Bangkok 2024: We get a closer look at Mitsubishi Xpander Cross HEV

At the start of February this year, Mitsubishi held the global debut of their electrified MPVs – the Xpander HEV and its SUV-styled twin, the Xpander Cross HEV. Utilizing a full hybrid system instead of a 48V mild hybrid, Mitsubishi’s electrified 7-seater MPVs are indeed one to watch out for.

Team AutoIndustriya.com is currently at the 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show, and it is here where we got a closer look at the Xpander Cross HEV before MMPC launches it by around 2025.

On the outside, there’s really no difference between the ICE-powered Xpander Cross and its HEV sibling except for the HEV badge seen on the front grille, the front doors, and the tailgate.

Inside, the Thai-spec Xpander Cross HEV gets a new 8-inch digital instrument cluster – a screen that it shares with the facelifted Montero Sport, as well as the upcoming XForce crossover. Furthermore, it gets a bigger 9-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment. There’s also a new shift-by-wire gear selector with a soapbox design, which looks quite similar to the Xpander’s alliance cousin, the Kicks e-Power. Elsewhere, the leather seats are finished in gray instead of the navy blue we have in the country.

Underneath the hood is what we were really looking forward to seeing, as the Xpander Cross HEV has the e:Motion powertrain. It consists of a 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated Atkinson cycle MIVEC engine assisted by an electric motor and battery pack. The e:Motion powertrain’s hybrid technology is derived from Mitsubishi’s PHEV powertrain found on models like the Outlander.

Mitsubishi says the newly developed engine is 10% more fuel efficient than the 1.5-liter unit found in the non-hybrid Xpander. And when paired to the hybrid system, the automaker says you get 34% more fuel efficiency in city driving and 15% more economical on the highway. It even comes with an electric water pump to minimize engine load and further improve its efficiency.

When it comes to power output, the new e:Motion powertrain puts out 115 PS. But more importantly, the torque significantly goes up to 255 Nm; this gives plenty of pulling power for the 7-seater MPV. It even has multiple drive mode functions that can enable you to drive on full EV power alone, or optimize the engine to charge the batteries.

As with the standard ICE Xpander Cross, the HEV model also gets Mitsubishi’s All Wheel Control technology which includes Active Yaw Control, Acceleration Control, and Steering Control.

The Mitsubishi Xpander Cross HEV retails for THB 946,000 in Thailand, which is around PHP 1.46 million in our currency. If MMPC manages to price the electrified 7-seater MPV similarly once they bring it to our country, then the Xpander Cross HEV could give a great value proposition once it arrives.