It was in May 2022 that Mitsubishi launched the updated Xpander in the Philippines. Its debut came with the question of when its Xpander Cross brethren will make its way to our shores, and now we can say that’s happening this month. Set on January 26, the brand’s sportier and higher-riding 7-seater will finally be revealed and launched.
2023 Xpander Cross set for PH debut before month’s end
Photo: Mitsubishi
Better late than never, right? The Xpander Cross was first released in Indonesia in August of last year. Being Mitsubishi’s better-selling model in the Philippines, many were left clamoring for the “beefed up” Xpander that is the Cross. Before the end of January, everyone will finally be able to see it in the metal. While no specifications were given by the manufacturer, we can look at the Indonesian release which may strongly be the basis of what we’ll get here.
Outside, aside from the increased ride height compared to the normal variant, the Xpander Cross retains the Dynamic Shield design of the front end. It also gets a front bumper design quite different from the non-Cross variant, and it will have new DRLs and still have the same T-Shaped headlights.
Photo: Mitsubishi
Black cladding and accent pieces also make their way to this iteration of the Xpander Cross. The new T-Shape design continues to the blacked-out taillights, and a set of new 17″ alloys also comprise the exterior differences. If anything, this is the variant to get if you want something that is not as subdued-looking as the normal Xpander.
Photo: Mitsubishi
On the inside, the new/updated dashboard, center stack, and center console make their way into the Xpander Cross. It also gets a chunky 4-spoke steering wheel reminiscent of its SUV brother, the Montero Sport. A digital gauge cluster was fitted onto the Indonesia-spec Xpander Cross but whether this nifty addition makes its way to the PH remains to be seen.
It’s still a 7-seater meant for carrying people or transporting cargo, and since it’s pretty much the same as the normal Xpander, you’ll still enjoy space aplenty with the Cross.
Photo: Mitsubishi
Yes, we did mention that no specifications were mentioned, but we’ll take a gander and guess that the same 1.5-liter gasoline MIVEC engine will power the Xpander Cross. What’s piqued our curiosity, though, is whether the Xpander Cross will be offered with a manual transmission alongside the 4-AT option as with the already-available model. Even more, will it feature a new CVT instead of the dated automatic transmission?
All eyes will be on Mitsubishi‘s newest release, and everyone including us is on the lookout for any more information that may come in. We won’t have to wait too long, though, and this is a pretty good way to kick off the new year if we do say so ourselves.
