TCL).

When it comes to safety features, the 2023 Toyota Innova has SRS airbags for the driver, the driver’s knees, front passenger, and on the side and curtain. The MPV comes with three-point emergency locking retractor (ELR) seatbelts and anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD). The Innova is also equipped with additional safety features such as vehicle stability control (VSC), hill-start assist control, reverse camera, and clearance and back sonars.

Maintaining its family-friendly reputation are child restraint system features like Isofix and tether anchors. The Innova also uses the Toyota Vehicle Security System (TVSS) to keep itself safe from burglars.

Power

A 1.5-liter MIVEC engine with 103 horsepower and 141Nm of torque is housed underneath the hood of the Mitsubishi Xpander. It continues to be a dependable power plant with exceptional fuel efficiency and strong performance. As before, the engine is mated to a four-speed automatic and five-speed manual transmissions.

Under the Innova’s hood is a 2.8-liter diesel engine that churns out a maximum power output of 174ps at 3,400 rpm and a maximum torque of 360Nm from 1,200 to 3,400rpm. It is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. You can choose between two drive modes: Eco and Power.

Specs comparison

SPECIFICATIONS	Mitsubishi Xpander GLS 1.5G AT	Toyota Innova V DSL AT
Overall Length (mm)	4,595	4,735
Overall Width (mm)	1,750	1,830
Overall Height (mm)	1,750	1,795
Seating Capacity	Seven	Seven
Engine Model	4A91	1GD-FTV
Engine Type	Four-cylinder, Inline, 16-Valve Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC), With MIVEC	Four-cylinder, Inline, 16-Valve Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC)
Displacement (cc)	1,499	2,755
Maximum Power Output (ps/rpm)	105/6,000	174/3,400
Maximum Torque (Nm/rpm)	141/4,200	360/1,200-3,400
Transmission	Four-speed Automatic Transmission	Six-speed Automatic Transmission
Suspension	Front: MacPherson Strut Coil Spring with Stabilizer Rear: Torsion Beam	Front: Independent, Double Wishbone with Coil Spring Rear: Four-link with Coil Spring
Brakes	Front: Ventilated Discs Rear: Leading-Trailing Drums	Front: Ventilated Discs Rear: Leading-Trailing Drum
Tires and Wheels	205/55 R17 Alloy	215/55 R17 Alloy
Headlamps	T-Shape	LED
Daytime Running Lights	LED	LED
Front Fog Lamps	With	LED
Front Grille	Chrome	Gray Metallic + Chrome
Back Door Handle Garnish	Chrome	Gloss Black
Seat Material	Fabric Black	Noble Brown Fabric
Seat Type and Adjustment	Driver: 4-Way Manual Front Passenger: Sliding, Reclining Second Row: 60:40 Split, Recline  Third Row: 50:50 Split, Tumble	Driver: Six-way Manual Adjust Front Passenger: Four-way Manual Adjust Second Row: Captain Seats, Slide, Recline, and One-touch Tumble Third Row: One-touch Easy Space Up
Economy Meter	With	Eco Lamp + Zone Display
Steering Wheel Material	Three-spoke Leather with Silver Accent	Leather + Wood
Steering Wheel Switch	Audio	Multi-information Display, Audio, Phone, and Voice Command
Sun Visors	With Mirror	With Mirror and Lamp
Inside Door Handle	Chrome	Chrome
Assist Grip	Front: One Rear: Two	Front: Two Rear: Four
Door Trim	With Silver Accent	Noble Brown Fabric
Glasses Case	With	Without
Seat Back Pockets	With	Without
Cool Box	Without	With
Front Personal Lamp	With	With Ambient Light
Room Lamp	With	With Ambient Light
Luggage Room Lamp	With	With
Keyless Entry	With	Smart Entry
Drive Mode Select	Without	Eco + Power
Power Steering	With	Without
Power Windows	Driver Window with Jam Protect	All – Auto Up/Down with Jam Protect
Power Door Locks	With	Speed-Sensing
Air-conditioning System	Automatic Digital, Dual	Automatic Climate Control
Audio Type	7-Inch Touchscreen ,USB, Bluetooth, Apple Carplay, Android Auto	Seven-inch Display Audio with Aux, USB, Bluetooth, Voice Command, Apple Carplay, Android Auto, and Smart Device Link (SDL)
Speakers	Four	Six
SRS Airbags	Driver and Passenger	Driver, Front Passenger, Side, Curtain Shield, and Driver’s Knee
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)	With Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)	With Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)	With	With
Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)	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 (x2) Second Row: Three-point ELR (x2) Third Row: Three-point ELR (x3)
Child Restraint System	Isofix and Tether Anchor	Isofix and Tether Anchor
Emergency Brake Signal	With	With
Toyota Vehicle Security System (TVSS)	Immobilizer and Horn	Immobilizer and Horn
Parking Support	Reversing Camera	Reverse Camera and Clearance and Back Sonar
Available Body Colors	Blade Silver Metallic, Graphite Gray, Quartz White Pearl, Red Metallic	White Pearl Crystal Shine, Alumina Jade Metallic, and Blackish Red Mica
PRICE	P1,198,000	P1,784,000 ( Alumina Jade Metallic and Blackish Red Mica)   P1,799,000 (White Pearl Crystal Shine)

 

Pricing

The Xpander is available in three variants and prices range from P1.068- to P1.198-million.

• Mitsubishi Xpander 1.5 GLX MT - P1,068,000.
• Mitsubishi Xpander 1.5 GLX AT - P1,128,000.
• Mitsubishi Xpander 1.5 GLS AT - P1,198,000.

There are nine variants of the Toyota Innova and prices start at P1.226-million and top out at P1.799-million.

• Toyota Innova 2.8 J Diesel MT - P1,226,000.
• Toyota Innova 2.8 E Diesel MT - P1,335,000 .
• Toyota Innova 2.8 E Diesel AT - P1,370,000.
• Toyota Innova 2.8 G Diesel MT - P1,567,000.
• Toyota Innova 2.8 G Diesel MT (White Pearl Crystal Shine) - P1,582,000.
• Toyota Innova 2.8 G Diesel AT - P1,637,000.
• Toyota Innova 2.8 G Diesel AT (White Pearl Crystal Shine) - P1,652,000.
• Toyota Innova 2.8 V Diesel AT - P1,784,000.
• Toyota Innova 2.8 V Diesel AT (White Pearl Crystal Shine) - P1,799,000

Which has more value for money?

The Xpander is more affordable than the Innova, because the former has a more compact size and gasoline engine. The Innova is praised by owners for its commanding size and diesel engine.

Verdict

Both MPVs cater to different needs. The Mitsubishi Xpander is the ideal choice for buyers seeking a compact and safe family vehicle, while the Toyota Innova is for those seeking a large vehicle with a fuel efficient diesel engine. With either of these two vehicles, you can’t go wrong.

Photos from Toyota Motor Philippines, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp., and Roy Robles