Upgrade for Mitsubishi’s rugged ASX
MY how time flies… I thought it was only a couple of years ago at most that the Mitsubishi ASX arrived on our shores, but it turns out to be five!
Which is why those on-the-ball people at Mitsubishi have upgraded the popular compact crossover for 2015 with new bumpers and wheel arch styling, a revised dashboard, new trim names and a new, 1.6, 112bhp diesel engine.
The revised ASX range now features three trim levels: ZC, ZC-M and ZC-H and there are three engine choices. The ZC only comes with a 1.6-litre petrol, while the ZC-M can be had with 1.6 petrol or the new 1.6 diesel. At the top of the range, the ZC-H features four-wheel drive and only comes as a diesel. If you add an automatic gearbox (as in our test car this week) then you get the 2.2-litre engine from the Outlander.
Getting behind the wheel I particularly liked the soft leather seats and higher, SUV-style driving position and the ASX has a rugged feel and rugged styling. It is also well kitted-out with auto lights, wipers, climate control plus keyless entry and traction/stability control on our top-of-the-range test car - the ZC-H 2.2 diesel 4WD.
Mitsubishi say the ASX is targeted predominantly at: “Style-conscious family buyers who want to upgrade from a C-segment hatchback but not find themselves burdened with increased ownership costs. Customers with towing requirements will be drawn in too, and it’s the perfect vehicle for anyone with a sporty, outdoors approach to life.”
On the road that 2.2 engine shows its relatively large size for a compact crossover with 0 to 62 in 10.8 seconds and top speed d of f 118 - althoughlh hi it feels even quicker than that.
With switchable 4x4 plus diff lock setting, our ASX uses Mitsubishi’s electronically-controlled AWD system. There are three modes and the centre differential has an electronically controlled coupling that uses ‘feed-forward’ control to determine the optimum front/rear torque split from sensor data on throttle opening, vehicle speed, road conditions and driver inputs.
In 2WD mode,d power i is only to the front wheels to enable nimble driving and better fuel economy while In 4WD AUTO mode, torque transfer is controlled for adverse driving conditions (from 98 per cent front / 2 per cent rear to 50 per cent front / 50 per cent rear) and with 4WD LOCK mode engaged torque to the rear wheels is boosted to improve traction on poor road surfaces.
It is roomier with the seats up than Mazda’a CX-3, but has less space than the latest Qashqai. Other rivals in this crowded sector include the Kia Sportage, Skoda Yeti, Hyundai ix35 and Subaru XV.
The ASX ZC-H is well kitted-out and comes with panoramic glass roof with LED ‘mood’ lighting, rear view camera, tyre pressure monitoring, seven inch touch screen infotainment and sat nav screen, DAB radio, leather seats, a reversing camera plus larger 18-inch alloys. All of the above is on top of the range standard air-con, remote keyless entry plus parking sensors, front fog lights, rear privacy glass, cruise control, push button start, auto lights and wipers and heated front seats that are added on the ZC-M.
Numerous fuel saving improvements have been made for 2015 with the ASX going on a diet with reduced thickness of the metal on bonnet, doors and tailgate plus plastic wings which can also regain their shape after minor knocks.
The result is MPG figures of 49 combined (56 extra urban) for the 2.2 diesel, but if economy is your priority the new 1.6 diesel in 2WD form can do over 67 on a run.
And the car’s suspension passed with flying colours when it was pressed into service delivering the most delicate four-tier wedding cake over Bolton’s bumpy roads on the orders of Her Indoors (a.k.a the Cake Queen).
Only some minor niggles with a week spent in the ASX. The touch screen is not fat finger friendly and its cruise control is not adaptive plus there is no eco start/ stop.
However, prices are from a very reasonable £14,999 for the base ASX 1.6 petrol up to our test car, the ZC-H 2.2 diesel AWD auto at £24,899. More info at www. mitsubishi-cars.co.uk.