After 15 years on sale the current Mitsubishi ASX is headed for retirement.
Mitsubishi Australia has been searching for a replacement for its ageing small SUV, and has found it in the form of the new ASX available in Europe that is based on the Renault Captur.
The writing was on the wall of the current ASX with changes to Australian Design Rules (ADRs) from March 1 this year meant it needed expensive upgrades to its auto emergency braking technology. The sums didn’t add up and the Captur-based alternative became the go-to option.
The same issues has resulted in the ending of the current Eclipse Cross compact SUV, and Pajero Sport off-roader.
Production has already wound up, but Mitsubishi has secured enough stock to see the brand through most of 2025 according to Mitsubishi Australia boss Shaun Westcott.
The new ASX is going to spearhead a massive range overhaul for Mitsubishi as part of its Momentum 2030 plan, said Westcott.
“We have a lot of good product coming, there are a number of significant new models and products in that plan. So we are actually quite excited about the next couple of years.”
“The new Mitsubishi ASX blends thoroughly modern design and a dynamic driving experience to the next generation of ASX customers,” said Westcott.
“We look forward to sharing more details of this intriguing new SUV as we move closer to its market launch in 2025,” he said.
The update brings significant upgrades to the fast-selling small SUV.
Mitsubishi Australia hasn’t confirmed the model line-up, but in Europe the vehicle comes with the choice of hybrid, mild hybrid or petrol power.
The hybrid variant uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with two electric motors — one for the alternator-starter and the other to drive the wheels — to make 143kW and drink about 4.7L/100km.
Importantly, emissions are about 106 grams of CO2 every km, which is well below the threshold set by the federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) that came into effect this year.
The NVES will penalise carmakers $100 for every gram of CO2, per vehicle, a car emits over a certain threshold. This threshold lowers every year until 2030.

Its hybrid set-up is likely to bring improved responsiveness and polish to its performance compared to the 2.0-litre unit found in the current versions. Fuel use is a massive drop from the current model’s claimed 7.6L/100km.
The mild-hybrid version uses a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine with a small electric motor to power the started motor and some electric systems. It drinks 5.9L/100km and emits 134g/km of CO2 and is unlikely to be a long term solution to NVES.
The other option is a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 91kW, drinks 5.9L/100km and emits 134g/km of CO2.
It’ll also have improved in-car tech and safety equipment and thoroughly modern styling compared to the outgoing version.
It is unlikely the European-sourced and hybrid-powered ASX will remain the same price leader the current ASX has been in the company’s showrooms.

Westcott said the brand’s products are more than just a sticker price with the total value Mitsubishi provides in its products an important factor.
“So part of the strategy we have is to demonstrate the value that you get in our product,” said Westcott.
“We want to definitely make sure that people understand that we are a value for money brand, and that value is more than just price.
"That’s the quality of the build, the quality of the products, the reliability of the products and that’s where we are going to focus," he said.
Westcott also pointed to the brand’s 10-year warranty and capped price servicing program and that it has the second largest dealer network in the country, which adds value and reassurance for customers.