The 2023 Mazda CX-5 medium SUV and 2023 Mazda CX-8 large SUV are now available with Android Auto.
While these vehicles had been available with wired Android Auto – and Apple CarPlay – for almost five years, it’s understood the switch to wireless connectivity for 2023 models caused certification delays between Google and Mazda.
This meant some examples of the latest CX-5 and CX-8 were built without Android Auto functionality, with Mazda Australia initially confirming a fix would become available in July.
In an update given to Wheels Media last week, Mazda Australia has now confirmed all CX-5 and CX-8 vehicles are now built with Android Auto from March production.
A dealer-initiated 15-minute no-cost software ‘patch’ to unlock the feature is available for model-year 2023 vehicles produced from November 2022 for the CX-5, and January 2023 for the CX-8.
It’s understood some dealers are automatically installing the patch at a vehicle’s initial one-month/1000km free inspection.
For model-year 2023, Mazda Australia has installed the larger 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system on all CX-5 and CX-8 grades, replacing the older 8-inch unit previously found on lower-spec examples.
While all CX-8 grades include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the base CX-5 Maxx retains wired connectivity – but the update is still required to unlock Android Auto.
Dry broken tarmac, freeway driving, and twisty roads
Location
Sydneyu2019s South Western Suburbs and Royal National park
The Nexen N Blue HD Plus come fitted standard on the Kia Picanto GT in a 195/40R16 size.
They’re an eco-friendly tyre, with the main selling points being quiet operation and low rolling resistance.
Fitted to a car with sporting intentions, such as the Picanto GT, the soft sidewall and consistent understeer balance was a little disappointing.
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VERDICT
For the N Blue HD’s intended use – light hatches, SUVs and family cars – this a comfortable, safe, and affordable choice that’s more predictable than no-name budget rubber.
Dry, abrasive tarmac, winding roads and freeway driving
Location
Katoomba via Bells Line of Road
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is ubiquitous among car enthusiasts, broadly considered one of the best tyres in the business with a great balance between solid daily usability, tree-sap stickiness in the dry, and steadfast wet performance.
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With a firm sidewall and soft rubber compound, the 255/40 ZR21 Pilot Sport 4 S are responsive, and give good steering communication, too.
One drawback of a high-performance tyre like this is its road noise, naturally amplified by the Kia EV6 GT not possessing an engine note to mask the rubber’s roar. They also heighten the EV6 GT’s firm urban ride.
With a firm sidewall and soft rubber compound, the 255/40 ZR21 Pilot Sport 4 S are responsive, and give good steering communication, too.
VERDICT
Pricey but properly impressive
Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4 S is an expensive performance tyre that’s not suited to the average family hack, but they tamed the EV6 GT’s considerable mass and grunt admirably.
No one saw it coming. Created off-the-books in secret, after hours, by a group of dedicated BMW engineers.
That’s how the 1998 BMW Z3 M Coupe came to be. The M3-powered roadster-turned-coupe instantly was launched into cult status thanks to its quirky styling that put driving dynamics ahead of traditional beauty.
At this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, at Lake Como, BMW pays tribute to the beloved ‘Clownshoe’ with this, the BMW Concept Touring Coupe.
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The radical two-box shooting brake is a one-of-one design study, penned by Australian native, and head of BMW’s Shanghai Design Studio, Calvin Luk.
The Concept Touring Coupe looks to be underpinned by a standard Z4, but has received huge amounts of bespoke coachwork. Chiefly, the fixed-head tintop that blends seamlessly with the previously flat-deck to create a muscular, pumped stance.
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BMW’s interpretation of the two-door shooting brake (the correct contemporary definition) sees the breadvan’s distinctive two-box silhouette distilled with little overhangs at each end, underscored by BMW’s hallmark Hofmeister kink, of course.
It’s an impressively suave design, and one better than even we could come up with, given we speculatively imagined what a reborn Z4M might look like back in 2021 (pictured below).
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The one-off design study is finished in Sparkling Lario paintwork, cornered by bespoke 20/21-inch staggered wheels and discreet gold finishing.
Inside, the BMW cabin has been swathed in bespoke materials, featuring a rich, classically-charged two-tone leather motif with braided leather stitching and handmade details.
The upholstery craftmanship extends beyond the Concept Touring Coupe’s cabin, with a matching luggage set covered in material sourced from Modena’s Schedoni leather workshop.
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Which engine it’s running is sadly not confirmed, although BMW says it is one of their “hallmark six-cylinder inline” engines – likely the B58 3.0-litre turbo six already found in the Z4 M40i.
Pictures show the fitment of BMW’s ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic.
Sadly, previous comments from BMW suggest there are “no plans” for a series production revival of the cult Z3 M coupe.
Nevertheless, we at Wheels can hold out hope. It would certainly be a unique addition to the current ‘Zupra’ lineup. Between the existing BMW Z4 convertible, Toyota‘s Supra sibling, and the Concept Touring Coupe – would you own BMW’s modern day breadvan?
