2022 Mitsubishi ASX Reviews

YOUNG urban couples and matured-aged empty nesters have a new model to choose from in the booming sub-compact SUV segment.  Mitsubishi has entered the market with the ASX, a funky crossover between a small hatch and a compact SUV.Mitsubishi Motor Australia Chris Maxted says it is the sub-compact SUV segment (Nissan Dualis, VW Tiguan and Hyundai ix35) that is the driving force behind a 33 per cent hike in compact SUV sales so far this year. "This sub-compact SUV blurs the lines between light passenger cars and SUVs," he says.  "This is an emerging market that's not yet established and mature."He says ASX stands for Active Smart Crossover, not Australian Stock Exchange, and that the choice of name came down to RVR, which is used in Japan, or ASX which is used in the rest of the world."We liked both names but went for ASX," he says.  Call it what you like, it is a sexy little urbanite that doesn't mind getting its fingernails dirty occasionally and has attractive features with competitive price tags.Engines and gearboxesIt arrives with a choice of MMA's first passenger car diesel engine, a 1.8-litre turbodiesel with fuel economy less than six litres per 100km, or the proven two-litre petrol from the Lancer.The petrol engine consumers 7.7 litres of fuel per 100km in manual and 7.9L/100km in CVT, while the manual diesel gets 5.8L/10km, which compares with the Colt's 5.6.  Maxted says the diesel engine is Euro 5 compliant with emissions of 145g/km."We won't be at that level in Australia until maybe 2013 yet this already meets those standards," he says.  The all-alloy diesel engine has the same 110kW of peak power as the petrol engine, but has more than 100Nm of extra torque.Maxted says a diesel auto - not CVT - is being engineered and will arrive in about 18 months. Styling and fit-outStyling is very similar to the Concept cX which debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The ASX has the Mitsubishi face with that big "wow" mouth and Volvo-like arrow-shaped bonnet and a much more shapely rear end than on the Outlander.Maxted says they used a lot of noise suppression material in the construction to make the cabin quieter.  Inside, the vehicle is more car-like than SUV with plenty of soft touch plastics on the dashboard, armrests and doorsills."It gives a passenger-car feel," says Maxted.  "This market is coming out of passenger cars and used to that sort of feel."Thankfully, all models have telescopic steering, making it the only car in the Mitsubishi range with that facility.  The rear seats have a 60/40 split and fold down flat, while the cargo area has tie-down hooks and a space saver spare under the flat carpeted floor.Maxted says a full-size spare is available at about $200 but it lifts the cargo floor level.  "Our research shows these customers want space, but the option is there for a full-size spare; same as what we do with Lancer," he says.PricingWhile the ASX is not as cheap as the Nissan Dualis entry model ($24,990) it is cheaper than Hyundai ix35 ($26,990), but comes in three models, while the Nissan, Hyundai and VW have two models each.There are seven colours options, mainly from the Lancer palette, but with Titanium and the hero colour Kingfisher Blue.  MMA is limited in supply to about 350 a month because of demand from Europe.However, Maxted says they expect to sell about 500 a month next year when they get better supply.DrivingIt certainly looks young and funky. Inside, it's almost sexy with that dimpled rubbery soft-touch trim. The name almost spells SEX.Driving dynamics don't quite live up to that sexy image, but they aren't far off.  It is a lively handler that doesn't have the usual pitch and roll associated with top-heavy SUVs.There is only light understeer in two-wheel drive and even less in four-wheel-drive mode.  Spring rates are progressive with a plush initial stroke that absorbs sharp country road jolts.It doesn't bounce around and carry on after a big hit, but can be unsettled over a serious of complex road irregularities.  In AWD mode, it punts along quite nicely down a shady dirt lane, but the stability and traction controls are too heavy handed. You will have to switch them off, especially for hill ascents or you will be scrambling for momentum.The petrol engine is a proven unit from the Lancer, but it needs to be stirred with a manual gearbox. The CVT is too slow to kick down a step when needed.  First and second gears are a bit short in the diesel and the box is a bit graunchy.The diesel engine is a lusty beast with strong torque from 2500rpm, but it's raucous and clattery at idle and under acceleration. Not as bad as some Mitsubishi diesels and it does smooth out and quieten down on the highway.Steering is a little numb in the centre, but gains feel as you wind in turn. There is light torque steer in the 2WD, and even lighter in the 4WD or Aspire. For an urban vehicle, the turning circle is too wide.The car has a solid feel with no squeaks, rattles or bangs, even on crusty forest trails. However, cabin noise is louder than expected with plenty of buffeting on the windscreen, tyre howl and that clattery diesel engine.One final niggle is the reverse gear which is a bit of a reach for people with short arms and awkward to engage as you have to pull up a shaft sleeve.  It's ok for double-jointed gorillas, but difficult for young women who will form a large percentage of target buyers.

