The Mitsubishi Xpander, needless to say, is one of the most sought-after models in the small MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) market. In Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation's lineup, the Xpander finished as the company's bestselling model with 11,342 units sold in 2021.

But this year, the small MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) market has been getting more competitive with more entries from various automakers. Nissan launched the Xpander's twin, the Livina, while Hyundai brought the Stargazer in. The country's leading car company, Toyota, even launched the next-generation iteration of the Avanza.

Indeed, the competition for the benchmark status is tighter entering 2023. I was given the keys to the flagship Mitsubishi Xpander GLS to see what the Japanese MPV can offer to Filipino car buyers.

Exterior-wise, the Mitsubishi Xpander comes with a more striking front end brought by its mid-cycle update earlier this year. Everywhere you look around the outside, the Xpander features sharp design details. This is also evident in the standard 17-inch two-tone alloys.

Just like the exterior, I liked the minor changes made in the interior. What I can say is that the cabin layout now looks way more modern thanks to the revamped dashboard, new toggle switches for the climate control paired with an LCD screen, and the seven-inch touchscreen (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto). It also has more paddings, which add premium touches to the finish.

Driving the Xpander is pretty much as straightforward as it gets — no drama and no flair. The 1.5-liter gas engine with 103 horsepower and 141N-m of torque felt just right for its heavy seven-seater body. In terms of NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness), I can say that it is adequate. But for me, the suspension can be slightly improved for comfort. After all, MPVs are made to be the go-to choice for Filipino families.

The feature that Mitsubishi might want to take into account is an Advanced Driver Assistance System, which is made available to the Xpander's new rival, the Hyundai Stargazer. As of this writing, an ADAS is still a unique equipment in the MPV market.

It would be interesting to find out how the new/reworked MPV models will battle it out in 2023. With the new arrivals, the Xpander now has serious competition since its arrival in the country last 2018. In my experience, the Xpander still has what it takes to show the newcomers how it's done.

If you think that the Xpander is the best bang-for-the-buck MPV right now, MMPC offers it with a price that ranges from P1,050,000 to P1,180,000.