Mitsubishi ASX Aspire 2010 Review

Mitsubishi ASX Aspire

Road Test

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $36,990
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Metallic paint $450, panoramic sunroof $800
Crash rating: five-star (ANCAP, based on 2WD)
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 5.9
CO2 emissions (g/km): 155
Also consider: Kia Sportage Platinum, Nissan Dualis diesel (if it arrives)

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 3.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.5/5.0
X-factor: 4.0/5.0

For those who thought compact SUVs couldn't get any softer, Mitsubishi has news for you -- in the form of the ASX. Recently released in Australia, the ASX is sort of a super all-rounder that straddles the VFACTS light and small car segments, yet Mitsubishi has dropped it in with the compact SUVs.

The fact that the ASX can make the jump and compete against traditional light cars points to two issues for Mitsubishi. Firstly, the Outlander may be too large and too pricey against some of its rivals. Secondly, the ASX could cannibalise sales from the company's 'de jure' entry in that segment, the Colt.

The ASX will just make the situation harder for Colt, unless buyers drawn to new-car showrooms by the ASX purchase the cheaper Colt instead....

Anyway, enough about Colt. The ASX Aspire tested came to us with diesel, manual (six-speed) transmission and four-wheel drive. From the off the engine exhibited negligible turbo lag and delivered plenty of performance. It was plainly a diesel, by its common-rail purr, but remained quite refined.

Straight line performance was assisted by the relatively low-ratio gearing in the transmission. The gear ratios were set up more along the lines of a box for a peakier petrol engine, rather than a diesel slogger. There were enough ratios, however, for the ASX to be a relaxed cruiser at freeway speeds.

On the open road, owners can expect a fuel consumption figure as low as 5.5L/100km -- perhaps even less. Even around town, the diesel ASX was pretty frugal and most drivers will regularly see consumption fall below 8.0L/100km (or even below 7.0L/100km potentially), unless they're stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic twice a day -- and nothing else.

The gear shift was light to use and fairly precise. It's a foolproof shift, but hampered slightly by the way the engine's power spools up and drops off the boil. To shift smoothly requires time and finesse, but drivers will quickly grow used to it.

Brakes were strong and progressive, but a bit touchy from the initial push of the pedal. Handling was closer to neutral at higher speeds, but tended to push in the tighter corners. The steering was a pretty good match for the car's grip and handling, offering decent feedback and respectable weight.

Handling and steering come somewhat at the expense of ride comfort. Perfectly adequate over smaller bumps and on smoother-surfaced roads, the ASX's ride deteriorated when asked to absorb potholes and larger undulations. At least the car's reasonably adept suspension also brought with it flatter roadholding to offset the firmer ride.

Despite the switchable 4WD and locking centre diff (by a rotary dial in the centre console), the ASX is not really designed for offroad work. While the ASX looks like a compact SUV, it's really soft offroad. It failed to reach the top of one grade that a Hyundai ix35 managed to crest -- and the ix35 is not a real bush-basher either. The ASX has the power and torque from its diesel engine to play the part, but there's insufficient traction, no dual range transfer and its ground clearance is inadequate, which conversely lends the ASX a conventional passenger-car feel on the road at least.

The ASX is an impressive design where packaging is concerned. Boot space is in the same ballpark as one of the better-designed light cars and will match a few small cars for volume also.

In the rear, there's plenty of room (headroom and kneeroom) for adults. You won't necessarily stretch out far, but most adults could readily survive a longer trip in the back seat of the ASX. Yet for all that, it's a tiddler of a car to park and it's easy to enter and exit, thanks to the appropriate H-point.

The leather-trimmed seats in the test vehicle seemed a little flat. While they were passable for support and comfort, we've sampled better. With features like keyless entry, Bluetooth, the Rockford Fosgate audio and infotainment touchscreen, the ASX in Aspire trim is well equipped.

The Bluetooth system pairs rapidly with a mobile phone and without fuss. Some users will miss a rotary knob on the centre fascia to control audio system volume, but there are buttons located on both the touchscreen and the steering wheel to increase or decrease volume.

All in all, Mitsubishi's ASX is a competently designed grab-bag of features and packaging with appeal to a broad range of buyers. It's well specified and does pretty much anything one could reasonably ask of it.

With that direct-injection diesel and four-wheel drive, the ASX would be a dependably safe car for a trip to the snow. At other times, it's frugal to run around town and remarkably easy to park in tight spots, while giving nothing away in spaciousness.

The ASX would be an appropriate choice for young singles, young families, empty-nesters and retirees... Practically anyone -- other than offroading enthusiasts that is...

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