ANOTHER grenade has been lobbed into the compact off-roader battlefield with the arrival of the Mitsubishi ASX.  The sector has boomed more than 30 per cent this year, with the likes of the Nissan Dualis and Suzuki Grand Vitara fighting for share with the recently arrived – and immediately popular – Hyundai ix35.The Mitsubishi ASX wants a big slice of that ground, and has been armed with a sharp and pointy price of $25,990 to do battle at the base level 2WD with manual gearbox ($2500 extra for the CVT). The 4WD is $31,990 and the top-spec Aspire is $36,990 – both with either six-speed manual or CVT transmission.Also in its arsenal are excellent quality and fit-out for that price, plus solid comfort and handling.  Mitsubishi expects to sell around 350 per month, but that number is limited by quota “The response from dealers suggests we could now do closer to 450 – if we could get them - but we’re constrained until the end of the year at least,” says Mitsubishi Australia’s sales vice-president Anthony Casey.He admits they underestimated demand for the vehicle, but says the global financial crisis was a strong factor in the decision.  “The problem is that you do these things 18 months out, and 18 months ago the world looked like it was going to hell in a handbasket - but that didn’t quite happen in Australia, of course,” Casey says.“But getting more than we’d originally planned for is going to be hard work.”  Casey says they’re not concerned that the ASX might poach buyers from the Outlander, but the Lancer hatch could fall victim.  If there is any cannibalisation, it will be on Lancer hatch - maybe 100 a month,” he says.The ASX has both diesel and petrol engines, with the latter being the 110kW/197Nm 2.0-litre, four-cylinder MIVEC petrol engine from the Lancer, mated to either a five-speed manual or a six-speed continuously-variable transmission (CVT) with paddle-shifters on the steering wheel.The diesel is an all-new – and all-Mitsubishi – 1.8-litre turbo unit, with 110kW and 300Nm being delivered via a six-speed manual transmission. The Outlander has donated its three-mode electronic four-wheel drive system, that allows you to switch between front-wheel, all-wheel and locked modes.The diesel manual 4WD is the economy winner at 5.8L/100km, with the 2WD using 7.7L in manual and 7.9L in CVT versions, while the 4WD with CVT comes in at 8.1L. Stop-start technology is available in Europe, with a brake regenerative system capturing energy for the battery during deceleration and braking.But it is tied to smaller engines than the ones we’re getting, and Mitsubishi product manager Craig Maxted says there’s little fuel economy benefit. “Over there, it’s been used mainly to improve emissions, and it doesn’t do a lot for fuel – about 0.2L/100km less is all,” Maxted says.The ASX was seeded from the cX concept that was unveiled in 2007 at Frankfurt motor show, and developed on the Outlander platform – sharing that baseline with the brand’s hero performer, the Lancer Evolution.It’s 34.5cm shorter than the Outlander and at around 1450kg is some 200kg lighter, but there are similar styling cues around the front from the Mitsubishi family face, however at the rear it has a much neater look, although it misses out on the sibling’s handy split-fold tailgate.Mitsubishi has put some effort into the cabin, which punches above its price point’s weight with quality plastics and a stacked equipment list. Standard kit includes telescopic steering column, stability control, hill-start assist, anti-skid brakes with brakeforce distribution and assistance for extra help.Mitsubishi expects to win five safety stars in crash-testing being done now, helped by a strong body with ‘crush box’ crumple zones and standard fitment of seven airbags, including a driver-knee one. The spare is a space saver, but there’s a full-size option available - although it cuts into the floor space.The ASX is designed for comfort rather than speed, and delivers on that promise. While they’re on the flattish side, the seats are firm but supportive. And the interior is filled with quality soft-touch finishes that lend an almost premium hint – and shame one or two of its higher-priced rivals.The cabin is quiet and well-isolated from all but the worst bumps and vibration. There’s some air rush around the windscreen at highway speeds, but aside from that no noise intruded except over the kind of coarse-chip bitumen that no amount of noise damping can save you from.The diesel has the better torque, but is a bit clattery from idle, although that improves as you wind it up. Our vote went to the 2.0-litre petrol, but with the CVT automatic transmission, you need to keep the revs up above 3000rpm to stir it along with any real urgency, but the steering wheel paddles make this an easy task.The manual naturally has more luck in keeping the engine stirred up, but while it was a fairly smooth shift we couldn’t get to like the touch of notchiness – and the stretch for fingers trying to reach for the reverse ring on the shaft. Mitsubishi is confident that the female buyers (towards whom it believes the sub-compact class is skewed) will head for the automatic transmission.Although the ride is remarkably comfortable, the ASX doesn’t feel sluggish, with good turn-in from decently-weighted steering. While the suspension is set up to aid comfort, there’s far less body roll than in some of its rivals, and the brakes pull it up neatly.  Overall, it’s a stable and confident performer, and is kitted out far better than you’d expect for the price.

stylingsharp drivingrefinementno price yetCVT gearboxneed to push revsNothing is more important to Mitsubishi, right now, than its all-new RVR. It's the most important new arrival since the latest Lancer, which has now been in showrooms for around five years. The RVR - or ASX, for Active Sports Crossover, also being