MITSUBISHI ASX Review

The ASX isn't too expensive for a crossover SUV and, although it's in the same price range as the competition, it is surely better equipped than most of the vehicles in the same class. Comfort is among the best in the class, although some claim that the whole interior makes you feel like driving a cheap car.

First of all, there's the automatic air conditioning that can be easily controlled from the rotating knobs on the center console. These are the only buttons on the center console, as all the other functions of the car are accessible through the touchscreen display that's also being used by the navigation and the audio systems.

Both front seats are heated, with two options available, depending on how hot you want your tooshie to get in the next five minutes or so. There's no ventilated seats option available across the range, although it's somewhat obvious that such a feature slowly becomes a must have during our hot and sweaty summers.

Overall, the cabin provides enough space for both the front and the rear passengers, no matter how tall they are. Not to mention the trunk, which can be extended by folding down the rear seats for even more space. Not sure who needs it besides somebody who wants to carry a horse or something.

Although we admit we would really enjoy an automatic transmission, the manual one isn't bad at all and it only takes a minute or two to get used to it. The suspension system feels a little rigid when passing over speed limiters, but contributes to the overall stability at higher speeds.

And because we're talking about comfort, we must bring the Auto Stop-Start feature in the spotlights. We do know that it's pretty useful in crowded cities and that it cuts fuel consumption like.. a lot, but it quickly becomes just as annoying as a mosquito that flies around you waiting for the proper moment to bite you. Sure, you have the option to turn it off, but since it's so useful, it would be a shame to do that.

If you have a look on the technical specifications list, the ASX is not at all a technically-advanced vehicle. But the way it interacts with both the driver and the road might make you change your mind a little bit.

The car is first of all a very fuel efficient model and, more importantly, it achieves a lower rating in the city and not outside it as it happens with most other vehicles out there.

The 1.8-liter diesel should go around 49 mpg (4.8 L/100Km) city, which is fairly impressive given the fact that the ASX is actually a crossover packing 150 horsepower. Fuel consumption should increase a little bit when leaving the city, says Mitsubishi, but not more than 35.1 mpg (6.7 L/100Km). Overall, the car should achieve 42.8 mpg (5.5 L/100Km) while releasing 145 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

The ClearTec designation brought with it several other features, all of them supposed to reduce the amount of toxic gases released in the atmosphere. The ASX thus comes packed with the aforementioned Automatic Stop & Go system, a closed-flow diesel particulate filter, the electric power steering, a so-called Generation Control System, LED rear lamps for low consumption and low resistance tires.

Performance figures aren't breathtaking but they are not even supposed to be because the ASX was tailored for fuel efficiency and decent driving without breaking speed limits. The car goes from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 10.3 seconds, while topping at 124 mph (200 km/h).

But in order to lower emissions and cut consumption, Mitsubishi implemented several other technologies, including an electric power steering mechanism that also features tilt and telescopic adjustments. For those who aren't familiar with Mitsubishi's products, this is the first time the Japanese manufacturer uses telescopic adjustments on its range of products.

The ASX crossover is filled with gadgets but all of them are packed under a single case, featuring a touchscreen display that lets you access them all.

Music sounds great and the technical specification is pretty outstanding: 710-Watt, Rockford-Fosgate audio system with 9 speaker including 10-inch dual-voice coil subwoofer with Punch control, In-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 compatible changer, digital signal processor, 3-band equalization and speed compensated volume. This, in plain English, means that you can easily turn the cabin into a huge concert hall where you can listen to your favorite music streamed from either a CD, a USB memory stick or straight from the integrated hard-disk.

Because yes, the ASX is offered with a 40GB HDD Navigation with rearview camera, music server and real-time traffic, thus allowing you to store music straight on the hard disk and play it in a second.

And in case that's not enough for you, we should probably mention that you will also get some other goodies too, such as the automated climate control with pollen filter, four power windows, remote keyless entry with panic feature, Color Multi-Information Display (MID) – with trip computer, maintenance reminder, ambient temperature and audio system information – as well as a drive mode selector that lets you choose between 2WD and 4WD.

Of course, the car is also equipped with more “common” features such as rain sensors, light sensors, Xenon headlights, cruise control, heated seats, a 12V outlet, tilt and telescopic steering wheel.

Last but not least, the ASX also seems to be the right car for those who love to travel under a clear sky, as the car boasts a full panoramic sunroof with ambient lighting for some sort of stylish atmosphere. Although some of us considered it kitschy, others believe that it could be quite a catchy feature if you're going on a date and plan to use the ASX...

Only a few cars rolled out these days are not able to score a five-star rating in the crash tests conducted by various institutes around the world and Mitsubishi ASX isn't one of them. Euro NCAP has recently tested the new ASX, with the Mitsubishi model achieving a full five-star rating. The European safety institute mentioned that the ASX reacted pretty well to the impacts, providing advanced protection to adults, children and pedestrians.

The list of safety features available across the ASX range is pretty impressive, starting with the all-wheel drive system and ending with the side-impact door beams.

Specifically, the car is offered with lots of safety features (we'll let you count them), as follows: advanced dual-stage front airbags with seatbelt use, passenger weight and driver's seat-position sensors, front side-impact airbags and side-impact air curtains with rollover protection, active front seat headrests, a tire pressure monitoring system, 3-point seatbelts for all 5 seating positions, child safety locks for the rear doors and front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters.

And the equipment list does not stop here. Buying a top-of-the-range ASX also brings you Active Stability Control (ASC), ABS, EBD and Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist (HSA), Traction Control Logic (TCL), engine immobilizer antitheft system as well as the collapsible steering column and foldaway brake pedal assembly.

Mitsubishi wasn't so active in the last few years and continued to focus on the existing models, only a few new vehicles thus getting to see the light of day. It remained in our hearts with the Lancer Evo and with the Ralliart models and it is now back with what seems to be a strong contender in the crossover segment.

There are cheaper alternatives to the ASX, there are also more expensive ones and, although the ASX falls in the middle class, it seems like a better solution for those looking for a reliable, comfortable and very efficient ride.

The good part about it is that it is a handsome vehicle that features an environmentally friendly engine capable of setting new standards in a pretty crowded market segment. It is capable of achieving very low ratings when it comes to fuel consumption, despite the fact that it holds 150 horsepower ready to push it to 100 km/h in nearly 10 seconds.

The bad thing is that although it's a well equipped car, it has to face competition coming from some leaders of the auto industry which are often seen as better solutions for those looking for a crossover SUV. Furthermore, there are a few cheaper alternatives which, in the current economic conditions, could be considered a much smarter acquisition than an ASX.

Last but not least, the ugly side of the ASX is that it's a diesel. There is a gasoline option available across the range too, but power barely reaches 115 horsepower. Americans are a bit luckier though, as the Outlander Sport is also offered with a 2.0-liter gasoline option that puts out 148 horsepower and is paired to a CVT transmission.