2
0
Minivan; Built in Japan
  • 3-door van
  • 4-door wagon
  • transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,000 – $1,700*


1992 Mitsubishi Expo


1992 Mitsubishi Expo LRV


1992 Mitsubishi Expo interior


1992 Mitsubishi Expo interior


1994 Mitsubishi Expo interior

Pros:
  • All-wheel drive (Expo AWD)
  • Optional antilock brakes
  • Passenger and cargo room
Cons:
  • Acceleration (LRV/automatic)
  • Handling
  • Noise

Each breed of Expo is worth a look, and definitely versatile for passengers and cargo. But don’t expect too much beyond their practical merits.

Overview

Mitsubishi launched twin “mini-minivans” for 1992, sized between subcompact wagons and minivans. Expo was a 7-passenger wagon, with four swing-open side doors and a one-piece rear liftgate. Expo LRV seated five, with a body nine inches shorter, two front doors, a sliding right-rear door, and a rear hatch. A 116-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine powered the Expo, while a 1.8-liter four went into the LRV. Three models of each size were offered: base, Sport, and Sport AWD. The AWD version of either Expo had permanent 4-wheel drive; others were front-wheel drive. Plymouth marketed a variant of the LRV as the Colt Vista; Eagle called its version the Summit Wagon.

Yearly Updates

1993 Expo/Expo LRV
For 1993, most Expos got 20 more horsepower, as the 2.4-liter four rose from 116 to 136 horsepower–courtesy of a switch to four valves per cylinder. The base-model Expo LRV stuck with the 113-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine. A new base AWD version of the regular Expo joined the lineup, while the all-wheel-drive rendition of the LRV no longer was considered Sport-level.
1994 Expo/Expo LRV
A driver-side airbag went into ’94 models, set in a new 4-spoke steering wheel. The driver got a height-adjustable shoulder belt, but the front passenger kept a motorized belt arrangement. Expo lost its upscale SP models, but base Expos adopted some of their features as standard equipment. The LRV dropped to front-drive base and Sport models, abandoning the AWD edition.
1995 Expo/Expo LRV
Expo was unchanged in its final season. Few were sold.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive

In the first season of these two wagons, a 1.8-liter engine went into the smaller LRV, and a 2.4-liter into the regular Expo. A year later, only the base-model LRV kept the 1.8-liter engine. All other models carried the 2.4-liter, boosted to 136 horsepower. Either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic might be installed in any model.

ohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 1.8/112
Engine HP 113
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 116
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		24/29
24/29 		24.3
ohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.4/144
Engine HP 116-136
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 136-145
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic 		22/27
20/26 		25.1

Road Test

Pleasant and easy to drive, both Expos perform in a similar manner. While acceleration is adequate, climbing hills or passing with a full load can be exciting. Also, the LRV’s smaller engine lacks sufficient torque to keep the automatic transmission from frequent gear-hunting. We averaged 24.3 mpg with an LRV and 24.6 mpg with the Expo.

Wind noise is a problem above 40 mph, and road rumble is invariably noticed. Maneuverability is great for urban tasks, but cornering ability is modest. Tight corners produce marked body roll and tire squeal. On the plus side, you can expect a comfortably pliant ride. Both Expos tend to get blown around by strong crosswinds, though staying on course seldom becomes a problem.

Getting inside is no problem at all, and passenger space is plentiful. All around head room is nothing short of towering, and leg space in back is decent. The dashboard design is generally convenient, though the radio sits too low to see or reach easily.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1994 Mitsubishi Expo with automatic

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 3
30%
Fuel Economy - 6
60%
Ride Quality - 4
40%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 4
40%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Front - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Rear - 3
30%
Cargo Room - 6
60%

Other

Value - 4
40%

Total: 43

Specifications

3-door van
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
99.2 168.6 66.7 62.1
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
67.8 14.5 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
40.0 38.6 40.8 36.1
4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
107.1 177.4 66.7 62.6
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
75.0 15.8 7
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.3 39.3 40.5 37.7
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1993 Expo LRV 3-door van

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 3
60%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Engine misfire
Description: The engine may idle rough due to buildup of deposits on the idle speed control motor. (1992-95)
Engine misfire
Description: Automatic-transmission models may vibrate at idle due to the radiator being installed incorrectly. (1992-95)
Fuel pump
Description: The vehicle is sensitive to fuel starvation caused by a clogged in-tank filter. (1992-95)
Steering noise
Description: The front suspension may rattle or make popping noises because the dust boots on the upper ball joints wear out. (1992-93)
Paint/body
Description: Paint on the roof rack fades and peels. (1992-93)

Recall History

1992-93
Description: Automatic-seatbelt system may fail to operate correctly during crash.
1992-93 sold in Caribbean
Description: Shoulder-belt anchorage could remain at A-pillar when door was closed.
1995
Description: Clamping of radiator upper hose may be insufficient, possibly allowing hose to come out and lead to coolant leakage and subsequent overheating.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 22, 2014.
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