New Mitsubishi Xpander HEV And Xpander Cross HEV Set For Thailand Debut On Feb 1

Teaser image of the upcoming Mitsubishi Xpander HEV and Xpander Cross HEV that will debut in Thailand next week.

Mitsubishi is set to see its refreshed Xpander MPV line-up Xpanded – all puns intended – come Feb 1 with two new electrified additions. The Japanese marque’s Thailand arm took to Facebook this week to tease the two new model variants and confirmed its launch date as well.

A week from now, both the new Xpander HEV and Xpander Cross HEV will make their global debuts in the Kingdom just north of our Peninsula’s border. The ‘HEV’ suffix ought to tell you that these people-moving duo will likely adopt a series-parallel hybrid setups under their hoods.

Exact details of the HEV powertrains weren’t disclosed, but given the naming suffix chosen, we are certain the Japanese tri-diamond marque isn’t employing a plug-in hybrid setup as see in the Outlander – said model specifically carries the ‘Plug-in Hybrid EV’ badge and suffix.

Both new variants will be based on the recently face-lifted Xpander and Xpander Cross models that are now on sale in Thailand. The silhouette seen in the teaser however do suggest both their profiles will feature a number of blue-hued highlights and accents with their exteriors.

Recently refreshed Xpander (left) and Xpander Cross (right) models that Mitsubishi currently offers in Thailand.

Like their non-hybrid version, we can expect the Xpander Cross HEV to stand as the more rugged-looking choice of the duo. Both however will come as part of Mitsubishi’s efforts towards having electrified vehicles as such account for half of its vehicle sales by 2030.

In  a market like Thailand where hybrids as such benefit with plenty of incentives, the Xpander should get a leg up against rivals there like the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid.

Both the new HEV models debuting next week should retain similar cabins as their non-hybrid counterparts pictured, which features up to three rows of seats.

Moreover, sources online report that both the Xpander HEV and Xpander Cross HEV will be made in Thailand and exported to other key markets in the ASEAN region. However, both model’s introduction into the local Malaysian market remains to be seen still.

At present, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) only offer the regular Xpander model that’s currently priced at RM100,980. The brand’s other model on sale next to it is, of course, its staple Triton 4x4 pick-up truck that’s also set to see an all-new replacement arrive this year.