2023 Mitsubishi ASX review: Full range detailed

The Mitsubishi ASX became a teenager this year.

It's not the most glamorous kid on the block, but it has remained enduringly popular since 2010 – thanks to two facelifts, a stream of tech upgrades and sharp pricing.

The ASX is roomier than most small SUVs and drives nicely on country roads, with a comfortable ride and good steering. Continue reading for our full rundown on the line-up.

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JUMP AHEAD

• Mitsubishi ASX pricing
• What body styles are available with the ASX?
• What features are standard in every ASX?
• What features do I get if I spend more?
• How safe is the Mitsubishi ASX?
• How comfortable and practical is the Mitsubishi ASX?
• Rear space and comfort
• How much boot space does the Mitsubishi ASX offer?
• I like driving, will I enjoy the ASX?
• Which ASX engine uses the least fuel?
• What is the ASX's towing capacity?
• How long is the warranty and what are the Mitsubishi ASX's servicing costs?
• Which version of the Mitsubishi ASX does Wheels recommend?
• What are the Mitsubishi ASX's key rivals?

Mitsubishi ASX pricing

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What body styles are available with the ASX?

The Mitsubishi ASX is a five-door SUV.

All variants have petrol engines that drive only the front wheels.

The ASX is classified as a small SUV, lower priced.

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What features are standard in every ASX?

Entry level: ASX GS

Mitsubishi introduced this new entry-level variant for the MY23 model year, which kept the entry-level retail price down to $23,990. This rental-spec ASX comes standard with a manual gearbox, 16-inch steel wheels with hubcaps, cloth seats, a four-speaker sound system and manual air conditioning.

It is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine and is the only ASX variant to come with a five-speed manual gearbox.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT auto) that features across the range is available for an additional $2250.

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Mitsubishi ASX GS

What features do I get if I spend more?

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ASX ES

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Mitsubish ASX GSR

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Paint options

You can get any colour for no extra cost as long as it's white.

There are eight colours, including Sunshine Orange, which is only available with MR, GSR and Exceed spec grades.

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How safe is the Mitsubishi ASX?

The current ASX is unrated by the independent crash-test body ANCAP because its last crash test in 2014 exceeds the six-year expiry period now applied to vehicles.

The ASX was previously a five-star car, but it would probably lose a star if tested today due to its rudimentary active safety technology, some of which is missing from the lower-spec variants.

All ASXs are equipped with autonomous emergency braking (which Mitsubishi calls a Forward Collision Mitigation system) and reversing camera.

ES variants and above get reverse parking sensors, but only LS and above get blind spot warning, lane change assist, lane-departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert.

All of these features are standard equipment in most new SUVs, as is adaptive cruise control, which isn't available in any ASX.

The ASX has seven airbags including dual frontal, side chest and side head (curtain) inflators, and a driver knee airbag.

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How comfortable and practical is the Mitsubishi ASX?

The interior design of the ASX is simple and completely unadventurous.

There’s a lot of hard plastic in the structures and, once again, it shows the age of the car.

But the controls and displays in the ASX are logically laid out, from the old-school analogue circular speedo and tachometer to the buttons on the steering wheel for phone and audio functions. A trio of knobs makes it easy to adjust airflow.

Pockets in the front doors will cater for a large bottle and other odds and ends.

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Mitsubishi ASX GSR

The front seats are comfy in city driving, but without much lateral support you're left to brace with your legs on any twisting roads.

While wind noise is kept at bay, tyre noise can be testing on country roads or at freeway speeds.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine feels lethargic initially but builds pace enthusiastically once the car gets moving.

The Exceed's 2.4-litre engine is better and allows the CVT to operate more smoothly as it doesn’t have to rev as hard to get up to speed.

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The ASX does a good job of soaking up bumps at open-road speeds.

Around town, it is less subtle in the way it deals with surface imperfections because of the biggish 18-inch wheels which are surrounded by lower-profile tyres that have less cushioning between the car and the road.

We haven't driven the GS with the 16-inch wheels, but we expect there would be a bit of an improvement due to thicker side walls and more cushioning.

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Rear space and comfort

The ASX has more rear-seat space than most small SUVs, with good head and leg room that makes it viable as a family chariot.

