Since everything has to be an SUV today in one way or another, the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross is a high-riding minivan with a rather tough look. It was launched less than three years ago and is already getting a facelift. Let us not forget that Mitsu has a long history of tough people driving as the Delica has been around for decades, complete with all-wheel drive whereas it sends power only to the front axle.
The facelift introduced today brings a few changes, but the van on stage looks just as polarizing as ever. Unveiled at the 2022 Indonesia International Auto Show and already on sale, the Xpander Cross has a redesigned front fascia with new headlights that continue to have a split setup but with a T-shaped layout. The turn signals have been moved in the upper cluster to make it more visible while the hood now thicker than before.
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Dressed in the new Green Bronze Metallic paint, this half minivan, half facelifted crossover features front and rear overhangs that span a total of 95 millimeters (3.7 inches). The new (and still quite small) 17-inch alloy wheels have a two-tone look with matching gray accents with the front and rear skid plates and door trim. The “T” motif that we see on the front is visible on the back of the updated taillights, making the Xpander Cross look more modern.
With a minimum ground clearance of 220 millimeters (8.6 inches), the family carrier should be able to easily handle bumpy roads, but keep in mind this is not an off-roader. With a mid-cycle refresh, it gets Mitsubishi’s proprietary Active Yaw Control (YAC), but definitely not the active rear differential like you get on the Evo. Instead, it applies braking force to the front wheels to improve cornering, based on steering angle, brake pressure, longitudinal G force, yaw rate, and wheel speed.
Changes were also made on the inside where the Xpander Cross 2023 gets an electric parking brake, a digital instrument cluster, and a larger touchscreen now measuring eight inches. The old climate control knobs have given way to the screen while a wireless charging pad has been added as well. Shown here is a version with a CVT, but the model is also offered with a five-speed manual gearbox. Equipped with a clutch pedal, this model has a slightly higher ground clearance of 225 mm (8.8 in).
Power is provided by a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter petrol engine with 103 hp (77 kW) and 141 Nm (104 lb-ft) of torque, so this is definitely not the fastest van out there. However, it’s a great choice for families looking to buy a versatile and affordable vehicle with three rows of seating, as long as they don’t mind the front design…
