Four months after its global debut in Indonesia, the 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander facelift has now been unveiled in Thailand at the 2022 Bangkok International Motor Show.
Pricing and exact specifications for the updated seven-seater MPV has yet to be announced, but based on live photos from the event, it seems like the new Mitsubishi Xpander will retain most of the standard features introduced in Indonesia last year.
On the outside, the new 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander receives a redesigned front fascia featuring a new Dynamic Shield grille, new T-shaped headlights enclosure lower on the bumper, and a reworked front bumper with a cleaner yet more sophisticated look.
Round the back, the bumper has also been cleaned up, while the main LED tail lamp assemblies now features a new T-shaped light signature, joined by a new LED-illuminated third brake light positioned within the roof spoiler.
Aside from just aesthetic updates, the new Mitsubishi Xpander’s dimensions has also been tweaked slightly, with an increase of 75 mm on its front overhang and 45 mm at the rear, apparently for a more “high-class feel” per the Japanese carmaker.
The seven-seater MPV’s ride height has also been increased by 20 mm to give it better ground clearance, on the off chance you’re taking the Xpander to mild offroad terrains.
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Inside, the new Mitsubishi Xpander gets a reworked dashboard with a more horizontal layout, alongside a larger nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a new digital climate control panel, and the new electronic parking brake lever.
Based on photos of the show car at BIMS, it also seems like the Mitsubishi Xpander in Thailand will come with a black and brown leather upholstery, instead of the beige-coloured leather as seen on the Indonesian launch car.
However, the most important update on the 2022 Mitsubishi Xpander is actually underneath the hood. Gone is the old four-speed automatic, and in its place is a new and significantly more modern CVT gearbox – which, in addition to better fuel efficiency, also promises better comfort due to the lower engine noise (thanks to its lower running RPM at highway speeds).
The engine meanwhile is unchanged, with the 1.5-litre inline-four mill still dishing out 105 hp and 141 Nm of torque, although it has been fitted with a new external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system to further help with fuel efficiency.
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Again, no word on the pricing and availability just yet, although Thailand publications seem to expect a slight price bump, bringing it up to the region of THB799,000 (approx. RM100k).
Mitsubishi also says that it plans to roll out the new 2022 Xpander in other markets “centering on the ASEAN region”, although stopped short on providing a concrete timeframe.
