Mitsubishi ASX ES 2023 Review

The 2023 Mitsubishi ASX range spans from $23,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level GS in five-speed manual guise, all the way up to the range-topping Exceed that starts at $34,740 plus ORCs.

Here, we’re testing the second-tier ASX ES, priced from $27,490 plus ORCs, offered exclusively with a 2.0-litre petrol engine and CVT auto.

That’s still less than an auto-equipped entry-level ASX at launch in July 2010, which goes some way to explaining the enduring popularity of this long-running small SUV.

It’s no longer the best-selling model in the fast-growing class, which is today dominated by the Chinese-built MG ZS and has more than 20 competitors clamouring for attention, including the excellent Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-30 and Kia Seltos.

There’s just enough to get you by in the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX ES.

You might not get keyless entry or push-button start, but standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, LED headlights (with dusk sensor), LED daytime running lights and fog lights, rear parking sensors, cruise control and a rear spoiler.

The interior is basic, with black cloth upholstery spanning all five seats, single-zone climate control, a lidded centre arm rest, and a distinct lack of soft touch-points around the cabin.

Our tester’s dazzling Red Diamond paint job adds $940 to the bill, while metallic hues (black, blue, silver and titanium) are a $740 option. Solid white is the only no-cost colour option.

That brings as-tested pricing to $28,430 plus on-road costs.

Mitsubishi covers all models with a five-year/100,000km warranty, extending to 10 years (but only 200,000km) if the vehicle is serviced exclusively through the brand’s franchised dealer network.

Those services are due every 12 months or 15,000km, and cost $299 for the first service, and $399 over the following four years.

Although a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating applies to variations of the ASX built up until December 31, 2022, the current 2023 Mitsubishi ASX is now officially ‘unrated’.

That’s because the most recent assessment was conducted way back in 2014, when the testing protocols were much less stringent than they are today, so the five-star rating is deemed out-of-date.

The next round of testing will only take place if a replacement model turns up, which could be next year but is not yet locked in.

Still, every version of the ASX comes standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, brake assist, hill start assist, forward collision warning, a reversing camera and seven airbags.

If more advanced driver assistance aids like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning or rear cross traffic alert are important to you, you’ll have to spend more and move further up the ASX line-up than the ES on test here.

Clearly, safety isn’t the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX’s strong suit, and as you might have guessed, neither is technology.

Again, there’s probably enough to satisfy many buyers, but the ASX ES won’t be winning any tech awards.

A central touch-screen measures up at 8.0 inches, offering AM/FM and digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It’s decent and offers basic functionality but lacks hi-res graphics.

You get a small coloured display within the instrument cluster, mounted between a pair of old-school analogue dials, and disappointingly it doesn’t offer a digital speed readout – a rare omission these days.

Elsewhere, the four-speaker sound system is average at best – it needs to be pumped up over halfway before you can hear much of anything, but a lot of that is due to other competing noises in the cabin, which we’ll get to in a bit.

Meanwhile, the grainy image provided by the reversing camera isn’t great, but it’s particularly poor in the rain, where the camera’s exposure to the elements means it gets dirty and wet easily.

Under the bonnet of the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX ES is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

That pairing produces modest peak outputs of 110kW of power at 6000rpm, and 197Nm of torque at 4200rpm.

The 2.0-litre can also be had with a six-speed manual transmission, but only in entry-level GS guise, which is the most affordable option in the ASX line-up (from $23,990 plus on-road costs).

A more powerful 123kW 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is also offered, but only on top-spec GSR and Exceed grades, where it’s also mated to a CVT auto.

Every version of the ASX is front-wheel drive.

The 2023 Mitsubishi ASX ES has an official combined-cycle fuel consumption rating of 7.6L/100km.

Around town we saw an average of closer to 10L/100km, but high-speed driving such as highway kays is where we managed to get closer to Mitsubishi’s claim, with a low of 8.2L/100km.

It’s not the most enthralling machine to get around in, but again, the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX ES gets the job done in a simple fashion.

Look beyond its sluggish powertrain – which rarely feels like it’s in any rush to build speed – and the ASX ES does a commendable job considering its age and (much) more modern opponents.

There isn’t quite enough power on board to worry about torque steer or wheel spin, and while the CVT is relatively smooth on the move, it creates a loud and whiney tune when you ask the small SUV to get going.

But it’s easy to drive, managing suburban duties without any real concern and cruising along at 110km/h easily, even if it takes a little longer than most to get there.

Steering feel is nothing to write home about, and poorly surfaced, pothole-ridden roads produce plenty of feedback through the wheel, where it tugs underhand.

The ride is comfortable for the most part, smoothing out most big bumps on the move, but sharper hits – or those edged-off speed humps you find in car parks – can feel harsh inside the cabin.

It’s not as tied-down or athletic as, say, a Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos or Mazda CX-30, but it’s not at the bottom of the class either.

As mentioned, the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX ES doesn’t offer the most exciting cabin.

The black cloth interior is fine, but there’s a distinct lack of cushioning to the front seats, making longer drives a little tiring.

Manual-adjust seats provide plenty of adjustability, as does the tilt/reach-adjust steering wheel, but there are hard plastics at just about every touchpoint. You never forget that it’s one of the more affordable variants.

Thankfully, vision is quite good in every direction, but we noticed a strange window-fogging habit in our ASX, where the front glass would almost immediately fog up entirely within 30 seconds of turning the car on.

At least we can say the front demister works well.

The second row is best reserved for two adults – or three smaller people – with decent space on offer. Headroom is above average and there’s enough legroom for adults, along with a centre arm rest with cup holders, but no door pocket storage, USB ports or air vents.

The boot is fairly generous for a small SUV, measuring up at 393 litres with the 60/40-split folding rear seat in place.

You also get a spare tyre under the boot floor, but it’s a space-saver.

In a world where truly affordable cars are becoming a rarity, the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX remains almost as popular with Aussies today as it has over the past decade.

That’s because it’s a budget-friendly option in ES form tested here, assisted by big brand value, a long warranty (albeit with conditions) and an overall package that delivers a fuss-free experience.

Now a teenager, the ASX is showing its age in many areas, but still has its good points that will see it finding favour with buyers for as long as it’s available.

2023 Mitsubishi ASX ES at a glance:
Price: $27,490 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 110kW/197Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 7.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 176g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Unrated