It looks like the three-row MPV segment is heating up. Mitsubishi recently unveiled the refreshed version of its popular Xpander, and Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) launched the all-new version of its Avanza. This time, Toyota has introduced the all-new Veloz, the Avanza’s more stylish sibling. While it’s technically a crossoverized MPV, Toyota calls it a subcompact SUV in our market. Mitsubishi, on the other hand, has upgraded the Xpander lineup and made it more crossover-like. Interestingly, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines (MMPC) still calls it an MPV.
For this spec-sheet brawl, we’ll be pitting the Veloz 1.5 G CVT and the Xpander GLS AT. The upgraded styling of the Veloz has made it a tad longer than its Avanza sibling, but at 4,475mm, it is still 120mm shorter than the Xpander. Thanks to Toyota’s wheel arch cladding, the Veloz is also 25mm wider than the Mitsubishi. Despite the Veloz’s subcompact SUV classification, its 190mm ground clearance is 35mm less than the Xpander MPV. As expected, both family wagons offer seating for up to seven with a 2+3+2 configuration.
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In the safety department, the Veloz comes with dual front, side, and curtain airbags. The Xpander, on the other hand, is only available with dual front airbags. Both vehicles come with ABS, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, Isofix child seat anchors, and a rear camera. The Toyota is equipped with rear parking sensors.
Both front-wheel drive seven-seater vehicles are powered by 1.5-liter naturally aspirated in-line-four gasoline mills. The Veloz’s engine puts out 105hp and 138Nm of torque, while the Xpander’s powerplant produces 103hp and 141Nm of torque. The Toyota comes with a continuously variable transmission, while the Mitsubishi gets a more traditional four-speed automatic transmission.
The suspension layout between the two family wagons is quite similar. Both employ independent MacPherson struts up front and a compact torsion beam setup at the rear. The Veloz features disc brakes on all corners, while the Xpander sticks with the front disc and rear drum brake combination.
How much do they cost? The Veloz 1.5 G CVT carries a P1,185,000 tag, while the Xpander GLS AT comes in at P25,000 less with a sticker price of P1,160,000. Unlike the Mitsubishi, the Veloz is available with an even higher P1.225 million V trim, which has additional features like the carmaker’s Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety tech.
Check out the table below and let us know in the comments which of these small seven-seater family haulers you’d go for.
Toyota Veloz 1.5 G CVT |
Mitsubishi Xpander GLS AT |
|
| Price (Philippine Peso) | 1,185,000 | 1,160,000 |
| Drive | FWD | FWD |
| Seating capacity | 7 | 7 |
| Engine Type | 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline | 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline |
| Power | 105 | 103 |
| Torque | 138 | 141 |
| Fuel tank capacity (liters) | 43 | 45 |
| Transmission | continuously variable transmission | 4-sped automatic transmission |
| Brakes (Front/Rear) | disc/ disc | disc/ drum |
| Wheels | 17-inch alloy | 17-inch alloy |
| Tires | 205/50R17 | 205/55R17 |
| Front suspension | independent MacPherson strut | independent MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension | torsion beam | torsion beam |
| Seat material | fabric + synthetic leather | fabric |
| Infotainment system | 8-inch touchscreen, 6 speakers | 7-inch touchscreen, 6 speakers |
| Apple CarPlay/Android Auto | yes/yes | yes/yes |
| Airbags | 6 | 2 |
| ABS w/ electronic brakeforce distribution | yes | yes |
| Electronic Stability Control | yes | yes |
| Hill-start Assist | yes | yes |
| Rear Camera | yes | yes |
| Rear Parking Sensors | yes | no |
| Isofix | yes | yes |
| Dimensions (mm) | 4,475 x 1,775 x 1,700 | 4,595 x 1,750 x 1,750 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 190 | 225 |
