Auto Focus | Head to Head: Mitsubishi Xpander GLS AT Vs. Suzuki Ertiga GLX AT HD

In this week’s Head-to-Head, two new MPVs in the market will battle it out on which one is better in every aspect. One of them takes pride in its design and engineering, while the other one boasts its company’s advanced technology features. We’re talking about the Mitsubishi Xpander and the Suzuki Ertiga. Watch this. We have here the Xpander GLS AT and the Ertiga GLX AT variants. Let’s start by checking what’s under the hood of our two featured MPVs. Both the Xpander and the Ertiga are powered by a 1.5-liter DOHC inline-4 diesel engine, which is new with the Ertiga. The difference is in the power and torque figures. While the Xpander gives out a generous 105 PS of power and 141 Nm of torque, the Ertiga produces 103hp and 138 Nm of torque. There’s not much difference. In addition, both of our two MPVs’ engines here are mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Top it with a suspension setup made of MacPherson with Coil Spring at the front and Torsion Beam at the rear—which goes for the both cars—and they’re ready to be taken on to some urban driving. The overall look of the Xpander doesn’t come off as basic. The details in the exterior design are well-thought-of. The details that give away a sporty and modern vibes to the Xpander are these sharp lines that go around the vehicle, its Halogen headlamps, and the Dynamic Shield grille. The sides are further highlighted by these 16-inch alloy wheels. On the other hand, the Ertiga’s exterior looks edgy and elegant at the same time. It features a taller nose and a wide and elegant front grille. The lower roof side extends the head room while providing a more stylish side view. The integrated lower grille and fog lamps add a sense of stability and make the car look edgy. Unlike the Xpander, the Ertiga has 15-inch alloy wheels. Let’s have a tour inside our two MPVs. Inside the Xpander, the dashboard would instantly catch your attention. It’s simple yet everything the driver needs is within reach, and it looks elegant. It is further highlighted by the 7-inch touchscreen display that comes with 6 speakers and is available with AM/FM, MP3, AUX, USB, iPOD, Bluetooth and Navigation. As for the seats, they are wrapped in fabric and the leg room is pretty generous as well for a seven-seater MPV. Meanwhile, hopping inside the Ertiga, one would easily notice that the new steering wheel has a flat bottom for better leg clearance while the gauges are painted with metallic chrome for a sleeker look. The seats have a deep curb with the fabric showing a 3D effect. The third row has more headspace while the seats are designed with a reclining and tilt-down mechanism up to 16 degrees. For a seven-seater like the Xpander, the Ertiga also provides convenient seating. For the infotainment system, the Ertiga comes a touchscreen display that’s available in AM/FM, MP3, AUX, USB, iPOD, Bluetooth and Navigation. Sound is enjoyable courtesy of four speakers. Moreover, the Ertiga comes equipped with Suzuki’s new generation platfor