Mitsubishi ASX 2019 Review

The Mitsubishi ASX has been in showrooms since before Julia Gillard became Australian PM in August 2010, putting it well past the age at which most model generations are usually retired.

Yet it’s still the country’s most popular small SUV in one of the hottest segments of the car industry today, finding almost 20,000 homes every year since 2016 and making Australia one of the biggest ASX markets worldwide.

What’s the secret of the ASX’s enduring popularity in the face of newer rivals like the Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Kona, Toyota C-HR and Kia Seltos, and without the diesel and all-wheel drive powertrains offered by some rivals?

Mitsubishi says it’s the ASX’s generous mix of equipment and both interior and exterior dimensions (which place it in the middle of the small SUV segment) that attracts everyone from younger females and couples to older empty-nesters.

And it aims to add young males to that demographic list with the addition of two sportier new model variants that take their names from the discontinued Lancer (MR and GSR), for which the ASX has become a de facto substitute.

But keen pricing -- especially for fleet buyers, which account for 40 per cent of ASX sales – is also a factor in the success of Mitsubishi’s second best seller in Australia (behind only the Triton) and its third most important model globally.

Now, the third and most substantial upgrade for the Mitsubishi ASX in its decade on sale will extend its lifespan by another three years, bringing a new look, more safety, upgraded infotainment, extra standard equipment and a bigger new engine for some models.

There’s no return for the diesel or AWD options that disappeared in 2018 and are still available in the smaller and cheaper Mazda CX-3, its closest rival in terms of popularity.

And pricing for the MY20 Mitsubishi ASX is up, by $500 for the entry-level, volume-selling ES variant (to $23,990 plus on-road costs or $24,990 drive-away), and by $2000 for the flagship Exceed – now $32,990 plus ORCs or $35,740 drive-away.

But the latest ASX upgrade ticks more of the boxes that matter, starting with the most obvious change – design.

Differentiated by tougher new ‘dynamic shield’ front-end styling, the MY20 ASX’s exterior is new from the A-pillars forward and comprises new-look LED headlights across the range, plus a new bonnet and front bumper with black and chrome grille.

Also new for the MY20 ASX is autonomous emergency braking as standard across the range. AEB, or Forward Collision Mitigation in Mitsu-speak, was previously only standard from LS level upwards.

Employing a windscreen-mounted camera and laser, FCM detects -- and applies the brakes if there’s an imminent collision with – vehicles in front at speeds between 5-80km/h and pedestrians at 5-65km/h, and provides a visual/audible warning between 15 and 140km/h.

There’s still no digital speedo or lane-keeping system and FCM doesn’t include cyclist detection, so the ASX would not achieve a full five-star independent safety rating if tested by today’s standards (its five-star ANCAP rating was awarded in 2014).

But standard safety features across the range include seven airbags, reversing camera, stability/traction control, hill start assist and Emergency Stop Signal System, which activates the hazard lights during hard braking at speeds over 55km/h.

A range of other safety devices is standard from LS level and included in a $2500 ADAS option for the base ES CVT ($25,990 plus ORCs or $26,740 drive-away).

These include lane departure warning, lane change assist, blind-spot warning, reverse parking sensors, rear cross traffic alert, auto high beam, front fog lights and auto headlights and wipers.

Also new for the 2020 ASX range is a larger 8.0-inch (up from 7.0-inch) touch-screen infotainment system, which is now one of the biggest in its class and continues to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming and DAB digital radio.

So new standard equipment at base level includes AEB, LED headlights, an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, new fabric seat trim and the bigger multimedia touch-screen.

These join carryover ES items like 18-inch alloy wheels, LED front, brake, tail and reverse lamps, a rear spoiler with LED stop lamp, leather wrapped steering wheel, single-zone climate control, cruise control and power-folding door mirrors.

Next up is the new ASX MR variant ($27,490 plus ORCs or $28,240 drive-away), which is based on the entry-grade ES but adds a black grille, black alloy wheels, black mirrors, fog lights, red stitched leather trim for the steering wheel, gear shifter and park brake handle, keyless entry/start, aluminium pedals and privacy glass.

On top of the base ES spec, the mid-range ASX LS ($28,490 plus ORCs or $30,240 drive-away) adds push-button starting, roof rails, privacy glass and chromed interior door handles.

The cheapest model to score the ASX’s bigger new 2.4-litre engine is the new GSR variant ($30,490 plus ORCs or $32,240 drive-away).

