2021 Mitsubishi Xpander | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

2021 Mitsubishi Xpander

In a market dominated by slab-sided family vans, the boldly designed Mitsubishi Xpander offers an interesting alternative. But, is the radical design made for a good family car?
2021 Mitsubishi Xpander

Wheels

Rahbar Al Haq
23 October, 2021, 02:30 pm
Last modified: 24 January, 2022, 12:37 pm

Related News

  • Top 4 brand-new MPVs in Bangladesh
  • Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Modern makeover, sporty handling
  • Mitsubishi brings the Outlander Sport to Bangladesh
  • Three Mitsubishi Cars to get this Eid
  • A rally icon and a street legend: The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

2021 Mitsubishi Xpander

In a market dominated by slab-sided family vans, the boldly designed Mitsubishi Xpander offers an interesting alternative. But, is the radical design made for a good family car?

Rahbar Al Haq
23 October, 2021, 02:30 pm
Last modified: 24 January, 2022, 12:37 pm

The market for seven-seat vehicles primarily falls into two categories. 

On one side, you have near eight-figure SUVs that are both expansive and impractical for city use, on the other you have repurposed panel vans with windows and seats bolted onto the cargo bay. Between the two, there lies a small selection of purpose-built family wagons that, for one reason or another, share the same slab-sided profile. 

Mitsubishi, nowadays best known for their no-nonsense practical cars, decided to change the formula with their boldly designed Xpander. But is the radical design made for a good family car? We took one out for a drive to find out.       

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

A divisive look 

Xpander looks somewhat like a small spacecraft with wheels stuck onto it. Photos: Saikat Roy/TBS
Xpander looks somewhat like a small spacecraft with wheels stuck onto it. Photos: Saikat Roy/TBS

Mitsubishi's new Wedge-y design language has certainly been polarizing, more so on the Xpander. With its inverted DRL and headlamps and large front wheel arches, the front fascia of this car looks different from everything else on the road. Opinions about the design have been split, with some in the Wheels team liking it and others do not. Personally, as a fan of science fiction, I quite like the design, as for me it looks somewhat like a small spacecraft with wheels stuck onto it. 

The side of the vehicle is much more conventional, the sharp 16-inch alloy wheels lifting the car a respectable 205mm off the ground.

The rear of the car features a pair of Pajero Sports inspired taillamps and the now near industry-standard "floating roof" design element on the D-pillar. 

Storage space, storage space, storage space

Compared to the exterior, the interior of the Xpander is very sensible and conventional, except maybe when it comes to storage space. A large family needs to keep a lot of stuff inside their vehicle, so the engineers at Mitsubishi made sure to make good use of every inch of available space. The dashboard alone contains eight different storage areas, while other interesting storage space includes a shoe tray under the front passenger seat and a storage tray under the rear trunk liner. That later however means the spare tire had to be relocated under the car,  with users needing to undo two bolts inside the trunk to access it.

For hauling oversized cargo, both the second and third-row seats can be folded down, resulting in a massive 1,608 litre of cargo space.

Speaking of seats, their fabric upholstery is reasonably comfortable and can be had with optional Xpander branded seat covers. The middle row is adjustable, and on top of it is a massive four vent adjustable ac unit to make sure the rear occupants receive plenty of cool air. Front and rear passengers get their own cupholders and there are three 12-volt sockets spread across the car for everyone's charging needs.

The 4.1-inch infotainment screen located on the front centre stack is small compared to many other contemporary options but supports Bluetooth and comes with a CD player, a rare feature in new cars. The system is connected to a 6-speaker audio system that, thanks to extensive sound-deadening, performs rather well. 

How does it drive?

The Xpander accelerates like pretty much any other car of its class, which is good since it is meant to move a large number of  — including elderly and young— people. The surprise lies in the handling.  

Mitsubishi takes great pride in Xpander's RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) structure, which gives the car a rigid chassis and a 4-star safety rating. Combine this with the car's MacPherson strut/Torsion beam suspension, the vehicle almost behaves like a subcompact sedan when driven reasonably. 

Seating on the driver's seat, the engineering reasoning behind the car's front design becomes clear as the extended A-Pillar greatly enhances front visibility and helps to give the interior a very open and spacious feel. That said, one annoying issue I discovered about the driving position is the lack of a centre armrest, which can become frustrating on long drives. 

Verdict

The Xpander is a decently equipped family wagon with an attention-grabbing front. If you're looking for a practical seven-seat family car with Japanese reliability that is also unmistakably unique, there are not many other options. It doesn't matter if the person in question is a petrolhead or a regular joe, the unique nose of the Xpander will cause most people to stop and think "what is that?" at least for a few seconds.

 

Features

Mitsubishi cars / Mitsubishi Motors / Rangs / reviews / xapnder

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    UK crime agency now freezes assets of ex-land minister Saifuzzaman: AJ
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus speaks at the Chatham House in London on 11 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    No desire to be part of next elected govt: CA Yunus
  • File photo of BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    Khasru flies to London ahead of Yunus-Tarique meeting

MOST VIEWED

  • Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS
    Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon
  • A file photo of Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur. Photo: Collected
    'I have no relation with this': Ahsan Mansur debunks Joy’s allegations over daughter’s Dubai flat
  • Faiz Ahmad Tayeb. Photo: BSS
    Import duty on raw materials for e-bikes, lithium batteries reduced from 80% to 1% in some cases: Faiz Taiyeb
  • File photo of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Photo: Collected
    Joy spends Eid with Hasina in India: Indian media
  • Mercantile Bank withholds dividend amid Tk1,700cr provision shortfall
    Mercantile Bank withholds dividend amid Tk1,700cr provision shortfall
  • Shakil Ahmed. Photo: Collected
    DU student allegedly hangs himself following threats over old derogatory comment about Prophet on Facebook

Related News

  • Top 4 brand-new MPVs in Bangladesh
  • Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Modern makeover, sporty handling
  • Mitsubishi brings the Outlander Sport to Bangladesh
  • Three Mitsubishi Cars to get this Eid
  • A rally icon and a street legend: The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Features

Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

6h | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

1d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

2d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

4d | Bangladesh

More Videos from TBS

Why is Omicron XBB more contagious?

Why is Omicron XBB more contagious?

2h | TBS Stories
What did Dr. Yunus say at the Chatham House Dialogue in London?

What did Dr. Yunus say at the Chatham House Dialogue in London?

3h | TBS Today
News of The Day, 11 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 11 JUNE 2025

5h | TBS News of the day
WB predicts worst decade for global growth since 60s

WB predicts worst decade for global growth since 60s

6h | TBS Stories
The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2025 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab