Mitsubishi eK X EV 2024 Review

If it was as simple as calculating the currency exchange rate, the 2024 Mitsubishi eK X EV could be the cheapest electric vehicle to hit Aussie roads, with a potential starting price of $30,000 plus on-road costs.

That could make Mitsubishi’s battery-electric micro-car a worthy rival for Australia’s most affordable EV, the GWM Ora, which boasts a $35,990 drive-away price tag.

But it’s not as simple as hitting up the currency converter and Mitsubishi Australia isn’t speculating at this stage. It’s brought a single example of the eK X EV to these parts for use in clinics with consumers, to show to dealers and to ultimately decide whether to launch the boxy electric kei car here.

It’s not the first time Mitsubishi has dabbled in the micro-EV segment in Australia – it got the ball rolling, in fact. In 2010, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV was the first EV in Australia, but it was expensive at about $50,000, had a theoretical driving range of just 160km (turning out to be 100km or less in the real world) and attracted only a few hundred (mostly fleet) buyers before bowing out in 2013.

A lot has changed since then.

Let’s start with its dimensions. Defying its city-sized proportions, the tardis-like interior of the four-seater 2024 Mitsubishi eK X EV is reminiscent of a long-lost gem… the Honda Jazz.

Could the eK X EV fill that hole, with zero emissions being the icing on the cake? The potential is certainly there.

The Mitsubishi eK X EV utilises every inch of interior space, amplified by a flat floor and large glasshouse. It feels truly cavernous, and comfortable too.

Despite the lack of steering wheel reach adjustment, drivers short and tall will soak up the ample headroom, legroom and knee-room for a good driving position.

The eK X EV’s 20kW lithium-ion battery is good for a claimed 180km on a full charge. A maximum of 47kW and 195Nm is sent to the front wheels via a single-speed reduction gear. And the power delivery is good – smooth and immediate.

Behind the wheel, the eK X EV never feels its diminutive proportions, not even at freeway speeds. The EV’s 1080kg mass holds strong and steady on the road for a surprisingly confident feel at the wheel, with good steering feedback and great outward vision.

Clever storage compartments are found across the cabin, including an open shelf, glove box and pull-out drawer system. It’s both funky and functional.

The 9.0-inch infotainment screen is shared with the Mitsubishi Outlander and mimics its user-friendly nature while ticking the boxes for important mod-cons such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a multi-view camera and satellite navigation.

The 7.0-inch digital instrumentation panel is home to important EV-specific data such as battery status and energy consumption. A USB-C, USB-A and a 12-volt outlet have your charging needs sorted.

Single-zone climate control and heated front seats and steering wheel are controlled via a dedicated panel conveniently positioned below the infotainment screen.

Vehicle-to-load functionality and vehicle-to-home compatibility also feature on the eK X EV.

The second row’s flat bench seat is fit for just two occupants or two child seats via ISOFIX fixtures. There’s an abundance of room in all directions and amenity includes two cup holders and one back-of-seat pocket and dual storage nets for small handheld devices.

A small boot space becomes more flexible with 50/50-split folding rear seats. Laid flat, carting a mountain bike seems doable. An underfloor storage compartment is home to a tyre inflator kit (no spare) and charging cables.

One of the biggest difficulties with the 2024 Mitsubishi eK X EV is its current inability to meet the requirements for a maximum five-star safety rating under the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

As explained by Mitsubishi Australia chief executive Shaun Westcott: “This is a bigger discussion. I’m not anti-ANCAP, but the reality is that car meets Japanese safety regulations, but it does not meet ANCAP five-star.

“We would probably get a three-star rating under ANCAP.”

The Mitsubishi boss went on to question the steadfast opinion of new-car buyers Down Under, that a new vehicle must have a five-star rating to be considered. Mitsubishi would not be the first to go to market with a vehicle that doesn’t meet the increasingly stringent requirements, or in fact remains untested.

There’s also the fact the eK X EV is offered only in four-seat configuration, which could be a deal-breaker for some local buyers.

Speaking hypothetically…. If you’re in the market for a spacious four-seater city car and the price turns out to be ‘right’, it’s hard to see why not.

With zero-emissions short-trip travel as its focus, the 2024 Mitsubishi eK X EV has nailed the brief.

But there are many questions still to be answered and no guarantee we’ll actually see an all-electric Mitsubishi kei car return to Australian showrooms.

Watch this space.

2024 Mitsubishi eK X EV at a glance:
Price: $35,000 est (drive-away)
Available: Under study for Australia
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 47kW/195Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 20kW lithium-ion
Range: 180km (WLTC)
Energy consumption: 12.4kWh/100km (WLTC)
Safety rating: Not tested