2023 Mitsubishi ASX new car review

New car shoppers that don’t want to take a punt on new Chinese brands can look at a cheap, tried and tested Japanese model with a unique perk.

The Mitsubishi ASX.

A wave of new Chinese car makers is muscling in on the affordable end of the market, putting pressure on established brands such as Mitsubishi.

We put the Japanese brand’s ASX small SUV to the test to see how it holds up.

Here’s everything you need to know.

The Mitsubishi ASX is one of the cheapest small SUVs on sale.

VALUE

The Mitsubishi ASX is cheap. The range starts off at $28,490 drive-away for the base GS and rises to $39,180 for the range-topping Exceed.

We tested the ES, the second cheapest model in the line-up, priced at $29,740.

It undercuts all mainstream rivals and even some newer Chinese players such as the $32,990 Chery Omoda 5, but it’s still more expensive than the cheapest MG ZS T ($26,990) and Haval Jolion ($25,990).

The bones of the Mitsubishi ASX are more than 10 years old and despite numerous facelifts, its styling feels tired.

Our ES had 18-inch alloy wheels, a big step up from the 16-inch steel units on the GS.

An eight-inch touchscreen is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and there are two USB charging ports. A four-speaker stereo isn’t much to crow about but more expensive versions gain a six-speaker unit.

It comes with a conditional 10 year warranty.

A big selling point is Mitsubishi’s conditional 10-year/200,000km warranty. To qualify, owners need to have their vehicle serviced at a Mitsubishi dealership every scheduled visit, otherwise it resorts to a sub-par five year/100,000km guarantee.

Ten years of capped price servicing costs $5020. That’s expensive but it’s worth it for an extra five years of warranty.

COMFORT

The ES’s cabin is a bare bones proposition without many of the hi-tech features offered by rivals.

The cloth-wrapped seats are comfortable but you’ll have to adjust them manually as only the top-spec Exceed has a power adjustable driver’s seat. The Exceed also adds heating for the front pair.

A plastic steering wheel and gear shifter feel hard and cheap compared to faux-leather wrapped examples in the competition. The rest of the cabin is dominated by hard wearing plastic surfaces as well.

The cabin is roomy, though, with plenty of head, shoulder and leg room. The back seat is serviceable for two adults, too.

The more affordable variants have a basic cabin.

Boot space is on the smaller side but big enough to fit the daily necessities.

It’s not the quietest cabin. Engine noise is intrusive, as is road noise at higher speeds.

SAFETY

The ES is light on safety tech.

It has auto emergency braking – which will hit the brakes for you if it detects a potential collision with another vehicle – and lane departure warning will let you know if you start to wander out of your lane.

You’ll need to jump up to the LS grade to gain useful items such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Seven airbags trump more fancied rivals. The ASX has no crash test rating as the original test was done almost 10 years ago and is now out of date.

DRIVING

The ASX’s non-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine makes 110kW and 197Nm and is matched to a CVT automatic transmission.

You’ll need to work the engine hard to gain access to the max outputs and it struggles when called upon to accelerate up hills or overtake at speed.

The CVT auto is noisy when pushed as it spins madly to find the right ratio to tap into the modest power and torque reserves.

A soft suspension tune makes for a comfortable commute, though, with passengers well cushioned against bumps.

There is noticeable body roll through corners and it isn’t the most agile when asked to change direction quickly.

Steering is vague and lacks feedback, which adds to the so-so drive experience.

Mitsubishi claims the ASX drinks 7.6L/100km, which is high compared to modern turbo engines.

VERDICT 3/5

Affordable SUV lacks polish and safety tech but benefits from potential 10 year warranty.

ALTERNATIVES

MG ZS T Vibe, from $28,990 drive-away

Packed with standard equipment and a punchy little turbo motor but drive experience lacks refinement.

Kia Seltos S, from $31,690 drive-away

More expensive and very basic inside but a more polished drive and an unconditional seven-year warranty.

Chery Omoda 5 BX, from $32,990 drive-away

Flash looking inside and out but has over intrusive safety tech and poor driving dynamics.

MITSUBISHI ASX ES

PRICE From $29,740 drive-away

ENGINE 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, 110kW and 197Nm

WARRANTY/SERVICING 10 years/200,000km, $1945 (5 years) or $5020 (10 years)

SAFETY Seven airbags, auto emergency braking, lane departure warning and cruise control

THIRST 7.6L/100km

SPARE Space saver

LUGGAGE 393 litres