MITSUBISHI ASX
Facepalm fodder for car journalists, but the public loves the ASX. It’s just enjoyed a welcome and worthy update
Model Mitsubishi ASX Exceed Engine 2360cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v Max power 123W @ 6000rpm Max torque 222Nm @ 4100rpm Transmission CVT automatic Weight 1390kg 0-100km/h 9.5sec Economy 7.9L/100km Price $35,740 (driveaway) Now
YOU HAVE to admire the Mitsubishi ASX. No, seriously. This enduring crossover has had its fair share of detractors since its debut 10 years ago, but it continues to shrug them off with a threefold increase in annual sales since 2011 that has secured its place as Australia’s top-selling small SUV against fresher, eminently more drivable opposition.
A big reason for this has been a series of facelifts and equipment add-ons that have maintained the ASX’s showroom appeal while avoiding significant price increases. Boosting its lacklustre performance, however, hasn’t been part of the strategy. Until now.
The 2020 Mitsubishi ASX has arrived with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol option that returns some pep to the range that was lost when the slow-selling 2.2-litre turbo-diesel was dropped in 2018. Taken from the now discontinued Lancer, the 4B12 MIVEC engine with continuously variable valve timing produces 123kW/222Nm, which is about 12 percent more power and torque than the hard working but lethargic 110kW/197Nm 2.0-litre 4B11.
The extra shove is noticeable, as is the smoothness of the CVT that doesn’t demand the engine to work anywhere near as hard to reach and maintain freeway speeds. With gradual throttle input the power delivery feels surprisingly seamless. Travelling at the 110km/h freeway speed limit north of Byron Bay saw revs sit around a comfortable 1900rpm on level stretches, with the gearbox quickly adapting to hills and descents with little fuss with the cruise control engaged.
Putting the foot down harder elicits the customary scream but, with peak power at 6000rpm, it still takes a while
before you run out of oomph. At lower speeds, the CVT feel more like a torque converter, which makes for a smooth and quiet drive around town.
Driveaway pricing is from $24,990 for the entry-level ES manual to $35,740 for the Exceed.
The 2.4-litre unit is available only in the upper-spec Exceed and new ‘sporty’ GSR variant and not the ES and LS volume sellers. And the change in driving dynamics it brings doesn’t extend to handling, You still get that noticeable lean when cornering quickly, while the rear end has trouble keeping up with the front wheels during quick changes of direction, as at S bends.
That said, the ASX is a proud city slicker and rides comfortably on its strut/coil front and multi-link rearsuspension set-up.
The roomy interior has also been refreshed with the dashboard redesigned to accommodate a bigger 8.0-inch touchscreen. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and digital radio
(DAB+) are part of the standard kit. Autonomous emergency braking and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, which were part of a safety pack that’s a $2500 option in the ES, are also now standard.
Mitsubishi hopes the GSR and the new 2.0-litre MR variant will attract young male buyers previously keen on the Lancer. Both have more athletic interior and exterior trim (inspired by the successful limited-run ASX Black Edition) and paddleshifters for more hands-on driving.
Will its third facelift since 2010 be enough for the ageing ASX to continue defying the overall market slump and see off yet more newcomers including the Hyundai Venue, Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30? History suggests it will.