The ASX GSR is based on the LS and scores a six-speed sports mode CVT with paddle shifters, rear roof spoiler, microsuede and fake leather seat trim with red stitching, black headlining and six-speaker audio.

Already seen in North America’s ASX, the 2.4-litre DOHC MIVEC four-cylinder now also powers the range-topping ASX Exceed ($32,990 plus ORCs or $35,740 drive-away), which also gains TomTom embedded sat-nav and new fabrics and trim for MY20.

Carryover Exceed extras include a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate premium audio system, panoramic sunroof, leather appointed seat trim, four-way powered driver’s seat, heated front seats, two-tone alloys, ‘dark argent’ grille and auto headlight levelling.

So only the GSR and Exceed come with the bigger engine, both priced over $30,000 and both fitted with a CVT auto. And only the base ES is available with a (five-speed) manual).

The MY20 ASX ES, LS and Exceed are available in showrooms now, with the MR and GSR to follow in December 18.

Exterior paint colours include White, Starlight, Sterling silver, Black, Lightning blue, Titanium, Red diamond and new Sunshine orange (pictured here; GSR and Exceed only).

Three genuine accessory packs are also available, including the $1699 Adventure kit, $999 Protection pack and $2199 Style set, comprising everything from roof racks to bonnet/headlight and tailgate protectors, nudge bar, cargo liner, scuff plates, weather shield, front/rear skid plates and carpet maps.

All models come with a five-year/unlimited-km warranty and capped-price service with roadside assist for $199 per 15,000km. Until the end of this year, Mitsubishi is offering the ASX ES, LS and Exceed with a seven-year warranty and two years of free servicing.

The Mitsubishi ASX is based on the Japanese car-maker’s ancient GS platform that dates back to 2005 and spawned the last Lancer, the larger Eclipse Cross and two generations of mid-size Outlander SUVs.

So it’s no surprise it doesn’t offer a cutting-edge dynamic experience, with overly light and uncommunicative steering and utilitarian suspension performance making it much less of a driver’s car than the CX-3 and newer foes like the Kona and Seltos.

Likewise, its bigger ‘new’ 4B12 2360cc DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder also dates back to 2005 and has powered a range of Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models.

It produces 123kW of power and 222Nm of torque – 13kW and 25Nm more than the 4B11-series 110kW/197Nm 2.0-litre MIVEC unit that was previously standard across the range.

So there’s a little more performance everywhere in the rev range, making the ASX Exceed we drove a bit more pleasant to drive thanks to the extra step-off and midrange urge.

But fuel consumption is 0.3L/100km higher at a relatively thirsty 7.9L/100km and we can’t help thinking how much more fun the ASX – particularly in sporty black-look GSR guise -- would be to drive with a manual transmission rather than the standard CVT, which isn’t one of the best examples we’ve tested.

That said, nobody buys a city-SUV primarily for it chassis and engine performance, and nobody in the market for the ASX will be disappointed with the performance of either the 2.0- and 2.4-litre ASX.

Beyond the bold new look, what they will appreciate are the bigger 8.0-inch touch-screen with all the latest connectivity functions, the potentially life-saving safety of AEB for all models and other new standard features.

And because the ASX shares its 2670mm wheelbase with the bigger Eclipse Cross and Outlander it’s better packaged inside, where it offers more cabin space than most small SUVs but also more hard plastic surfaces.

The Exceed’s big, bassy sub-woofer might rob some boot space and there’s no full-size spare underneath, but cargo capacity extends from a generous 393 to 1193 litres with the rear seats folded.

With just 1380kg to haul around and a 10.6m turning circle via an electrically-assisted, multi-function and fully adjustable steering wheel, the ASX is a doddle to park.

And like all of its ilk, the slightly taller ride height delivers a commanding view of the road and makes getting in and out a cinch.

User-friendliness is still the key word here and with a bold new look and the addition of important safety and multimedia tech, the ASX could well dominate the small SUV landscape for another three years.

It may be a geriatric in automotive terms, but the MY20 Mitsubishi ASX is new in exactly the right areas and the option of a bigger engine and sporty new MR and GSR versions will add some welcome spice.

How much does the MY20 Mitsubishi ASX cost?
Price: From $23,990 (plus ORCs)
Engine: 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 110kW/197Nm and 123kW/222Nm
Transmission: Five-speed manual and CVT automatic
Fuel: 7.6L/100km (2.0 CVT), 7.9L/100km (2.4 CVT)
CO2: 176g/km and 186g/km
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2014)