The Mitsubishi ASX was one of my dream cars. It had the Lancer’s face, rally car silhouette, and a healthy 150 ps of power on tap. Its absence was definitely felt and since then, I’ve been wondering when Mitsubishi will come back in the segment that is currently very popular.
2024 was that year as Mitsubishi unveiled the all-new XForce. This was built from the ground up to meet the demands of the ASEAN region for a smaller, compact, but fun crossover. We’ve been given the chance to drive it in the city, on the highway, up mountain roads and even in the dirt. There’s a lot to unpack but to spoil those who have no patience to read, the XForce is a stellar crossover.
Mitsubishi has clever design tricks here and there, inside and out. The headlights are hidden within the DRL assembly so that you won’t notice them during daytime. The shoulders by the rear wheel wells transition nicely to the taillights – that are also shaped like the Daytime Running Lights! Then they avoided a dull tailgate by implementing a similar shape to the front end. I’m not a fan of body color diffusers but I respect their decision in making that in order to break the huge rear bumper.
Inside, the main attraction of the XForce is the 12.3-inch touchscreen that finally puts Mitsubishi into the modern era. It’s responsive, intuitive, and bright in both day and night conditions. It also has wireless connectivity with Apple CarPlay, has Android Auto, and is paired with a wireless charger.
Apart from entertainment, the touchscreen houses the advanced vehicle metrics of the XForce. It has a Driving Score feature that keeps track of your turning, throttle, and braking. It also has a digital Inclinometer as well as Avionics, looking like a real, rally-ready beast.
The cabin also has its small touches of genius. Buttons were retained for the crucial controls like Drive Mode, Dual-Zone Aircon, and Electronic Parking Brake. The front seats have an upper pocket at the back for phones and other similarly sized items, the rear seats have 8 levels of recline, while the rear armrest opens a section of the rear seat for easier access to the cargo area. And that cargo area has two levels of flooring – flat and recessed – to cater to your needs. It’s also easier to be hydrated on long drives because the center console has a cooling function and can hold up to four regular bottles of water.
Mitsubishi also went all out with the audio of the XForce’s cabin by tapping some help from Yamaha. The Yamaha Automotive Sound System has a good set of EQ controls to customize the sound to your preference. Alternatively, it’s available with “Yamaha Signature Sound” which gives a great soundstage for all occupants inside the XForce’s cabin. It’s like hearing the artist perform in front and around you, depending on the song’s mix. I can easily say the XForce has the best audio system in its class.
The powertrain of the XForce isn’t exciting on paper. It has a 1.5L MIVEC gasoline engine without a turbo, mated to a CVT, and produces 105 ps and 141 Nm of torque. That is supposed to be a recipe for a vanilla drive and yet the Xforce delivered a lot of smiles per minute.
The Xforce is comfy, nimble, and is willing to rev high for our driving pleasure. Mitsubishi made proper use of every horsepower available on the engine, and tuned the CVT so that there’s almost no rubber band effect apparent. It’s almost like a torque converter automatic to be honest.
Ride comfort was great especially at the back thanks to shock absorbers it borrowed from the Montero Sport. It’s not afraid of taking corners too and does so with minimal body roll. Together with a quiet cabin, it really makes for a great riding experience.
What’s surprising is it’s fun to drive in the dirt despite being a front-wheel drive crossover, and again a CVT. Much of that is thanks to the Gravel and Dirt drive modes of the Xforce. It’s such a powerful feature as it controls the Active Yaw Control, together with the Traction Control, steering, and throttle input if you’re on loose soil, mud, or dirt.
During our activity, the Xforce was very confident in tackling the dirt as if it was meant to be a rally car. Playing on wet mud also proved to be peanuts to the new crossover, never allowing you to lose control or be stuck. If you’re over-revving, the Xforce itself will choke the throttle input so you don’t have too much wheel spin. In contrast if you don’t have much throttle input, it will maximize the Traction Control so you can still get out of the mud. In my opinion, this is what sets the Xforce apart from the competition. If you’re the kind that goes into rough patches spontaneously, the Mitsubishi Xforce should be the top notcher in your list.
Of course, the XForce is at home in the city. Its quiet cabin is complemented by nanoex technology that purifies the air inside the car. It has also been given a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating thanks to availability of six airbags and Advanced Driver Assist Systems. These include Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam, Blind Spot Warning System, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, among others.
Mitsubishi could have gone the simpler route and just be on par with the competition. Instead, they went all out with their research and design team to create a crossover that’s not only capable, it also has unique functional appointments. The Mitsubishi XForce will keep you safe and comfortable in the city, while ensuring your smile as you drive it to the mountains of Doña Remedios Trinidad in Bulacan, the winding roads of Marilaque, or even a glamping getaway in Lake Mapanuepe.
The Mitsubishi XForce starts at PHP 1,367,000 for the GLS trim, while the GT is at PHP 1,581,000.
