MVP Car Sales September 2023: Mitsubishi Xpander Holds “King” Title, Honda BR-V Shines

In September 2023, coinciding with the end of the lunar month of July, Vietnamese people’s demand for car shopping increased. Similarly to other segments, MPV models also showed signs of improvement, especially the newcomer Honda BR-V.

MPV sales in September 2023 (unit: vehicles)

Mitsubishi Xpander: 1,918 vehicles

It comes as no surprise that Mitsubishi Xpander, the number one MPV model in Vietnam, continues to hold its position. In September 2023, Mitsubishi Xpander achieved a sales figure of 1,918 vehicles, a growth of 12.7%. With this result, Mitsubishi Xpander is the second best-selling model in the overall market, only surpassed by Mazda CX-5.

Since its launch in Vietnam in 2018, Mitsubishi Xpander has never lost its popularity. In addition to its eye-catching design, spacious 7-seat interior, and advanced safety features, this compact MPV also offers an affordable price range, ranging from 560 – 698 million VND for 4 different variants. Furthermore, in recent months, Mitsubishi has been running promotions for this model, helping to maintain the appeal of the “king” of the MPV segment.

The “heart” of the Mitsubishi Xpander is a 1.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine, DOHC 16 valves, generating a maximum power of 105 horsepower and a maximum torque of 141 Nm. The engine is paired with a front-wheel drive system and a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission.

Honda BR-V: 793 vehicles

Honda BR-V may be the most surprising name in the MPV segment in September 2023, achieving a sales figure of 793 vehicles, a growth of 213.4%. This result not only elevated Honda BR-V to the second position in the segment but also placed it among the top 10 best-selling cars in the overall market. It seems that the promotion program applied to the BR-V in September 2023 had a significant impact.

Introduced in Vietnam in early July 2023, Honda BR-V is not a cheap model, with prices ranging from 661 – 705 million VND. However, this newcomer has achieved impressive sales figures in recent months.

Compared to some competitors in the same segment such as Kia Carens or Suzuki XL7, Honda BR-V has the advantage of a comprehensive safety system. Specifically, the car is equipped with the standard Honda Sensing package, including 6 active safety features: Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Auto High-Beam Headlights (AHB), and Low-Speed Follow (LSF). The higher-end variant is also equipped with 6 airbags and the Honda LaneWatch blind-spot monitoring system.

In addition, Honda BR-V also possesses a powerful engine in the segment. Under the hood, the car is powered by a 1.5L i-VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine, DOHC, generating a maximum power of 119 horsepower and a maximum torque of 145 Nm. The engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a 6-speed manual transmission, with a front-wheel drive system.

Toyota Veloz Cross: 604 vehicles

The unexpected success of the Honda BR-V has pushed the Toyota Veloz Cross down to third position in the segment, with a sales figure of 604 vehicles in the past month. However, compared to August 2023, the sales figure of this model still increased by 19.8%.

Currently, the Toyota Veloz Cross is available in 2 versions with prices ranging from 658 – 698 million VND. As it is an assembled-in-Vietnam car, the Toyota Veloz Cross is eligible for a 50% vehicle registration fee exemption until the end of this year.

The competitive advantage of this model lies in the renowned Toyota brand, its SUV-like design, and its abundant features for the price range, such as the standard Toyota Safety Sense package, automatic air conditioning, electronic parking brake, 9-inch touchscreen display, LED headlights, etc.

The Toyota Veloz Cross is powered by a 1.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine, producing a maximum power of 105 horsepower and a maximum torque of 138 Nm. The engine is paired with a CVT transmission.

Hyundai Stargazer: 400 vehicles

Alongside the Honda BR-V, the Hyundai Stargazer also shines in the MPV segment in September 2023. This South Korean model achieved a sales figure of 400 vehicles, a growth of 330%. Thanks to this result, the Hyundai Stargazer climbed from a low position in August 2023 to fourth place in the segment.

The Stargazer is currently one of the few fully imported models from the Hyundai brand in Vietnam. Therefore, the car does not qualify for the government’s 50% vehicle registration fee exemption. Additionally, this model is considered to have an unattractive appearance to Vietnamese consumers.

Of course, the Hyundai Stargazer also has its advantages, such as a spacious interior with 3 rows of seats, and a rare 6-seat configuration in the segment. It is equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with integrated rearview camera, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, remote engine start, wireless phone charging, 8-speaker Bose sound system with external amplifier, automatic air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, and the Hyundai SmartSense advanced driver-assistance system.

The Hyundai Stargazer uses a Smartstream G gasoline engine with a displacement of 1.5L, producing a maximum power of 113 horsepower and a maximum torque of 144 Nm. It is combined with an iVT continuously variable transmission and a front-wheel drive system.

In Vietnam, the Hyundai Stargazer has 4 versions and prices ranging from 575 – 685 million VND.

