[ĐÁNH GIÁ XE] Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Veloz: extremely fierce competition

Entering 2022, the MPV segment welcomes an extremely attractive rookie – Toyota Veloz; while Mitsubishi also quickly updated the facelift version for Xpander after 3 extremely successful years of business. These two “rivals” car models will be the main characters in the competition to be the king of the low-cost 7-seat segment in the Vietnamese market.

Youthful – modern exterior design

Considering the overall size parameters, Mitsubishi Xpander clearly has an advantage over its opponents Toyota Veloz (LxWxH: 4,595 x 1,750 x 1,750mm; wheelbase: 2,775mm and ground clearance 225mm compared to 4,475 x 1,750 x 1,700mm; wheelbase: 2,750mm and ground clearance 205mm).

While the Veloz has an elongated, low-slung body in the typical design of MPV models on the market, in the 2022 update, the Xpander has been upgraded to a tall and healthy body approaching SUV models. The new Xpander’s ground clearance even surpasses many crossover models that “claim to be SUVs”.

Veloz – with the shape of a basic MPV model – minimizes horizontal movements (sideways body sway) when cornering at high speed or continuously connecting curves on mountain passes.

Still Xpander possesses the advantage of “swimming” in the rainy season in urban areas, or when crossing terrain thanks to increased ground clearance to 225mm – superior to many current SUV models.

Mitsubishi Xpander maintains a modern Dynamic Shield face shape, updates a luxurious diamond grille, and strong, tough design front and rear bumpers. Toyota Veloz debuted with a poised, neat appearance. The highlight at the front of the car is the hexagonal grille with a very modern and luxurious three-wing dart pattern.

Xpander Equipped with an LED lighting system with divided projectors, it is not only highly aesthetic, but also provides impressive lighting capabilities. Meanwhile, with the same price of 648 million VND, Veloz is only equipped with reflector LED lights but is integrated with an automatic on/off sensor.

Moving on to the body, both have mirrors with integrated turn signals and shark fin antennas. Toyota also provides the car with blind spot sensors on the mirror – slightly better in terms of safety equipment than the Xpander. There is a splint on the roof of the Veloz car, but it is only for decoration and does not have the effect of bearing weight and being able to carry things.

Meanwhile, the Xpander’s legs are impressive with 17-inch wheels with a new, youthful and modern design. Veloz Even though it only has 16-inch wheels, the design is still very luxurious and eye-catching. Furthermore, Veloz is equipped with disc brakes on all 4 wheels, instead of only 2 front wheels and 2 rear wheels using drum brakes like on the Xpander.

At the rear of the car, both have impressive designs. Xpander stands out with a set of modern “T-Shape” brake lights, synchronized with the front light system. Meanwhile, the thin LED light strip extending across the body helps Veloz create a premium atmosphere when viewed from the rear.

Spacious and comfortable interior

Interior space of Xpander for a more comfortable feeling, thanks to its outstanding overall dimensions, especially the difference in wheelbase length. However, Veloz is not cramped at all, the car is still capable of providing seats for 7 adults on average trips.

The most noticeable difference in the interior compartment of the two MPV models is that the Xpander is equipped with leather seats with material that limits heat absorption – very useful in the hot season. Meanwhile, Veloz only owns a set of leather and felt seats that are less “enjoyable” and buyers will have to pay more if they want to re-cover the leather seats.

The space for 7 passengers inside the Xpander is also more spacious and comfortable than on the Veloz, especially legroom. Xpander is equipped with up to 7 seat folding modes, helping to flexibly customize the space to accommodate items as desired. Still Toyota Veloz It can also be “shaped” into Sofa mode, allowing the whole family to lie down comfortably and stretch their legs during picnics.

Next, the infotainment systems of the two Japanese MPV models also have quite a big difference. For the same money, customers who own an Xpander are equipped with a touch screen up to 9 inches with fully integrated Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity and standard USB, Type-C charging ports and full 12V pipes for all 3 rows of seats.

On the other side of the front line, Veloz users will only have an 8-inch screen (?) with a thick bezel that lacks aesthetics and the ability to connect to the phone via Bluetooth waves. But besides that, Veloz equips passengers with a Qi standard wireless charging pad as well as USB charging ports and full 12V pipes for all 3 rows of seats.

