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I’ve been working as a motoring journalist for 13 years, and which means my profession began on the identical time this automobile was launched in Australia.
Sure, the Mitsubishi ASX remains to be on sale, and it has been – repeatedly – for 13 years now. This automobile is so superior in its years that it has seen not one however two security rankings expire.
It has additionally seen various spec modifications, line-up changes and facelifts over its tenure in Australia, however a few of its finest traits nonetheless stay: it’s nonetheless comparatively inexpensive, has actually well-packaged inside, and it has a extremely good status for reliability.
However would you – or must you – contemplate shopping for one in 2023, with so many new rivals providing massive advances in tech, inside design, worth and powertrains?
Learn on – you is perhaps shocked how effectively this automobile nonetheless stacks up.
How a lot does the Mitsubishi ASX ES price?
The ES grade is the second mannequin up the ladder in ASX-land, and as Mitsubishi has a little bit of a penchant for switching up the naming and specs of its trim strains for its… er… established nameplates, there have been a number of changes to the ASX trims.
Priced from $27,490 earlier than on-road prices, the ASX ES is presently marketed for $29,240 drive-away on the model’s native configurator, sneaking it in beneath that $30,000 barrier.
What are the closest-priced opponents? There are heaps, together with some fancier new fashions with much more tech and security spec customary, such because the GWM Haval Jolion, which begins off from $28,490 drive-away, and the Chery Omoda 5, from $32,990 drive-away.
The Kia Stonic is a bit nearer to the ASX on pricing, beginning at $24,990 drive-away by way of to $32,490 drive-away. Or you can additionally contemplate a Kia Seltos, however on the ES worth level you’d solely be getting right into a base mannequin S ($29,500).
See under for a dot-point rundown on the 2023 vary – you’ll discover the bottom mannequin model introduces a brand new moniker and it’s the one one provided with a guide gearbox as of late. Additionally gone is the ADAS reference for fashions with security package included – there’s a bit to cowl on that entrance within the sections to come back.
2023 Mitsubishi ASX pricing:
- Mitsubishi ASX GS guide: $23,990
- Mitsubishi ASX GS auto: $26,240
- Mitsubishi ASX ES: $27,490
- Mitsubishi ASX MR: $29,240
- Mitsubishi ASX LS: $29,990
- Mitsubishi ASX GSR: $32,240
- Mitsubishi ASX Exceed: $34,740
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Mitsubishi ASX ES like on the within?
Should you bear in mind what the ASX regarded like when it first launched, it’s not going to make you’re feeling uncomfortable whenever you slide again right into a current-gen mannequin – as a result of largely, it’s nonetheless the identical place.
The most important change in recent times has been the addition of a more recent 8.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is a fairly respectable unit and contains helpful buttons and dials for the primary features, plus it isn’t a type of ‘menus upon menus’ model techniques, as a result of it’s principally very primary.
That’s superb if you’re the form of one that simply desires to plug of their cellphone and drive, however for these wanting extra, there are higher choices on the market.
And the remainder of the inside therapy has the identical vibe: this can be a no-fuss, no-flash type of place. I can perceive it may very well be interesting if you happen to’re on the lookout for a automobile that’s extra of an equipment than a standing image… and also you in all probability fall into that class if you happen to’re severely contemplating an ASX.
This grade doesn’t have digital local weather management, however the air-conditioning management dials under the display do have temperatures indicated on them, they usually’re actually bloody straightforward to make use of, even when they do really feel just a little bit finances.
Up entrance the ES scores a pair of USB ports for charging, however no wi-fi charger – there’s a respectable little storage nook in entrance of the gear selector, and a pair of cupholders behind it, too, in addition to a guide handbrake.
The centre console bin has a mildly padded cowl on it, with an honest quantity of cupboard space and a 12-volt outlet in there, too. The doorways have respectable sized pockets with bottle cutouts as effectively.
This ES grade has a plastic steering wheel which isn’t the nicest to hold on to, and it’s additionally primary when it comes to the controls on supply – simply cellphone, quantity, and cruise buttons.
The motive force’s instrumentation features a digital display nevertheless it doesn’t have a digital speedometer, which I discover to be an actual annoyance – as I’m certain anybody who lives in Victoria would, too.
Within the second row, the ASX stays a better-than-average prospect when it comes to occupant house. With the driving force’s seat set to my place (I’m 182cm/6’0) I had sufficient knee room and foot room to be comfy, whereas head room can also be excellent.
Nonetheless, I put on dimension 12 sneakers and the decrease a part of the door aperture makes it a bit more durable than you would possibly count on to get out of the again seat gracefully.
The storage on supply may very well be higher – there are not any bottle holders within the doorways, and just one map pocket. Fortunately there’s a centre console armrest with cup holders, and a single map pocket.
Mother and father can be pleased with the child-seat lodging, with ISOFIX factors within the window seats and three top-tethers, although the center seatbelt within the again is a type of ones that comes down from the boot space. Not superb.
The boot stays a aggressive dimension, all these years later. At 393 litres, there may be simply sufficient house for a pram and a few purchasing baggage, or a weekend’s value of bags for a small household.
Below the boot flooring you’ll discover a space-saver spare wheel, and there are little storage areas rear of the wheel-arches, too.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Should you resolve on the GS, you’ve bought a selection of a six-speed guide or CVT computerized transmission. All different grades come customary with the CVT, and all 2023 Mitsubishi ASX fashions are front-wheel drive.
And if you happen to decide the GS, ES, MR or LS grades, it means you get a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine producing 110kW of energy and 197Nm of torque. Modest by trendy requirements, actually.
Then the GSR and Exceed fashions step as much as a 2.4-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which churns out about 12 per cent extra energy and torque than the bottom engine.
