What is it?
The Mitsubishi ASX is a compact crossover that first appeared in 2010.
Originally Mitsubishi had high hopes for the ASX. It was launched into a rapidly expanding market at a competitive price and benefitted from efficient engines and decent kit levels.
The automotive market took a turn for the worse, however, and an unfavourable exchange rate led to the ASX’s pricing creeping ever upwards.Consequently the initial forecast of 8000 sales per year was quickly revised down to 3000, partly due to a lack of money to spend on advertising, resulting in the ASX being a rare sight on UK roads.
Fast-forward to 2013 and Mitsubishi is pushing the ASX back into the limelight. The company has had a successful year, reputedly becoming the UK’s fastest-growing brand with substantial increases in sales figures thanks to new dealers, new product, increased customer spending and favourable exchange rates.
So, besides now being in a position to offer more competitive pricing, Mitsubishi has also set about revising some of the issues with the original ASX. The model line-up has been simplified, the rear suspension has been tweaked, additional sound deadening material has been installed and equipment levels have been improved - for example, entry-level models now feature Bluetooth connectivity.
Most notably the Mitsubishi ASX's powertrain line-up has been expanded this year with the addition of Mitsubishi’s own 2.3-litre diesel engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Output is rated at an adequate 148bhp and 266lb ft, which is sent primarily to the front wheels. A switchable four-wheel drive system allows drive to be sent to the rear wheels to boost traction and stability, when necessary.
This diesel is a relatively large displacement engine for a crossover the size of the ASX, which has a footprint smaller than that of a Ford Focus. Besides granting it decent performance, with Mitsubishi claiming 0-62mph in 10.8sec, it's also acceptably efficient since it doesn’t have to work particularly hard. The claimed average fuel consumption is 48.7mpg, while its emissions are rated at 153g/km of CO2 – meaning road tax of £175 per year. Both the engine and the transmission are well proven units, having being sourced from the current Mitsubishi Outlander.
Being the most powerful and costly powertrain option, as tested here, it’s predictably offered only in range-topping ‘4’ grade models. These, however, are well equipped and come with sat-nav, climate control, a reversing camera, cruise control, parking sensors, keyless entry, front and rear fogs, privacy glass and a panoramic roof.
Opting for the range-topping model does not necessarily entail a hefty price tag. An ASX in ‘4’ 2.2 Di-D 4WD Automatic specification, claimed to be the most popular by Mitsubishi, will set you back £23,899. That compares favourably to the likes of the Hyundai ix35, Skoda Yeti, Kia Sportage or outgoing Nissan Qashqai, all of which cost around or upwards of £25,000 in a similar specification.
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Test Drive
Just wanted to let you know that I had a test drive with the ASX4. I must say it really liked it. The size was great. Big on the inside but smaller than other cars on the outside! I'm only 5''2 and I found with the other cars like RAV 4, Hyundai IxX35 and the Evoque I could barely see over the front of the car. Also fully loaded ASX4 is a lot cheaper than the others. Thanks for your advise :) x
ASX4 2014 headlights
Everything seemed fine, but I am used to driving an automatic. I have booked another test drive for this.
I asked if the new 2014 model has led's incorporated in the head light system, as this will be a legal requirement in 2015. I was told that they were not, but there seemed to be some confusion as to being able to add them as an extra, or, if, they DID come with led's??!
Would you be able to answer this for me, as a picky female, this is important!
Also you put in your report that it has parking sensors and a camera, but it only has a camera.
I was told that Mitsubishi have decided that both are not needed. Back to the female thing again, I think they are!
RE: ASX lights and parking sensors
Hello there - apologies for the delay in responding. According to the documentation I have parking sensors are standard on 3 and 4 specification models (4 being the trim level tested here, which includes the camera as well). There may be some minor variations in specification, however, but the cars tested were reputedly representative of what's offered in 2014 models. Unfortunately I can't answer your question regarding daytime running lights (which sometimes take the form of integrated LEDs) at the moment - but I suspect the Mitsubishi has DRLs, but uses a low-beam headlamp or dimmed foglight to facilitate the feature instead of a separate lamp or LED array. You could find out on your test drive by making sure all the lights are off, with the car running, and looking at the front lamps. Hope that's a little help and that your test drive goes well.
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RE: Boot size
Lewis Kingston
We run a CR-V at the moment which has a very good load area. It goes back in a few months, though, and are looking at regular estate cars as they're cheaper to run.
Nice to get a response from the team, I think it's only you and Sutcliffe who manage it.
bomb wrote:Nice to get a
I'm sure Hilton does, too, and yes it is nice. There's a lot of nonsense and fighting in the comments section these days; it's good to talk about cars without wading through the mud slinging!
RE: CR-V
Good choice the CR-V, always been impressed by how easy they are to live with. Likewise, always pleasant to get responses from readers. Hope you have a good Christmas.