Kia Carens: 393 vehicles

Similar to its sibling, the Hyundai Stargazer, the Kia Carens also experienced an increase in sales in September 2023, achieving a figure of 393 vehicles. Moreover, this small MPV outsold the Kia Carnival and ranked fifth in the segment.

From September 11, 2023, the price of the Kia Carens has been adjusted to only range from 589 – 859 million VND. Compared to other small MPVs, the Kia Carens has a relatively high price. However, it offers a SUV-style design, a 6 or 7-seat interior configuration (rare in the segment), and many convenient features such as leather seats, a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, 8 Bose speakers, and a panoramic sunroof.

In terms of engine options, the Kia Carens offers variety. It is available with a naturally aspirated 1.5L gasoline engine, a turbocharged 1.4L gasoline engine, and a 1.5L diesel engine. Depending on the variant, it can be paired with a manual transmission, a 6-speed automatic transmission, a CVT, or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Kia Carnival: 391 vehicles

In September, the sales figure of the large MPV Kia Carnival only grew slightly by 3.4% to 391 vehicles. Therefore, the Kia Carnival has been pushed down to a lower position than its sibling, the Carens.

Although not high, the sales figure of the Kia Carnival is still considered impressive because it is not a cheap MPV. Starting from October 2023, the Kia Carnival is priced from 1,209 – 1,834 billion VND.

The Kia Carnival is one of the few large MPVs available in Vietnam. The car is highly regarded for its design, spacious interior, and abundant features and safety equipment.

Customers in Vietnam can choose between two engine options. The first is a 2.2L Smartstream diesel engine with 4 cylinders, DOHC, producing a maximum power of 199 horsepower and a maximum torque of 440 Nm, which is used for the 4 lower-end versions. The highest-end variant uses a 3.5L Smartstream V6 gasoline engine, DOHC, 24 valves, with a displacement of 3.5L, generating a maximum power of 268 horsepower and a maximum torque of 331 Nm, combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota Avanza Premio: 292 vehicles

The Toyota Avanza Premio is a rare MPV that experienced a decrease in sales in the Vietnamese MPV segment. In September 2023, this model only sold 292 vehicles, a decrease of 1.3%.

As a more affordable version of the Veloz Cross, the Toyota Avanza Premio also has less impressive design and features. However, the Avanza Premio is one of the most affordable MPVs in Vietnam with prices ranging from 558 – 598 million VND for 2 variants.

Similar to the Veloz Cross, the Toyota Avanza Premio uses a 1.5L gasoline engine with the code 2NR-VE, with 4 cylinders and a displacement of 1.5L, producing a maximum power of 105 horsepower and a maximum torque of 138 Nm. Depending on the variant, the car can be equipped with either a manual transmission or a CVT, with a front-wheel drive system as standard.

Suzuki XL7: 165 vehicles

The Toyota Avanza Premio is not the only MPV model that experienced a decrease in sales in the Vietnamese MPV segment; the Suzuki XL7 did as well. In September 2023, the sales figure of this Suzuki model reached 165 vehicles, a decrease of 3.5%. Even though the car enjoyed a 50% vehicle registration fee exemption promotion in September 2023, it still lacked appeal to Vietnamese consumers.

Compared to other competitors in the same segment, the Suzuki XL7 lags behind in terms of design and equipment. The car is equipped with basic safety features such as ABS, hill-start assist, electronic stability control, a rearview camera, and 2 airbags.

The Suzuki XL7’s standout feature lies in its durable and fuel-efficient engine. It is equipped with a 1.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a maximum power output of 103 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 138 Nm, coupled with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Suzuki Ertiga: 153 vehicles

Like in August 2023, the sales figure of the Suzuki Ertiga continued to grow in September, reaching 153 vehicles. This is one of the rare months that this model achieved a sales figure of over 100 vehicles since the beginning of 2023. With this result, the Suzuki Ertiga has escaped the list of the 10 worst-selling vehicles in the market.

This achievement was partly due to the promotion program of up to 100 million VND during September 2023. In October 2023, this MPV model will continue to be offered with the same promotion.

Similar to its sibling, the XL7, the Suzuki Ertiga has the most significant weakness in terms of design, equipment, and safety features compared to its competitors. The car is equipped with a mild hybrid powertrain with a 1.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine, with a maximum power output of 103 horsepower and a maximum torque of 138 Nm. The engine is paired with either a manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota Innova: 112 vehicles

Instead of the Hyundai Stargazer, the Toyota Innova was the least selling MPV model in the MPV segment in September 2023. Specifically, in the past month, the Toyota Innova only sold 112 vehicles, a decrease of 7.4%. In fact, this result was not surprising, as September was the month before the Toyota Innova Cross was introduced to Vietnam, which created a sense of anticipation among customers.