The 2023 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross LS 2WD is the second-most affordable variant in the Eclipse Cross range, positioned above the entry-level ES.
It’s an ageing car, but is still looks fresh on the outside thanks to various facelifts over the years, offers a competent drive, decent cabin packaging and a respectable list of standard equipment. For those on a budget, it will fill the brief with easy and predictable dynamics, and a little-frills approach.
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Pricing & Features
The Eclipse Cross LS 2WD asks from $32,240, or you can opt for the AWD version for $36,740.
The LS comes with headline standard features such as: 18-inch alloy wheels, 8.0-inch infotainment screen, 6-speaker stereo, LED daytime running lights and fog lights, reclining rear seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear parking sensors, dusk-sensing headlights, DAB+ radio, rain sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, reversing camera and keyless entry.
The infotainment’s software is a little simple, with a somewhat dated interface, it is both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible.
Safety
Mitsubishi‘s Eclipse Cross wears a Five Star ANCAP safety rating across the range, achieved under less stringent 2017 regulations when it was assessed.
Its ANCAP rating expires in December 2023.
It is equipped with seven airbags, including dual frontal, side chest, side head (curtain) and a driver knee cushion.
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Safety items include: forward collision mitigation, active yaw control, blind spot warning, lane change assist, emergency brake assist, pedestrian recognition, adjustable speed limiter, rear cross traffic alert and lane departure warning.
Key Rivals
There are a number of small SUV offerings competing in the value-minded low-$30k arena, including:
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is an ageing product by comparison to many segment mates. It has a simple, albeit seemingly durable, basic interior, it drives competently and predictably, and comes decently equipped with most of the daily-desired equipment as standard.
Interior cabin space is rather decent for its footprint, and the rear seating offers crucial flexibility in this segment. There’s also much to be said for Mitsubishi’s 10-year conditional warranty.
BMW Australia has announced a free ‘Power Pack’ bundle to entice buyers into a new iX3 or iX xDrive40 electric SUV before the end of the financial year.
Snapshot
BMW offers u2018Power Packu2019 bundle for iX3, iX xDrive40
Headlining the package is the third-generation BMW Wallbox charger capable of outputting up to 7.4kW single-phase or 22kW three-phase AC power, IP65 housing water and dust protection, and a 5-metre Type 2 to Type 2 portable cable included.
Additionally, new customers will also receive a six-year, unlimited kilometre pre-paid servicing package and a $5000 bonus for trading in a vehicle.
It’s worth noting that Australian buyers will have to cover installation costs, despite New Zealand buyers benefiting from a $1500 installation subsidy.
The offer applies to buyers of a new or demonstrator BMW iX3 and iX xDrive40, who ordered between January 1 to 30 June, 2023 – and must be delivered by the latter date.
While other BMW electric models were left out of the deal – including the iX1 small SUV, i4 liftback, higher-end variants of the iX large SUV, and i7 limousine – all EVs from the Bavarian automaker do still include a five-year subscription to the nationwide Chargefox public charging network.
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This isn’t the first time a luxury car brand has tempted buyers into an EV, arriving as just the latest enticement in a competitive market.
South Korean marque Genesis already offers the choice of a free five-year Chargefox charging subscription or a 7.2kW single-phase AC wall box charger (including standard installation fees) with the purchase of any new EV model.
Meanwhile, Japanese carmaker Lexus provides three years of free Chargefox fast DC charging, an ABB 7kW AC wall charger with installation by Jet Charge, a Type 2 to Type 2 cable, and limited redemptions for valet parking and its On Demand loan car service, as part of its Encore ownership program.
The facelifted 2023 Mazda CX-8 is now on sale in Australia, following the pricing announcement issued in February.
Read our launch review at the link below, or continue reading for the full rundown on 2023 CX-8 pricing and features.
2023 Mazda CX-8 pricing and specs
Following several minor tweaks since the CX-8 arrived in 2018, the popular large SUV has received its first major change, as part of a mid-life update.
Snapshot
Updated large SUV receives additional standard equipment, two new grades, and more tech
Prices rises between $1400 and $1450; due in March
As reported, it benefits from a new look derived from its smaller CX-5 twin, with a revised front fascia and headlights – but with a ‘block mesh’ pattern grille similar to the CX-60.
At the rear, the L-shaped tail-lights are similar to the latest CX-5, while the rear bumper also has a cleaner look. The chrome bar running across the tailgate remains, but it no longer flows into the lights.
For model-year 2023, the CX-8 lineup features two new variants – Touring Active and GT SP – which replace the Touring diesel, Touring SP and GT grades.
As with the CX-5, the Touring Active includes a more-rugged look inside and out, while the GT SP continues the blacked-out styling theme of the now-axed Touring SP, in combination with the additional equipment of the GT.
Each variant is now fitted with a 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system, a 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster (previously exclusive to the Asaki and Asaki LE), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and front USB-C ports.
