We test the new Mitsubishi ASX, a full SUV from 16,700 euros

The Mitsubishi ASX gets an update to keep putting up a fight among compact SUVs despite its age, and it does so with a very powerful weapon: its price.

It was back in 2010 when the Mitsubishi ASX arrived in our market. Compact SUVs were just starting to emerge, all trailing the Nissan Qashqai. Nobody could imagine what would happen next: SUVs in every segment of the market.

Throughout this time, the ASX, the most important model for the Japanese brand, ahead of the Outlander, has sold more than 50,000 units in our market. Since 2015, it has always exceeded 6,000 units per year. And that is despite there being more and more competition.

Now, the Mitsubishi ASX faces what will be its fourth and final update before a successor arrives. Changes that, as we will see, are not only cosmetic. And that allow the Japanese SUV to hold its ground against cars such as the Opel Mokka X or the Skoda Karoq, to name just a few of its main rivals.

What changes on the Mitsubishi ASX’s exterior

With a length of 4.36 metres, a width of 1.77 and a height of 1.64, the ASX is one of the smallest compact SUVs, or one of the largest small SUVs. Its advantage is that, in the end, what defines its position in the market is its price, lower than most of the rivals it would compete with on size.

On the outside, the changes in this update suit it much better than the three previous ones. They are still aesthetic modifications, more or less profound, leaving “what’s inside” untouched. Yet it seems we are facing a completely new ASX.

The credit goes mainly to the imposing grille, now much sportier. But the bumpers, the bonnet, the light clusters… also change. By the way, there are now Bi-LED headlights at the front, which light the road very well, as we could verify during our first drive in Valencia, in very adverse weather conditions. At the rear, the lights are now LED.

There are also new underbody protectors, and two previously unavailable body colours are added to the 7 already on offer. The overall picture is rounded off by the new-design alloy wheels, 16 inches with 215/70 tyres on the entry-level Challenge trim and on the Spirit version, and 18 inches with 225/55 tyres on the rest.

Interior: new screen, more connectivity

The small touches to the ASX’s interior also serve to modernise its image and keep it current… and functional. Beyond improved materials, new upholstery, and the large panoramic roof (on the higher trims) with dimmable LED ambient lighting, what those who look at the Mitsubishi ASX, drawn by its competitive price, will truly appreciate is the new multimedia system.

The screen grows from 7 to 8 inches, and it is now easier to move through the menus, with a faster operating system. Compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto solves the lack of an optional navigation system. Some controls have also been redesigned, such as those for the climate control.

Others remain the same and in the same position as when the ASX launched, such as the “info” button on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel, used to scroll through the trip computer screens. Or the instrumentation, which remains unchanged.

Interior roominess has not changed either. It is adequate for its size, although the just over 400 litres of boot capacity is a figure that many of its rivals easily surpass. With the rear seats folded down it can be extended to over 1,800 litres.

2.0 petrol engine with 150 CV

The 2020 Mitsubishi ASX also brings news under the bonnet. Initially available with petrol and diesel engines, at a time when an SUV without diesel engines had little or nothing to offer, now the ASX makes do with a single petrol engine.

The difference is that the modest 1.6 with 115 CV available in the last restyle gives way to the 2.0 with 150 CV used in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, although here it has no hybridisation of any kind.

It is a four-cylinder engine somewhat atypical for what is fashionable today, where “downsizing” is the norm: small displacements and turbos. It is a naturally aspirated engine, with indirect injection and a single camshaft, although it has 16 valves. And that does not stop it being a technically advanced engine, including MIVEC variable valve timing with continuous control of valve lift, for example.

The 150 CV arrive at 6,000 rpm, with a maximum torque of 195 Nm at 4,000 rpm. But what matters is its performance. And it clearly surpasses the previous 1.6. It allows the ASX to reach a top speed of 190 km/h, with a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration of 10.2 seconds in the 2WD with manual gearbox.

The 4×4 pays the price of the weight of all-wheel drive and the operation of the automatic gearbox, a CVT continuously variable transmission, more focused on comfort than sportiness, which makes this version up to 2 seconds slower in short-burst acceleration.

It should be highlighted here that the 2.0 engine stands out for its smoothness and a very linear power delivery. The result would be even better had Mitsubishi used a 6-speed gearbox instead of a 5-speed, allowing a slightly closer gear spacing. The CVT, however, seemed to work better than other gearboxes of this type, and can be operated in Sport mode via comfortable paddles on the steering wheel.
Important: fuel consumption.

No hybridisation and no ECO label

According to the WLTP cycle, the new Mitsubishi ASX 200 MPI claims an average consumption of 7.1 l/100 km for the manual 2WD, 7.8 for the automatic, and 8.2 for the 4×4, which is always automatic. During our test, over two different routes we measured an average of between 8.5 and 9 l/100 km in an automatic ASX without all-wheel drive. In a manual 2WD you can aim for between 7.5 and 8 l/100 km, closer to 8, and clearly approaching 10 on average if you do a lot of city driving.

As for driving, the ASX continues to deliver the qualities it has always shown since launch. It is an agile car, easy to handle, that feels manoeuvrable in town, light and responsive on the open road, and inspires confidence on motorway journeys, although the suspension is not especially smooth. This only becomes a drawback on very broken roads, or when driving over speed bumps in town.

Range, equipment, price and offers for the Mitsubishi ASX

Choosing an ASX is not complicated if you know your budget. The single engine is paired with four trims, Challenge, Spirit, Motion, Kaiteki and Kaiteki+, with no further variations beyond those shown in the price table. The two entry-level versions, Challenge and Spirit, come with 2WD and a manual gearbox.

With the Motion and Kaiteki trims, drive remains 2WD, but the transmission is automatic. And if you want 4WD you can only opt for the top-of-the-range trim, the Kaiteki+, which is also paired with the automatic gearbox.

These are the prices for the 2020 Mitsubishi ASX range, taking into account that the current promotion includes a discount of 4,600 euros, plus 2,400 euros for signing up to the brand’s financing programme.

• ASX 200 MPI Challenge 2WD: 16,700
• ASX 200 MPI Spirit 2WD: 18,700
• ASX 200 MPI Motion 2WD Auto: 20,700
• ASX 200 MPI Kaiteki 2WD Auto: 22,000
• ASX 200 MPI Kaiteki+ 4WD Auto: 25,700

The Challenge trim already comes with the essentials. The extra 2,000 euros of the Spirit include items such as privacy glass, auto-dimming interior mirror, keyless entry with push-button start, rear camera and multimedia system, plus various decorative details. It is the most recommendable ASX, and still (including the financing discount) comes in below 19,000 euros.

Also bear in mind that the equipment is practically fixed, with no option packs. And the safety and driver-assistance package, which includes frontal collision mitigation, lane departure warning, automatic lights and rear traffic alert, is only standard on the Kaiteki trims.

Image gallery of the Mitsubishi ASX 2020

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Technical specifications of this car

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