We recently got behind the wheel of the new 2026 Mitsubishi Xforce – the company’s latest entrant into the hotly-contested B-segment SUV market.
Overview
First previewed as the Mitsubishi XFC Concept back in late-2022, the production version was then shown a year later in Indonesia with the Xforce nameplate.
At the time of writing, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has yet to launch the Xforce in the country (launch is set to happen in April), but has indicated that prices would tentatively be between RM 110,000 to RM 120,000.
While MMM did offer a RM 5,000 early bird promo for the first 1,000 customers, overwhelming response encouraged MMM to extend the RM 5,000 rebate to the subsequent 1,000 customers too.
Read Also: New 2026 Mitsubishi Xforce detailed ahead of launch: Est. RM 105k to RM 115k, 2 variants, 1.5L NA
Exterior
In the sea of generic-looking B-SUVs, the Mitsubishi Xforce is a welcomed change. There’s no slim LED headlights or full-width LED light bar here.
Instead, the Xforce adopts T-shape signature lighting for the front and rear lights, pretty much mirroring the XFC Concept from 2022.
Then there’s the muscular fender flares and floating-style roof, which Mitsubishi says was designed and developed exclusively for the ASEAN region.
Regardless of variant (Urban or Ultimate), the Malaysian-spec Mitsubishi Xforce receives a set of dual-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in Toyo Proxes CR1 tyres.
Interior
Despite sharing its underpinnings with the Mitsubishi Xpander, at a glance, you can’t quite tell that this B-segment SUV shares some hardware with its MPV sibling. And that’s a very good thing, as the Xforce’s cabin looks and feels more upmarket than the Xpander.
That’s thanks to the Xforce Ultimate’s white Melange weave and mocha accents on the seats, which elevates the cabin ambiance compared to other similarly-priced rivals. The former offers a fabric finishing on the dashboard, a nice departure from models with just plastic with faux stitching.
Then there’s the Dynamic Sound Yamaha Premium System. No, this isn’t another OEM sound system with the Yamaha branding slapped on – Yamaha engineers actually sat down with Mitsubishi to develop the sound system, engineering perhaps one of the best-sounding cabins within this price bracket.
The seating position, while a bit tall for some, did allow us sufficient visibility when driving. And the fitment of a chilled centre console and automatic dual-zone air-conditioning is a pleasant surprise, especially for the segment.
At 12.3-inch, the Xforce Ultimate’s infotainment is also massive. So much so that it is even larger than some recently-launched premium SUV. While Apple CarPlay connectivity worked well enough during our time, navigating the menus can be a tad bit laggy at times, as the system takes a couple of seconds to register what you touched.
It’s not entirely a bed of roses though – the lack of power-adjustable seats is a noticeable omission, and at the Xforce’s price point, it would have been a given.
Powertrain
At the heart of the Malaysian-spec Mitsubishi Xforce is a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre 4A91 four-cylinder petrol engine – par for the course.
Here, the engine does 105 PS and 141 Nm, mated to a CVT automatic transmission that sends power to both front wheels. It’s definitely a more modern transmission compared to the Xpander’s four-speed unit.
Driving Impression
Don’t let the powertrain combination fool you, because the Mitsubishi Xforce hides some clever tech beneath the fancy skin.
Despite being a front-wheel drive model, the Xforce offers Active Yaw Control (AYC) – the same AYC that made its debut on the Lancer Evolution IV back in 1996. Marketing terms aside, AYC is essentially torque vectoring, with the system actively shuffling torque between the left and right wheels.
What sets the Xforce apart from its core rivals is its drive modes – Normal, Wet, Gravel, Mud. Wet Mode, according to Mitsubishi, was developed specifically for Southeast Asian roads and weather conditions, engineered to provide optimum grip when conditions are wet.
While the Toyo Proxes CR1 tyres aren’t much to write home about, they did the job without much fuss, even with torrential rain that the Xforce was subjected to – providing sufficient grip even when conditions are less-than-ideal.
Then there’s the fact that the Mitsubishi Xforce is very easy to adapt to. The seating position is nice and tall, giving drivers a very good view ahead. Coupled that with the light steering and excellent visibility, maneuvering the Xforce in tight spots isn’t an issue at all.
Couple that with the physical climate controls and it’s a relative breeze to get used to the Xforce. That said, we do wish if Mitsubishi could revise the fan speed controls to separate the difference between increasing and decreasing fan speed. Having both with the same finishing could get confusing without looking at said controls.
Ride comfort is on the softer side, as the Xforce does soak up most road irregularities well enough. However, the 18-inch wheels and 50-series rubbers do amplify some road roughness into the cabin; we reckon that a smaller wheel combo may alleviate that.
Despite having D-segment-sized 18-inch wheels, the Xforce is surprisingly fuel efficient. With a disciplined right foot, we managed to get the trip computer to read a low 5.6 L/100 km (17.8 km/L) – right on the dot quoted by MMM under the Malaysian Driving Cycle (MDC). The Xforce HEV, which isn’t sold here, is even more impressive, as it is claimed to deliver 4.09 L/100 km (24.4 km/L) under the UN R101 test cycle (identical to MDC).
The top-spec Ultimate variant we sampled is equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which is courtesy of its monocular camera and millimeter wave radar. While ACC and the other ADAS features (Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lead Car Departure Notification (LCDN)) worked well during our time with the Xforce, we notice that the B-SUV curiously lacks Lane Keep Assist (LKA).
It’s not MMM’s fault that the Xforce lacks LKA; they can’t add it even if they wanted to, as LKA isn’t available on Xforce models sold overseas. Even the more expensive not-sold-in-Malaysia Mitsubishi Destinator lacks Lane Keep Assist.
Conclusion
Other rivals may offer more practical cabins with multi-function folding seats, but what the Xforce counters that with a much nicer-looking cabin with nice materials and an impressive sound system.
We also appreciate the physical climate control buttons, as some rivals offer a fully touch-based control system for their B-segment SUV.
Plus, not having internet connectivity in the head unit isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker. Granted, it limits the potential of a smartphone app, but at the same time, there’s no need for recurring monthly data plans once the initial plan has expired.
The Mitsubishi Xforce may not have a hybrid or turbocharged powertrain like some of its rivals, but for where it matters most, the Xforce nails it, and nails it well.
2026 Mitsubishi Xforce Photo Gallery
