Mitsubishi ASX SUV (2010 - )

INTRODUCTION:

Mitsubishi launched the ASX in 2010 to capitalise on the boom in crossovers, making the vehicle look like a shrunken 4x4, rather than the two generations of Space Runner MPV that preceded it. As it is already a long-serving car, the ASX has been through two rounds of updates, the first coming in 2015 when a new diesel engine was drafted in and another in 2018 to give the car a freshly-designed front end. The ASX is sturdy and reliable, although it’s not hugely stylish – and as it competes in the hotly-contested and image-conscious B-segment crossover market, that’s a bit of a problem.

MODEL RANGE:

There has always been a simple-to-understand line-up of ASX models in Ireland. Here, we don’t officially get either all-wheel drive or an automatic gearbox, unless 2.2-litre cars have been imported from the UK. So, all ASX s are front-wheel drive and manual, with a normally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine with 117hp serving the model throughout its life. On the diesel side, there was originally a 1.8-litre DI-D four-cylinder unit with 150hp, but that was replaced with a smaller, more modern and Peugeot-sourced 1.6-litre DI-D turbodiesel with 114hp in 2015. Petrol cars have a five-speed gearbox, while the diesels are equipped with six-speed transmissions. Trim lines were originally also Instyle and Intense, but now Mitsubishi only sells the ASX in one well-equipped specification under the Intense moniker.

BEST BUY

Realistically, we don’t often recommend diesel over petrol power unless you do high mileage per annum, but with the ASX , the diesel makes more sense. Even though it has less power, the diesel has much more torque so it is far better to drive in daily traffic conditions. It’s also a lot better on fuel, while its six-speed manual gearbox makes it more refined at cruising speeds.

THE NUMBERS

Mitsubishi ASX 1.6 DI-D

Engine: turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel

Power: 114hp

Maximum speed: 180km/h

0-100km/h: 11.5 seconds

Fuel consumption: 4.6 litres/100km

CO₂: 119g/km

GOOD POINTS:

 • Lots of equipment

 • Reliable and sturdy

 • Comfortable driving in town

BAD POINTS:

 • Limited engine choice

 • Lack of overall excitement factor

 • Bland exterior styling

SUMMARY:

The Mitsubishi ASX is a no-nonsense compact crossover in a marketplace awash with more obviously stylish and youth-oriented products. While it does nothing particularly wrong, the ASX also isn’t very memorable in any single regard and it’s therefore a vehicle that’s simply there making up the numbers in a competitive automotive class. One final selling point, though, is the eight-year/150,000km warranty Mitsubishi offers on all of its cars in Ireland.