Head to Head: Toyota Veloz vs Mitsubishi Xpander

The seven-seater offerings in the country are getting better. With models from different brands coming in left and right, options are abundant for many, even those with only over a million pesos to spare.

Two of the newer models trying to get a slice of the pie are the Toyota Veloz and Mitsubishi Xpander. Toyota's entry is a totally new one locally. It takes much from the Avanza and turns them into a sportier subcompact crossover ride. Meanwhile, the Xpander has become a staple in its segment, eventually becoming Mitsubishi Philippines' best-selling model. Now that the model has seen a refresh, is it still fair to call it the industry top dog? The Veloz would perhaps beg to differ, although it is slightly more expensive than the Xpander. 

Both models deserve mention when talking about seven-seater vehicles in the P1-million to P1.2-million range. It's proven a sweet spot for the Filipino buyer, so brands are diversifying their interests by releasing models that blur the line between SUVs, crossovers, and MPVs.

With the Xpander, it's a much more rudimentary expression, being an MPV from 2017. While one would think the rugged Xpander Cross would be a better comparison to the Veloz, we couldn't disagree. However, the Cross has yet to receive a similar refresh as the mainline model, so we believe the Xpander is still a strong rival given the recency of both vehicles. Besides, it's grown up now with a fine-tuned design that people seem to love. 

The Xpander's mid-2022 update saw it gain an Advanced Dynamic Shield front fascia replete with blacked-out elements. It also got a brand new T-shape LED headlight and combination taillight design. Mix it with the increased ground clearance and bolder 17-inch alloy wheels, and the Xpander is more SUV-like than ever before. 

The Veloz, on the other hand, is a subcompact crossover that is famously an offshoot of the Avanza range. It features a more adventurous exterior design, using angles and sharp curves to capture attention. At the front, it has split-type LED headlights with sequential turn signals. The sides get a commanding 17-inch wheels package and fender over flares that are Philippine-exclusive. Meanwhile, there are LED taillights with a horizontal light strip running the length of the rear. 

In terms of size, the Xpander is longer, but the Veloz is a little wider and much taller. Ground clearance for the new Xpander is 225 mm, whereas the Veloz sits lower at 190 mm. Both vehicles get power-folding side mirrors, but the Veloz takes things up a notch with welcome light functionality. Exterior-wise, we believe it comes down to preference. Although Xpander's design is enduring and now made better, Veloz's modern and sporty looks could attract a new group of buyers.

Winner: Tie

Inside is where you start to feel the difference between the Xpander and Veloz. The Xpander's cabin had been aging, though a new update swung it lightly into the modern era. Its horizontal dashboard layout is clean and efficient, and a change in materials gives it just a hint of premium. The Veloz continues its sporty theme with a two-tone interior and a well-executed design.

Mitsubishi adjusted the cabin for ergonomics, and it shows in the soft-touch elements and practical seats. The "captain-like" seating arrangement includes a 60:40-split second row with new cupholders on the center armrest. Of course, the third row still seats two, so the Xpander is a bonafide seven-seater. On the tech side, Mitsubishi gave the Xpander an updated standard infotainment system, an eight-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available in either a six-speaker or seven-speaker layout. Plus, there's a leather steering wheel, a new electronic parking brake, a rearview camera, and two USB ports for the middle row. Overall, the new Xpander's interior looks improved over the previous model, and it could be enough for many.

As for the Veloz, its interior exhibits the latest in Toyota's commercial design language. The two-tone cabin features plenty of soft-touch and leather-like material in different geometric shapes. It also boasts a leather steering wheel, ambient lighting, and automatic climate control. There's plenty of tech here, emphasized by the seven-inch fully digital instrument panel, followed by a nine-inch, six-speaker infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As we'll learn, the Veloz also packs many attractive technology-based safety features.

Winner: Toyota Veloz

The Mitsubishi Xpander has never been marketed as the safest vehicle, although it does plenty in that area. Its safety features include ABS with EBD, front disc brakes, two SRS airbags, a rear camera, hill start assist, Active Stability Control (ASC), and Traction Control (TCL).

Toyota went above and beyond with the Veloz's safety features, equipping it with Safety Sense in addition to other basic necessities. The Veloz features ABS with EBD, front and rear disc brakes, a rear parking sensor, a 360-degree camera, stability control, and traction control. Its advanced active safety tech suite includes features like hill start assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a pre-collision system, lane departure alert, and lead car departure notification.

In terms of safety, the Toyota Veloz is the clear winner. The addition of rear disc brakes, an around-view camera, and Toyota Safety Sense is simply too much for the Xpander to overcome. 

Winner: Toyota Veloz

While the Mitsubishi Xpander received an exterior and interior update in its latest refresh, the engine under the hood is unfortunately left unchanged. It's still a 1.5-liter inline-four MIVEC gasoline engine with 104 hp at 6,000 RPM and 141 Nm of torque at 4,000 RPM. The power plant connects to either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission.

Inside the Veloz is Toyota's 2NR-VE powertrain, a 1.5-liter inline-four gasoline engine with Dual VVT-i. It makes 106 hp at 6,000 RPM and 138 Nm of torque at 4,200 RPM. The only transmission option is a CVT.

So, both power plants are equally matched, with both coming close in power and torque figures, although the Xpander packs slightly more and slightly earlier pulling power. You get more choices with either a manual or automatic for the Xpander, but some might ultimately prefer the machine precision of a CVT. It's a tie again.

Winner: Tie

The discussion gets heated when we arrive at pricing. The Xpander is the more affordable of the two, starting at only P1,050,000 for the base model. Its top-spec GLS AT variant sets buyers back P1,180,000, or just under the starting price of the Veloz.

Toyota has set the pricing at P1,185,000 for the G model, with the higher V receiving a P1,240,000 sticker price. If you've been targeting the most expensive Xpander, you might want to look at the lower Veloz, as the latter has more standard features and a selection of more advanced tech features. Fans of the base Xpander may not want to spend almost an extra 200 grand for a Veloz, however. It's a matter of what you value as a buyer. If it's modern style and the latest tech, go with the Veloz, but we can't deny the Xpander still presents near-unbeatable value in its class and price point. 

Winner: Mitsubishi Xpander

There's no doubt that there are worthy players in the seven-seater small crossover/MPV segments. The Mitsubishi Xpander and Toyota Veloz are merely two of them, as there are several more looking to pull the rug from underneath these Japanese giants.

Still, these two models have shown us what they've got. The Xpander is shinier and more modern than before while keeping its more affordable price tag, while the Veloz is a new challenger with plenty to offer. As our comparison shows, both are good-looking vehicles, but Toyota's interior, tech, and safety prowess brings the Veloz on top. 

Winner: Toyota Veloz