The 7-inch information screen behind the steering wheel is also an advantage of Veloz when standing next to it Xpander. Thanks to this screen, Veloz provides the driver with more intuitive information than the Xpander with a configuration of 2 speedometers on both sides and a small multi-information screen in the middle.

A commendable upgrade on the Xpander 2022 to balance with the Veloz is that both MPV models are equipped with an electronic handbrake, accompanied by the Auto Hold feature; helps the center armrest space become very neat and modern.

Although on social media, there are many opinions suggesting that the automatic brake hold feature Toyota Veloz Has problems and does not work well on steep terrain; However, practical experience in the Ba Vi National Park area with slopes over 10 degrees shows that this feature works well on both car models.

High-end Xpander with leather interior, sharp, modern metal-grain panels. Meanwhile, Veloz appears to be quite inferior with its interior mostly made from hard plastic materials, and the leather upholstery is also not “tight”. In particular, the door dashboard or center armrest area of the Veloz is quite messy, the details are easily misaligned, creating a rickety feeling.

For a 7-seat car model, air conditioning is also a detail worth paying attention to. Both of these MPV models have enough air vents for all 3 rows of seats, with the front row set up on the dashboard and the back two rows arranged on the ceiling.

Veloz is favored with a 1-zone automatic air conditioning system, meanwhile Xpander It has a more beautiful, modern and neat digital button system. In particular, Xpander also possesses the Max Cool feature with quick cooling ability, useful in tropical climates like Vietnam.

Stable, smooth and economical operation

While Mitsubishi Xpander Equipped with a 1.5L MIVEC engine, comes with a 4-speed automatic transmission for 105 PS of power and 141 Nm of maximum torque; Toyota Veloz owns a 2NR-VE 1.5L engine, combined with a CVT automatic transmission that can create a maximum of 105 HP and 138 Nm of torque.

Overall, both Xpander and Veloz are very similar in terms of engine power. However, the difference in gearbox also creates certain differences when driving. Xpander With a 4-speed gearbox, the transmission ratio is fixed and the load capacity seems stronger at low gear levels, useful when climbing steep passes.

As for Veloz with a CVT gearbox, it will have to roar more and push the engine rpm higher with the same load (same number of people – goods and same steep mountain pass). In return, the CVT engine gives a smoother acceleration feeling, without stalling like a level automatic transmission.

Toyota equips “domestic chickens” with 3 driving modes: Eco, Normal and Power; However, it is not really effective when you need to exploit power, but only effective when you need to operate economically.

On urban roads, Xpander and Veloz both appear to be more than capable when operating at speeds of less than 60 km/h. When stepping onto the road or highway, the car begins to operate at higher speeds. Mitsubishi’s MPV model proves to be superior in soundproofing ability as well as the rigidity of the body.

Thanks to the upgraded suspension system with larger springs and forks, Xpander extinguishes excess vibrations very quickly when passing potholes or bridge abutments; Does not cause the feeling of “bumping” and force pushing into the hips or back, making passengers uncomfortable like on the Veloz.

If you’re observant, just look at how the Xpander’s engine compartment is completed compared to Toyota Velozit can also be seen that Mitsubishi is really serious about its products: the paint layers are sharp and smudge-free, the engine is covered with a cover, underneath the engine compartment is a mud cover, the air vents are padded to reduce noise, the contours are neatly injected with rubber foam…

With some different safety equipment: 6 airbags compared to 2 airbags, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning; Veloz focuses more on safety features than its competitor Xpander. However, Mitsubishi representatives seem more realistic when equipping the driver with cruise control automatic throttle support feature. This is an extremely confusing loss point for Toyota regarding its domestic MPV model.

Overall ratingMitsubishi Xpander and Toyota Veloz Very similar in design, shape, space, equipment and strength. Each model has its own strengths and deserves to be a “rival” in the 7-seat MPV segment, far ahead of the Suzuki XL7.

Both are imported from Indonesia, but the listed price of 648 million VND has a difference when customers want to buy a car. Thus, the success of Xpander or Veloz will certainly depend greatly on the actual price of each car model and especially the source of goods and the ability to supply available products during a period when all car manufacturers are suffering severe consequences from the disruption of the component supply chain caused by the pandemic on a global scale.