In December 2023, the Vietnamese car market witnessed a significant boost in sales, particularly in the MPV segment. All MPV models in Vietnam experienced a surge in sales, with Mitsubishi Xpander and Suzuki Ertiga leading the way.
No. | Model | December 2023 | November 2023 | Growth Rate | Cumulative 2023 |
1 | Mitsubishi Xpander | 2,809 | 1,467 | +91.4% | 19,740 |
2 | Toyota Veloz Cross | 1,670 | 1,116 | +49.6% | 9,318 |
3 | Hyundai Custin | 809 | 529 | +52.9% | 1,662 |
4 | Honda BR-V | 706 | 544 | +29.7% | 3,047 |
5 | Toyota Avanza Premio | 701 | 445 | +57.2% | 3,783 |
6 | Kia Carnival | 574 | 550 | +4.3% | 5,401 |
7 | Kia Carens | 441 | 337 | +30.8% | 3,766 |
8 | Hyundai Stargazer | 407 | 355 | +14.6% | 3,857 |
9 | Suzuki Ertiga | 292 | 121 | +141.3% | 1,104 |
10 | Toyota Innova Cross | 224 | 162 | +38.2% | 529 |
11 | Suzuki XL7 | 195 | 152 | +28.2% | 2,526 |
12 | Toyota Innova | 182 | 113 | +61% | 1,909 |
Sales figures for MPVs in December 2023 (in units)
Mitsubishi Xpander: 2,809 units
In December 2023, Mitsubishi Xpander recorded sales of 2,809 units, marking a 91.4% increase compared to the previous month. It continued to hold the top position in the MPV segment, although it was outsold by the Toyota Vios (3,022 units) in the overall market. With a cumulative total of 19,740 units sold in 2023, the Mitsubishi Xpander remained the best-selling model, despite a 10.2% decline compared to 2022.
Mitsubishi Xpander
The popularity of the Mitsubishi Xpander in Vietnam can be attributed to its modern design, ample features, and attractive pricing, ranging from 560 to 698 million VND, depending on the variant. Additionally, the model benefited from various promotional campaigns throughout 2023 to stimulate demand during the market’s downturn.
Under the hood, the Mitsubishi Xpander is powered by a 1.5L 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve gasoline engine, delivering a maximum power of 105 horsepower and a peak torque of 141 Nm. It is equipped with a front-wheel drive system and is available with either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission.
Toyota Veloz Cross: 1,670 units
In December 2023, the Toyota Veloz Cross secured the second position in the MPV segment. With sales of 1,670 units, it experienced a 49.6% increase, a result partially influenced by the manufacturer’s promotional campaign during the month.
Throughout 2023, the Toyota Veloz Cross achieved a total of 9,318 unit sales, representing a 33.9% decrease compared to 2022.
Toyota Veloz Cross
The Toyota Veloz Cross stands out for its reputable brand, rugged SUV-like MPV design, abundant features in its segment, and a reasonable price range of 658 to 698 million VND. It also comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense active safety technology, automatic air conditioning, electronic parking brake, 9-inch touchscreen entertainment system, LED headlights, among other features.
Powering the Toyota Veloz Cross is a 4-cylinder 1.5L gasoline engine, generating a maximum power of 105 horsepower and a peak torque of 138 Nm. It is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Hyundai Custin: 809 units
Ranking third in the MPV segment in Vietnam for December 2023 was the Hyundai Custin, a newcomer to the market. With sales of 809 units, it experienced a 52.9% increase. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the cumulative sales reached 1,662 units, surpassing its direct competitor, the Toyota Innova Cross.
Hyundai Custin
The Hyundai Custin was launched in Vietnam in September 2023, offering three variants with prices ranging from 850 to 999 million VND. This MPV boasts a spacious 7-seater interior, a relatively large size, and various options for convenience, safety, and engine features.
In Vietnam, the Hyundai Custin is equipped with LED headlights, 17-18-inch wheels, electric sliding side doors/electric tailgate, power-adjustable/heated/cooled front seats, a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 6 speakers, electronic parking brake, dual sunroof, rear sunshades, automatic air conditioning, air vents for all 3 rows of seats, and various charging ports.
Under the hood, the Hyundai Custin is powered by a 1.5L Smartstream G gasoline engine, generating a maximum power of 113 horsepower and a peak torque of 144 Nm. It is paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (iVT) and a front-wheel drive system.
