Mitsubishi ASX review

The Mitsubishi ASX compact SUV first appeared in 2010, featuring angular headlights, chrome highlights around the grille, and creases on the bonnet and along the flanks. It’s had a couple of facelifts since then – one in 2015 and another in 2019 – the latter giving it a much more up-to-date look. This is the version you’ll find most of for sale on cinch, and probably the looker of the bunch. 

Every model has alloy wheels and chrome-effect highlights, some with roof bars. Older, pre-facelift trims ran from ‘2’ to ‘4’. The latest cars come with two new trims Dynamic and Exceed, with the latter featuring a panoramic glass roof. 

Earlier ASX models had a choice of several engines when new – a 1.6-litre petrol and 1.6, 1.8 or 2.2 diesels. The facelifted version has just a single engine choice – a 2.0-litre petrol unit with plenty of power to keep up with traffic on the motorway.  

It features a five-speed gearbox as standard or an optional CVT automatic – the former sends power to the front wheels while the auto is a four-wheel drive. 

The ASX’s soft suspension does a fine job of absorbing ruts and potholes at lower speeds in towns and cities. The body tends to lean in bends and on roundabouts, like most of its SUV rivals. Unlike many of them, the four-wheel-drive versions of the ASX have genuine off-road ability. A compact SUV that can actually go off-road? Who would believe you?  

The 2019 facelift improved the ASX’s interior by introducing more soft-touch plastics to the dashboard, but it still looks a little ‘old school’ and lacks the flair of the Peugeot 2008. Everything’s well screwed together, though, and the ASX feels like it’ll stand the test of time. 

The dashboard is dominated by a touchscreen with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. There’s also a sat-nav on the Exceed trim. As much as we love a gadget, we’re a big fan of its physical dials for the audio, which makes controlling things on the move easier, and the climate control dials that sit beneath this. You’ll also find a couple of USB ports and heated front seat buttons beneath. Most models also have a reversing camera to make parking a breeze. 

Settle into the easily adjustable driver’s seat and you and your passengers will enjoy a good view of the surrounding traffic, wherever you’re looking. The seats are surprisingly comfortable and supportive, and there’s plenty of room to stretch out upfront. The legroom will be a little tight for tall adults in the rear. The headroom is good unless the car has the glass roof fitted. At least the latter helps to make the interior bright and airy but it can’t be opened. 

Upfront, you’ll find door bins that’ll hold a bottle, a glove box, a cupholder and a cubby under the centre armrest. Storage options are more limited in the rear - although there’s some in the armrest and a pocket in the back of the front passenger’s seat. 

The ASX’s boot might not be as large as the Nissan Qashqai’s, and the rear wheel arches intrude a little, but it’ll take a couple of suitcases and some squashy bags. There’s very little boot ‘lip’ to speak of, which means items are easy to slide in, and the 60/40-split rear seat backs fold to create a flat extended load space. 

The most economical engine on older versions of the ASX is the 1.6-litre diesel, with a real-world economy of 55.0mpg possible in the front-wheel-drive guise. You’ll be lucky to get 40mpg out of the 1.6 petrol, while the newer model’s 2.0 petrol engine has been tested using the latest WLTP methods and averages 37.7mpg officially and 34.4mpg with the automatic gearbox (and therefore with 4WD).

We love the ASX’s styling – it’s purposeful and, on cars with all-wheel-drive, has the go-anywhere ability to back up the looks. We also like the fact that most models (and both trims in the newer ASX) are well-equipped as standard. Plus, the seven airbag and electronic stability system helped the ASX earn the maximum 5-star rating from crash safety experts Euro NCAP, boosting its appeal for families.