Verdict
At RM103,800, the five-seat GAC GS3 costs RM3,820 more than the RM99,980 Mitsubishi Xpander. The extra spend gets a 177 hp/270 Nm 1.5-litre turbo, a claimed 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time, plus autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring. The Xpander answers with seven seats, a 2,775-mm wheelbase, 495 litres of boot space and rear air-con vents with blower control. For a Malaysian buyer carrying adults and children regularly, those practical gains matter more than the GS3’s much stronger outputs.
Pick the GAC GS3 if you want 177 hp and 270 Nm, active safety assistance and a five-seat SUV layout.
Pick the Mitsubishi Xpander if you need seven seats, a 495-litre boot and rear air-con vents for family use.
Key differences
- Price: GAC GS3 RM103,800; Mitsubishi Xpander RM99,980.
- Power and torque: GAC GS3 177 hp and 270 Nm; Mitsubishi Xpander 104 hp and 141 Nm.
- Transmission: GAC GS3 seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic; Mitsubishi Xpander four-speed conventional automatic.
- Seats and boot space: GAC GS3 five seats and 341 litres; Mitsubishi Xpander seven seats and 495 litres.
- Wheelbase: GAC GS3 2,650 mm; Mitsubishi Xpander 2,775 mm.
- Tyres and wheels: GAC GS3 225/55R18 on 18-inch alloys; Mitsubishi Xpander 205/55R17 on 17-inch alloys.
GS3
- 177 hp and 270 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo engine.
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring.
- 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Five seats and 341 litres of boot space versus the Xpander’s seven seats and 495 litres.
- No rear air-con vents or blower control.
- Space-saver spare tyre instead of a full-size spare.
Xpander
- Seven seats, 495-litre boot and a 2,775-mm wheelbase.
- Rear air-con vents with blower control and six cup holders.
- Full-size spare tyre, front foglamps and folding wing mirrors.
- 104 hp and 141 Nm are well below the GS3’s 177 hp and 270 Nm.
- No autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist or blind-spot monitoring.
- Four-speed automatic versus the GS3’s seven-speed wet dual-clutch automatic.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM103,800 | RM99,980✓ |
| Body type | SUV | MPV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 104 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm✓ | 141 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 75 mm × 84.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 4AT |
| Gears | 7 | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,475 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,750 mm |
| Height | 1,600 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,775 mm |
| Weight | 1,370 kg | 1,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 341 litres | 495 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UC6 SUV | Bridgestone Ecopia 150 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Front Passenger) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Second row 60:40 Split Fold, Third row 50:50 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Manual Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used GS3 & Xpander for sale
GS3 vs Xpander FAQ
Is the GAC GS3 or Mitsubishi Xpander better?
The GS3 is better for stronger performance and active safety, with 177 hp, 270 Nm and autonomous braking. The Xpander is better for family carrying, providing seven seats, a 495-litre boot and rear air-con vents.
What is the price difference?
The GAC GS3 costs RM103,800 and the Mitsubishi Xpander costs RM99,980, so the GS3 is RM3,820 more expensive.
Which has more space, the GAC GS3 or Mitsubishi Xpander?
The Mitsubishi Xpander has more passenger and luggage capacity: seven seats, a 2,775-mm wheelbase and 495 litres of boot space, against the GS3’s five seats, 2,650-mm wheelbase and 341 litres.
