Is the Mitsubishi Xpander Outclassed by the New, Affordable Rival?

MG has officially launched the MG G50, a mid-sized MPV, in the Vietnamese market. The vehicle is offered in three variants, with the MG G50 1.5T MT COM, equipped with a manual transmission, being the most affordable option at 559 million VND. The two automatic variants, the 1.5T AT DEL and 1.5T AT LUX, are priced at 698 million and 749 million VND, respectively.

With a price tag of 559 million VND, the MG G50 manual variant is even more affordable than the Mitsubishi Xpander MT, which is currently priced at 560 million VND for Vietnamese customers. Does the arrival of this new, affordable contender in the MPV segment pose a threat to the Mitsubishi Xpander’s dominance?

Mitsubishi Xpander’s Reign

In Vietnam, the Mitsubishi Xpander remains the undisputed “king of MPVs,” not only in the small MPV category but also across the entire spectrum of multi-purpose vehicles.

Last year, the Mitsubishi Xpander maintained its top position in the small MPV segment with impressive sales figures, selling 19,498 units over the course of 12 months. The year before, in 2022, the Mitsubishi Xpander took the crown for the best-selling vehicle in the entire Vietnamese market, with sales figures reaching 19,740 units.

Specifically, the Mitsubishi Xpander’s sales figures in 2024 surpassed those of the Toyota Veloz Cross (8,341 units), Kia Carnival (6,560 units), and Toyota Innova Cross (6,034 units).

Other mid-sized MPVs, such as the Hyundai Custin (3,101 units) and Toyota Innova (725 units), also fell short of matching the Mitsubishi Xpander’s impressive performance.

In the first two months of 2025, the Mitsubishi Xpander continues to lead the MPV segment in Vietnam, with 1,861 units sold. The Toyota Innova Cross follows closely with 866 units sold, and the Kia Carnival comes in third with 772 units.

At present, the Mitsubishi Xpander’s “reign” in the small MPV category and its broader appeal as a 7-seater family vehicle remain unchallenged.

The gap in sales volume between the Xpander and its competitors is significant, and it would take considerable effort for any rival to close this gap in the short term, provided that the Xpander maintains its allure for Vietnamese customers.

The Mitsubishi Xpander remains the best-selling MPV in Vietnam. Photo by Vĩnh Phúc.

One of the key factors contributing to the Mitsubishi Xpander’s success is its competitive pricing and diverse range of variants. The Xpander is offered in four different versions in Vietnam, with prices ranging from 560 million to 698 million VND.

Within the small MPV segment, only the Kia Carens can match the Xpander in terms of the number of available variants.

With a starting price of 560 million VND, the Mitsubishi Xpander is also one of the most affordable MPVs on the market, second only to the Toyota Avanza Premio (starting at 558 million VND) and the Hyundai Stargazer (starting at 489 million VND).

However, with the continuous introduction of new MPV models in Vietnam, including both gasoline and electric options, the Mitsubishi Xpander is facing a challenging market landscape.

Recently launched mid-sized MPVs, whether boasting low operating costs like the BYD M6 and VinFast Limo Green or competitively priced like the MG G50 and GAC M6 Pro, are all potential contenders to the Xpander’s throne.

MG G50: A Mid-Sized MPV Priced Lower than the Xpander

Despite its entry-level price being lower than the manual variant of the best-selling small MPV in Vietnam, the MG G50 is, in fact, a mid-sized MPV with dimensions of 4,825 x 1,825 x 1,778 mm (length x width x height).

The MG G50 is positioned in the mid-sized MPV segment. Photo by Đan Thanh.

These dimensions make the MG G50 longer than the BYD M6 (4,710 x 1,810 x 1,690 mm), VinFast Limo Green (4,730 x 1,870 x 1,690 mm), Toyota Innova Cross (4,755 x 1,845 x 1,790 mm), and GAC M6 Pro (4,793 x 1,837 x 1,765 mm). Among mid-sized MPVs, only the Hyundai Custin, with its length of 4,950 mm, surpasses the G50.

The “new kid on the block,” the MG G50, is equipped with a standard 1.5L turbocharged engine that delivers 169 horsepower and a maximum torque of 285 Nm. The automatic variants feature a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.