Honda BR-V: 706 units
In line with other MPV models in the segment, the Honda BR-V witnessed an increase in sales in December 2023. It achieved sales of 706 units, representing a 29.7% increase compared to the previous month.
Cumulatively in 2023, the Honda BR-V recorded sales of 3,047 units. These figures are noteworthy given the higher price range of this MPV compared to its competitors, which ranges from 661 to 705 million VND. Furthermore, the Honda BR-V was only introduced to Vietnam six months prior.
Honda BR-V
Similar to the Toyota Veloz Cross, the Honda BR-V showcases an imposing SUV-like MPV design and features advanced ADAS driving assistance features. It comes standard with the Honda Sensing safety technology package, which includes Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive High Beam (AHB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and Low Speed Follow (LSF). The top-of-the-line variant also includes 6 airbags and the Honda LaneWatch blind-spot monitoring system.
Powering the Honda BR-V is a 1.5L i-VTEC 4-cylinder DOHC gasoline engine, producing a maximum power of 119 horsepower and a peak torque of 145 Nm. It is coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a front-wheel drive system.
Toyota Avanza Premio: 701 units
In December 2023, the Toyota Avanza Premio made a strong comeback with sales of 701 units, marking a 57.2% increase. This brought the cumulative sales for the model in 2023 to 3,783 units.
Toyota Avanza Premio
Starting from December 21, 2023, the Toyota Avanza Premio variant with manual transmission (MT) was temporarily suspended from sales in Vietnam due to its involvement in the Daihatsu emission and fuel consumption test scandal. However, there was no recall issued for the Avanza Premio MT, as the issue only related to emissions and fuel consumption tests and did not affect safety testing.
The Toyota Avanza Premio is essentially a more affordable version of the Veloz Cross. While it may have a less impressive design and features, it compensates with a lower price range of 558 to 598 million VND. The Avanza Premio shares the same engine as the Veloz Cross but comes with a manual transmission. Additionally, the Avanza Premio lacks the advanced active safety features found in its sibling.
Kia Carnival: 574 units
The Kia Carnival dropped to sixth place in the MPV segment in December 2023. It recorded sales of 574 units, representing a 4.3% increase. However, throughout 2023, the Kia Carnival sold a total of 5,401 units.
Kia Carnival
The Kia Carnival fared relatively well in Vietnam due to its spacious interior, extensive convenience features, and safety measures. Its pricing ranges from 1,189 to 1,799 billion VND.
Currently, the Kia Carnival in Vietnam is available with two engine options. The first is a 2.2L Smartstream diesel engine, producing a maximum power of 199 horsepower and a peak torque of 440 Nm, used in the four lower variants. The top-of-the-line variant is equipped with a V6 3.5L Smartstream gasoline engine, delivering a maximum power of 268 horsepower and a peak torque of 331 Nm, coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Kia Carens: 441 units
Following the Kia Carnival is its sibling, the Kia Carens, which sold a total of 441 units in December 2023, marking a 30.8% increase. Cumulatively, it achieved sales of 3,766 units throughout the year, although lower than the Carnival despite having a significantly lower price point.
Kia Carens
The Kia Carens is one of the most versatile MPVs in Vietnam, offering prices ranging from 589 to 859 million VND. One of its unique features is the availability of a 6-seater configuration in Vietnam.
The Kia Carens exhibits an impressive SUV-like MPV design and offers various convenience features, such as leather seats, a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, an 8-speaker Bose audio system with an external amplifier, automatic air conditioning, a cruise control system, and the Hyundai SmartSense active safety technology package. However, it does not include advanced driving assistance features (ADAS).
The Kia Carens provides multiple engine options, including a 1.5L natural-aspirated gasoline engine, a 1.4L turbocharged gasoline engine, and a 1.5L diesel engine. It is available with a 6-speed manual transmission, a 6-speed automatic transmission, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Hyundai Stargazer: 407 units
The Hyundai Stargazer experienced a 14.6% increase in sales in December 2023, with a total of 407 units sold. However, the cumulative sales for the entire year remained relatively low at 3,857 units.
Hyundai Stargazer
The Hyundai Stargazer is priced from 575 to 685 million VND. However, the actual selling price at dealerships is often lower, with the base variant priced below 500 million VND. Despite this, the Stargazer struggled to achieve significant sales and even trailed behind its more affordable sibling, the Custin.
