2026 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross

Old But (Still) Gold

Believe it or not, the Mitsubishi Xpander has been with us for over 7 years now. Granted, it’s starting to show its age, but the Japanese automaker has always kept it fresh and updated. Mitsubishi even followed it up with a dressed-up SUV look with the Xpander Cross, which made its Philippine debut in 2020. 

Mitsubishi has already confirmed that a next-generation model of the Xpander is on its way, which could be revealed sometime in 2026. But before launching the all-new MPV, the automaker has given its popular 7-seater MPV one last facelift.

Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corporation (MMPC) recently gave us the keys to the top-of-the-line Xpander Cross, which received a second update. Not only did it receive a mild refresh, but Mitsubishi also gave the MPV some key upgrades in amenities and safety features. But is the Xpander Cross still a must-have in this day & age, where electrified vehicles are becoming more popular? What does it have that continues to attract customers despite its age? And is it still worth the price tag Mitsubishi is asking for?

Let’s start with the most obvious first, the looks. Some might say the Xpander Cross only received minor updates on the exterior, but Mitsubishi gave it quite the nip & tuck. The grille gets a meaner and bolder look and is complemented by a gloss black finish. But it is perhaps the front bumper that immediately caught my attention. Its more rugged design gives it a bull bar-like appearance, giving it a more macho look.

Also worth mentioning are the stylish two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels. When I first saw them via pictures, I wasn’t too convinced by their Y-shaped design, but when I saw them in the metal, I grew to like them. Combined with the black body cladding and gloss black accents on the window panels and side mirror caps, they give the high-riding MPV a more assertive appearance.

The changes in the back are more subtle, as it only gets a slightly altered rear bumper with new reflectors. The LED taillights have been carried over, but since they still look good to begin with, I can understand why Mitsubishi didn’t bother to change them. Overall, I like what Mitsubishi did to give the MPV a fresher appearance. Yes, it’s due for a full model change, but props to the automaker for making what is technically an aging model a new lease on life.

If you thought the exterior was the only one to receive some changes, I’m happy to report that Mitsubishi was also busy giving the cabin some subtle (but important) upgrades. Those familiar with the XForce’s digital gauge cluster will be happy (or perhaps disappointed) that the MPV now comes with the 8-inch screen. Personally, I like the new digital instrument panel, although I do wish it had a round set of dials for the tachometer and speedometer, but maybe that’s just me being a nitpicker or preferring traditional round dials.

The new screen also has a meter that can display the Active Yaw Control (AYC) in action. Yes, the AYC feature derived from the Lancer Evolution is standard equipment in the Xpander Cross. Just like the rally-bred Evo, the AYC helps improve handling and stability through slippery or curved roads. While it may be odd to put such a feature in an MPV like the Xpander Cross, it does make for a safer driving and riding experience since it can automatically adjust the braking force to the wheels to minimize understeer to make cornering better, which we’ll talk about later.

Perhaps my new favorite feature inside the Xpander Cross is the 10-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Not only does it have a bigger screen, but it also supports wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, which is always a great feature to have. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a wireless charging pad, but it does come with a host of charging ports and a 12V socket for faster recharging. As before, the front passenger seat has a hidden storage area below, which can hold shoes or other smaller items away from prying eyes. Drivers going on a long road trip will also appreciate the center armrest, which I made full use of when I had the MPV.

Those who wish for better outside visibility will be glad to know that Mitsubishi installed a 360-degree camera system for the updated Xpander Cross. Since other brands started offering them as standard, the automaker decided to make them available for the MPV. It has various camera modes and viewpoints to help drivers see better while parking the vehicle or navigating through narrow pathways.

Since this is a three-row MPV, I decided to check just how much space there is in the very back. I’m happy to say that there is enough space in the third row for a full-sized adult. I’m not exactly tall (standing at around 5 feet, 7 inches), but there is just enough headroom for my height. There is also legroom since the second-row seats can be slid forward to provide extra space. Last but not least, the backrests can be reclined to give a more relaxing ride. There’s also a 12V socket in the back with cupholders for good measure.

Overall, I have to say that the changes Mitsubishi made in the interior are great. Sure, they may not have reinvented the cabin, but they didn’t need to in the first place. They gave it more features while still giving passengers plenty of cabin space and cargo room.

Under the hood is the ever-reliable 1.5L 4A91 naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with MIVEC. Like the 2023 facelift, the engine continues to put out 105 PS and 141 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic gearbox. It may not have the most high-tech engine, but in this case, it doesn’t have to be.

While the inline-four lacks the grunt of a turbocharged engine or the instant torque of a hybrid or EV, the 1.5L engine has proven its worth when it comes to reliability and durability as a daily. Sure, it’s only naturally aspirated, but the MIVEC system does work when you need that extra acceleration.

The four-speed automatic is smooth and feels familiar. It’s not the most cutting-edge gearbox, but for an MPV such as the Xpander Cross, it’s more than sufficient to deliver power to the pavement and can still "kickdown" when you need to go faster.

Some might say the 1.5L engine feels underpowered, and my say to that is to learn to manage one’s expectations. With only 1499cc of displacement to play with, you have to learn where the power band is and make full use of it when you have plenty of passengers or luggage onboard. If you’re coming up a steep hill or road, better build up momentum to help you go over that hill quicker without a hitch, or turn off overdrive to allow the engine to rev up to make more pulling power.

When it comes to fuel consumption, the Xpander Cross can do up to 8.3 km/L in light city driving, although I was able to make it average up to 8.5 km/L under the best conditions. Out on the highway, the MPV was able to return between 14 to 15 km/L. Not bad, but with only four gears to play with, that is to be expected. Still, I was able to make the high-riding MPV average up to 16 km/L with some hypermiling techniques while on the open road.

If there’s one thing I really like about the Xpander Cross, it’s the ride quality. It may already be up there in terms of years, but this MPV still has one of the softest rides in its class. Perhaps the only other MPV that delivers almost similar levels of comfort is the Hyundai Stargazer/Stargazer X. Whether you’re seated in the front or in the (very) back, the Xpander Cross rewards the driver and passengers with a comfy ride, no matter if you have to deal with potholes, pockmarked streets, or rough roads.

Handling may not exactly be its greatest forte, but the Xpander Cross does come with light steering. This allows the driver to easily make maneuvers with ease. The steering wheel of the Xpander Cross also delivers plenty of road feedback, which allows drivers to know what the wheels are doing and where they are. The AYC I mentioned earlier also helped in delivering a safer drive every time you’re on the road. Some enthusiasts may still find it odd that’s on the Xpander Cross, but think of AYC serving to give you and your family more peace of mind when you’re navigating through slippery or wet road conditions.

The 2026 Mitsubishi Xpander Cross is proof that while it’s getting up there in years, it can still learn new tricks and demonstrates the ability of an automaker to introduce small but important changes without having to build a completely new vehicle. By giving it more amenities, better road-holding ability, and giving it a comfier ride through each update, the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross was able to build itself a reputation that precedes it, complete with the signature three-diamond logo.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle the 2026 Xpander Cross will need to contend with is inflation. Yes, it’s a proven nameplate with proven technologies, but with a price tag of PHP 1,378,000, it’s already competing with more affordable Chinese alternatives. Heck, there are already affordable plug-in hybrids that are priced significantly less but are packed with more features.

We’re still keeping our fingers crossed Mitsubishi finds a way to bring the Xpander (and XForce) HEV models into the country before it’s too late. But for those who want an honest-to-goodness MPV that looks like an SUV, the 2026 Xpander Cross can deliver, and then some.