In its most affordable variant, the MG G50 comes with fabric upholstery, conventional keys, and a non-leather-wrapped steering wheel that lacks integrated control buttons. It does not have a central touchscreen display, relying instead on manual air conditioning controls. This variant also forgoes cruise control and a rearview camera, and it only has two airbags.

On the other hand, the top-of-the-line variant boasts an electronic gear selector behind the steering wheel, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch central infotainment screen, and a six-speaker audio system.

The MG G50 offers seating for up to eight occupants across three rows. The highest-end variant provides the option of seven seats, with the second row featuring two independent seats with individual armrests.

Interior of the top-tier MG G50 variant. Photo by Đan Thanh.

At 559 million VND, the MG G50 manual variant is not only the most affordable mid-sized MPV but also a compelling alternative to the Mitsubishi Xpander MT, priced at 560 million VND.

The automatic variants of the MG G50 are priced higher, at 698 million and 749 million VND, respectively. These prices are significantly higher than the standard Xpander AT, which is priced at 598 million VND.

The mid-range MG G50 can still compete with the highest-end variants of small MPVs such as the Veloz Cross CVT Top (660 million VND), Mitsubishi Xpander Cross (698 million VND), and Honda BR-V L (705 million VND).

As for the top-tier MG G50, its price tag of 749 million VND is quite competitive compared to the Toyota Innova Cross (starting at 810 million VND), Hyundai Custin (starting at 820 million VND), Toyota Innova (755 million VND), BYD M6 (756 million VND), and VinFast Limo Green (749 million VND).

Can the MG G50 Challenge the Xpander’s Dominance?

As mentioned earlier, the MG G50’s entry-level price of 559 million VND inadvertently positions it as a direct competitor to the Mitsubishi Xpander.

The manual variants of both vehicles will appeal to customers in the transportation business, primarily due to their low initial cost.

However, fuel consumption could be a weakness that makes the MG G50 less appealing than the Mitsubishi Xpander.

The manual variant of the MG G50 is the most affordable mid-sized MPV. Photo by Đan Thanh.

According to the manufacturer, the MT variant of the MG G50 has a fuel consumption rate of 8.96 liters per 100 km in combined conditions. In comparison, the Mitsubishi Xpander MT boasts a more efficient fuel consumption rate of 6.8 liters per 100 km.

For customers in the transportation business, the purchase price is just one part of the equation; operating costs also play a crucial role in their vehicle purchasing decisions. In this regard, the MG G50 might be at a slight disadvantage compared to the Mitsubishi Xpander.

The MG G50’s strongest suit might be in its intended segment, where the Toyota Innova Cross currently reigns supreme over the Hyundai Custin and Toyota Innova.

In this scenario, the discussion shifts to brand value, vehicle quality, and after-sales service, pitting MG against established Korean and Japanese automakers.

While MG is considered one of the most successful Chinese automotive brands in Vietnam, Vietnamese customers still approach the brand with a degree of caution.

The MG G50 could be an attractive option for customers in the transportation business. Photo by Đan Thanh.

The MG G50’s ability to “make waves” in the MPV segment in Vietnam remains to be seen, but it has certainly garnered attention with its entry-level price, undercutting many small MPVs in the market. Overall, while the MG G50 may not dethrone the Mitsubishi Xpander, it does offer a spacious and affordable alternative within the MPV category.

The entire MPV segment is geared towards customers in the service industry, and newcomers like the MG G50 face competition from electric MPVs, which offer the advantage of lower operating costs and are seen as the future of service vehicles worldwide. BYD M6 has already made its mark in this segment, and VinFast Limo Green could be a formidable contender.

Other automakers will undoubtedly respond to these market shifts. For instance, Mitsubishi may introduce hybrid versions of the Xpander/Xpander Cross to enhance the competitiveness of their cash cow. Mid-sized MPVs like the Toyota Innova Cross and Hyundai Custin may also need to adjust their pricing strategies to stay ahead of these new challengers.

The race for sales in the MPV segment in Vietnam has already heated up at the beginning of the year, and we can expect more exciting developments in the remaining months of 2025.

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