The transmission tunnel is rather pronounced, but the rear seat base is relatively flat, making it fairly comfortable for the kiddy in the middle.

But while two adults would fit comfortably in the back, three would be a squeeze.

The ASX has two ISOFIX points and three top-tether child seat anchorages.

LS grades and above have two USB-C sockets at the rear of the centre console.

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How much boot space does the Mitsubishi ASX offer?

The ASX's 393-litre boot is relatively broad, with a wide opening that sits high off the ground, so there’s no need to bend over to lift things out.

With the rear seats up, the boot is 735mm long and 1355mm wide, though there is an even 1000mm between the wheel arches.

Folding the rear seats down extends load capacity up to the roof to 1193 litres, though the Exceed loses 50 litres because of the sunroof.

You will be able items up to 1475mm long behind the front seats.

The 60:40 split-fold rear seatback provides loading flexibility. When folded, the seatbacks are on a slight upward angle but still create a long load area that will easily accommodate a bicycle.

There is a space-saver spare wheel and tools beneath the boot floor.

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Mitsubishi ASX Exceed

I like driving, will I enjoy the ASX?

The two engines available in the ASX deliver respectable performance without being exciting.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine is hamstrung in manual gearbox form by having only five ratios, which don’t always allow you to work it at its optimal speed.

The CVT (continuously variable transmission) auto does a better job of maximising the available power.

The 2.4-litre petrol engine has more urge in everyday driving, with the CVT not having to work as hard to find enough power, ensuring good forward progress.

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The ASX is predictable through bends but leans significantly in fast cornering, which sets up more dramatic movement in the body if you are faced immediately with a turn to the opposite side.

This is, of course, not a car intended for fast cornering – and sharpening up those qualities would only compromise its overall comfort, or make it a more expensive car.

Steering is light and accurate, but you may feel some annoying kickback through the wheel if you hit bumps in the middle of a corner.

Tyres grip well and the body settles quickly after bumps.

Overall, the ASX inspires confidence on country roads and freeways.

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Mitsubishi ASX ES

Which ASX engine uses the least fuel?

The ASX range comes with two petrol engines including a 110kW/197Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

This is coupled with a five-speed manual gearbox in the entry-level GS only.

The same engine is available with the CVT auto in the GS and other variants except for the GSR and Exceed. This is the most economical ASX powertrain, consuming 7.6L/100km in official tests (city and country combined).

With the manual gearbox, the official combined fuel consumption is 7.7L/100km.

The GSR and Exceed come with a bigger 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol coupled with a CVT.

It provides considerably more power and torque (123kW/222Nm) but the official fuel economy only marginally higher at 7.9L/100km.

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What is the ASX's towing capacity?

Braked towing capacity for all variants is 1300kg, and they can tow an unbraked load of up to 750kg.

Maximum tow ball weight is 130kg and if you attach racks to the roof rails, you can carry up to 80kgs of stuff on top.

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How long is the warranty and what are the Mitsubishi ASX's servicing costs?

All new Mitsubishis have access to Mitsubishi's leading Diamond Advantage coverage, with a standard vehicle warranty of five years / 100,000kms with capped-price servicing in place for a whopping 10 years.

If you get your ASX continually serviced within the authorised Mitsubishi network, Mitsubishi will double your vehicle's warranty to Kia-beating 10 years/200,000kms.

New owners also receive up to four years of complimentary roadside assist.

Service intervals occur annually, or every 15,000kms - whichever comes first.

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Which version of the Mitsubishi ASX does Wheels recommend?

While it doesn't have the sweetest engine option, we suggest the ASX ES, which brings you a roomy SUV for the price of a hatchback.

We prefer the 2.4-litre engine in the more expensive GSR and Exceed versions, but the ASX’s major advantage is affordability. The more you pay for an ASX, the more it's competing with lower-spec variants of fresher rivals that match it for features and some.

The standard CVT auto does a good job and the driver assistance suite, while basic, may help you avoid the sort of in-traffic incident that can ruin your day.

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ASX ES

What are the Mitsubishi ASX's key rivals?

These other small SUVs should be considered the ASX's key rivals, and each is worth a look.

• Haval Jolion
• Hyundai Kona
• Kia Seltos
• Mazda CX-3
• MG ZS
• Toyota C-HR
• Suzuki Vitara

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