Outputs are quoted at 123kW and 222Nm, which once more are a bit slight for in the present day’s expectations.
How does the Mitsubishi ASX ES drive?
It’s what it’s.
I might in all probability go away it at that, as a result of this automobile has been round for thus a few years that it isn’t providing something new or groundbreaking when it comes to the drive expertise, however neither is it claiming to.
As a substitute, strategy the ASX with the mindset that this was a fairly respectable automobile to drive when it got here out over a decade in the past, however the market has modified a lot, and so many different manufacturers have improved the small SUV breed on the entire, the Mitsubishi is de facto feeling its age in 2023.
Let’s contemplate the powertrain in the beginning, which is satisfactory for the city commuter or freeway runner, with sufficient energy and torque to really feel not less than a bit higher than sluggish in stop-start site visitors.
It’s simply whenever you begin to ask extra of the engine, the CVT computerized actually exhibits its worst traits; making the engine whine and not likely including tempo to your progress in a hurried approach.
I’ll repeat although, that if you happen to don’t care about how a automobile drives, then it may very well be superb to your wants. It does go whenever you put your foot down – it’s simply that it doesn’t go quick or transfer with a lot refinement.
As for the opposite driving traits, the steering may very well be lots higher. It may be annoying – feeling a bit gluggy at occasions, and exhibiting some kickback in your palms, because the wheel will jostle about over bumpy highway surfaces.
It’s additionally inconsistent in the way in which it reacts, so it may be onerous to guage what would possibly occur subsequent whenever you’re making an attempt to steer at totally different speeds in numerous conditions.
The suspension isn’t too unhealthy when it comes to bumpy stuff, providing up an honest experience high quality regardless of additionally displaying loads of roly-poly nature in flexible bits.
Like every automobile on 18-inch wheels it may well discover a sharp edge and inform the occupants about it, nevertheless it’s not too uncivilised when it comes to general experience consolation.
Suffice to say, this isn’t nice to drive – however this isn’t being pitched as the driving force’s selection within the phase, both.
What do you get?
ASX GS highlights:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 16-inch metal wheels
- 4-speaker sound system
- LED headlights, daytime operating lights
- Reversing digicam
- Cruise management
- Energy home windows
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
ASX ES provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Entrance fog lights
- Automated headlights
- Automated high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Rear parking sensors
- Local weather-control air-conditioning
ASX MR will get:
- Black 18-inch alloy wheels
- Black grille, exterior mirrors
- Keyless entry, begin
- Pink inside stitching
ASX LS provides (over ES):
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Illuminated vainness mirrors
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel, shifter
- Keyless entry, begin
- Privateness glass
- Roof rails
ASX GSR provides (over MR):
- 2.4-litre 4cyl petrol engine
- Microsuede, leather-based upholstery
- Pink stitching
- Black headliner
- Aluminium pedals
- Paddle shifters
ASX Exceed provides (over LS):
- 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels
- Darkish Argent grille
- Auto-levelling headlights
- Leather-based upholstery
- 9-speaker Rockford Fosgate premium audio
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Panoramic sunroof
- Heated entrance seats
- 4-way energy driver’s seat
- Ambient lighting
MORE: 2023 Mitsubishi ASX worth and specs
Is the Mitsubishi ASX ES secure?
Get this – the Mitsubishi ASX has outlasted not one, however TWO security rankings.
The final one – a five-star ANCAP rating it acquired in 2014 – expired on the finish of 2022, and the score earlier than that (five-star score in 2010) ran its course by way of to 2016.
So, this one? No ANCAP score is relevant – which could rule it out for you, because it certainly has for a lot of fleet automobile prospects.
However even when it hasn’t bought a security rating, it nonetheless has some fairly good security inclusions, although as talked about above, the perfect bits are reserved for the dearer fashions.
Commonplace security options embody:
- 7 airbags incl. driver’s knee
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Ahead collision warning
- LED daytime operating lights
- LED headlights
- Reversing digicam
- Stability management
ASX ES provides:
ASX LS, GSR, Exceed add:
- Lane departure warning
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
It’s hardly on the forefront on security gear, then.
How a lot does the Mitsubishi ASX ES price to run?
Mitsubishi affords a 10-year, 200,000km guarantee – as long as you learn the superb print. You’ll have to service your automobile with the model’s dealership community to get that, in any other case the guarantee cowl is 5 years/100,000km.
Servicing is each 12 months or 15,000km, regardless of the engine or spec. The capped-price servicing plan extends out to 10 years/150,000km, with annual common over that interval understanding at $489 per service. Expensive.
There’s additionally 4 years of roadside help on supply, however once more – provided that you service your automobile with a Mitsubishi workshop.
Select the ES auto mannequin and the official mixed cycle gasoline use quantity is 7.6 litres per 100km, which is okay, however not near the small SUV benchmarks for gasoline financial system. Should you’re curious, the guide GS claims to make use of 7.7L/100km and the two.4L variations have consumption rated at 7.9L/100km.
Should you’re questioning what I noticed over per week of testing with the ES auto? I noticed a return of seven.0L/100km – sure, I smashed the official determine, however I did spend numerous time on the freeway commuting between the Blue Mountains and the Sydney CBD.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mitsubishi ASX ES
It isn’t nice, nevertheless it’ nonetheless surprisingly aggressive on the planet of small SUVs.
The Mitsubishi ASX ES stays well packaged, effectively priced, and has the potential for a protracted warranty-covered possession expertise that ought to, in principle, be comparatively hassle-free.
The ES grade specifically wouldn’t be my decide if I needed to get an ASX – I’d get the GSR – however for what this automobile affords, it’s nonetheless value a glance… if you don’t actually care about high-tech inside finishes, the newest security gear or the perfect driving expertise.
I do know – fairly a number of caveats there.
Click on the photographs for the complete gallery
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