The Hyundai Stargazer’s exterior design represents its biggest disadvantage. However, the interior provides a choice between a 6- or 7-seater configuration and various features such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a rearview camera, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, remote engine start, wireless phone charging, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, automatic air conditioning, a cruise control system, and the Hyundai SmartSense active safety technology package.
Under the hood, the Hyundai Stargazer is equipped with a 1.5L Smartstream G gasoline engine, delivering a maximum power of 113 horsepower and a peak torque of 144 Nm. It is coupled with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (iVT) and a front-wheel drive system.
Suzuki Ertiga: 292 units
In December 2023, the Suzuki Ertiga made a remarkable recovery, outselling its sibling, the XL7, with a total of 292 units sold. This marked a 141.3% increase, making it the MPV with the highest growth rate in December. In total, the Ertiga achieved sales of 1,104 units in 2023.
Suzuki Ertiga
The success of the Suzuki Ertiga can be attributed to the manufacturer’s promotional campaigns. In January 2024, a promotion program with a total value of 140 million VND was launched, reducing the price of the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid MT to 421 million VND, making it the most affordable MPV currently available in Vietnam.
While the Suzuki Ertiga offers relatively basic convenience and safety features compared to its competitors, it compensates with its affordability. The Ertiga is equipped with mild hybrid powertrain technology, including a 1.5L 4-cylinder DOHC gasoline engine with a maximum power output of 103 horsepower and a peak torque of 138 Nm. It is offered with either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission.
Toyota Innova Cross: 224 units
The Toyota Innova Cross, introduced to Vietnam in October 2023, has yet to achieve significant sales figures. In December, it sold 224 units, marking a 38.2% increase. In the last three months of 2023, Vietnamese customers purchased 529 units of the Toyota Innova Cross, a modest number compared to the Hyundai Custin.
Toyota Innova Cross
The Toyota Innova Cross is available in two variants, with prices ranging from 810 to 990 million VND. It features LED headlights, LED position lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch multi-information display, a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, wireless smartphone connectivity, automatic air conditioning, electronic parking brake, hill-start assist control, and smart entry.
Two engine options are available for the Toyota Innova Cross. The gasoline version features a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine with a maximum power output of 172 horsepower and a peak torque of 205 Nm. The hybrid version combines a gasoline engine with a maximum power output of 150 horsepower with a strong motor producing 111 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Suzuki XL7: 195 units
In contrast to previous months, the Suzuki XL7 performed less well than its sibling, the Ertiga, selling a total of 195 units in December 2023. This marked a 28.2% increase. Nonetheless, the cumulative sales for the entire year reached 2,526 units.
Suzuki XL7
Priced from 599.9 to 639.9 million VND, the Suzuki XL7 offers affordability but relatively basic safety features, including an anti-lock braking system (ABS), hill start assist, electronic stability program, a rearview camera, and 2 airbags.
The Suzuki XL7 is powered by a 1.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine, delivering a maximum power output of 103 horsepower and a peak torque of 138 Nm. It is coupled with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Toyota Innova: 182 units
The Toyota Innova, the previous-generation model, achieved sales of 182 units in December 2023, marking a significant increase of 61%. In total, the Innova achieved sales of 1,909 units throughout the year.
Toyota Innova
The Toyota Innova’s golden age has come to an end with the emergence of smaller, more attractive, and better-equipped MPVs. Consequently, the Innova has experienced relatively low sales in recent years.
Under the hood, the Toyota Innova is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder gasoline engine, delivering a maximum power output of 102 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and a peak torque of 183 Nm at 4,000 rpm. It is available with either a 6-speed automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual transmission.
Pricing for the Toyota Innova currently ranges from 755 to 995 million VND, which is relatively high for a model that has not received significant updates in terms of design or features.
[Mitsubishi Xpander vs Toyota Veloz] Intense Battle – An In-depth Comparison
As we enter 2022, the MPV segment welcomes two extremely appealing newcomers – the Toyota Veloz and the updated facelift version of the Mitsubishi Xpander, which has enjoyed tremendous success over the past 3 years. These two “rivalry players” will be the main characters in the battle for the throne of the affordable 7-seater segment in the Vietnamese market.