Mazda notes Android Auto – wired or wireless – is temporarily unavailable for CX-8s produced between January and June 2023. A no-cost dealer retrofit is expected in July.
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Other changes include; Mazda’s new drive mode selector, Mi Drive, with normal and off-road modes for all-wheel-drive variants; a feature allowing drivers to open the windows from the key fob – but not close it remotely – and traffic jam assist for the GT SP, Asaki and Asaki LE.
In addition, Mazda has improved the CX-8’s noise, vibration and harshness for greater comfort inside the cabin, while the suspension has been tweaked to improve body control on rough roads.
First launched in 2017, the CX-8 was initially a Japanese-market exclusive as a stretched CX-5 on the same 2930-millimetre wheelbase as the larger CX-9 sold in Australia and North America.
Like the current CX-8, engine options comprise a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre petrol and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel.
The naturally-aspirated ‘G25’ 2.5-litre petrol engine – standard on all CX-8 variants, excluding Touring Active and Asaki LE – produces 140kW and 252Nm, with power exclusively sent to the front wheels.
The twin-turbocharged ‘D35’ 2.2-litre ‘D35’ turbo-diesel produces 140kW and 450Nm, with an intelligent all-wheel drive system.
It is optional for the Sport, Touring, GT SP and Asaki, and standard-fit for the Touring Active and Asaki LE.
A six-speed automatic transmission is standard-fit across the CX-8 range.
The entire Mazda CX-8 range is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2018.
It received a score of 96 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection, 72 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 73 per cent for safety assist.
Six airbags (dual front, side and curtain) feature across the lineup, including coverage for third-row passengers.
As per the wider Mazda range, the CX-8 is covered by the brand’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and a five-year roadside assistance program.
The service schedule for petrol CX-8 variants is now 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first. The diesel has a lower 12-month or 10,000km interval, as before.
Mazda offers capped-price servicing for the CX-8, covering the first five services.
The Wheels Media team is this close to switching out of shorts and into jeans (or trackies as the case may be), which means it’s also time to don the beanie.
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You’ll probably need one, too. Whether you’re out early at cars & coffee and then late-night kebab meets, or toiling away at night in a chilly shed, this time of the year demands you keep the noggin’ under covers.
Offer valid until August 13th, 2023, or while stocks last, whichever is sooner. Prices shown are in AUD and available for Australian Delivery only. Discounts represent the percentage saving on the cover price. Offer applies to print subscriptions only and does not apply to digital only subscriptions. Offer valid for new subscriptions and renewals of existing subscriptions.
It’s hard to believe half a decade has passed since Mazda’s ‘goldilocks’ SUV, the CX-8, launched in Australia.
Back then, the large CX-8 – essentially a stretched three-row version of the midsized CX-5 riding on a CX-9 wheelbase – was offered exclusively in diesel form, as competition to the Sorento, Santa Fe and Tiguan Allspace that sit at the smaller end of the large SUV segment.
However, the CX-8 faced competition from within: the popular and powerful CX-9. The 2017 Wheels Car of the Year-winner simply ticks too many boxes, especially with its sweet turbocharged petrol engine.
Mazda has sold around 20,000 CX-8s in Australia in the past five years, compared to 37,000 CX-9s and 134,000 CX-5s.
This means the 2023 Mazda CX-8 needs to step up as Mazda’s solo budget-focused large SUV – and it has just received a mid-life update to assist.
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For this update, the CX-8 receives a sleek new face inspired by its CX-5 twin, and a streamlined range with new Touring Active diesel and GT SP variants, replacing the old Touring diesel, Touring SP and GT grades.
As is now the industry norm, prices have increased by up to $1450 – but, importantly, you’ll find more equipment than ever, including a larger 10.25-inch widescreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
There are still no daytime running lamps for the entry-level Sport and Touring, which seems like a wild safety and design oversight in 2023. It’s the same for base CX-5s in Australia.
Equipment for the base Sport includes 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, black cloth upholstery, a six-speaker audio system, and a reverse camera.
New for 2023 are the 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system and 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front USB-C ports – and several noise, vibration and harness improvements to improve ride quality.
Front parking sensors, keyless entry, black leather upholstery, a power-adjustable eight-way driver’s and six-way passenger seat, heated front seats, a fold-down rear-centre armrest with two USB-A charge ports, (a slow) one-touch walk-in switch, and paddle shifters are added for the mid-spec Touring.
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The newly-added Touring Active has a rugged theme as a diesel AWD-only offering, with machined 19-inch alloy wheels, black side mirrors, white/grey Maztex artificial leather and cloth upholstery, an adaptive front-lighting system, LED daytime running lamps, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with two-position memory, and heated front and rear seats.
Replacing the previous Touring SP and GT, the SP combines the features of both – at $1550 more than last year’s GT.
For 2023, it has gloss black alloy wheels and body cladding, black or burgundy red leather upholstery, and traffic jam assist, while retaining the old GT’s wireless phone charger, glass sunroof, 10-speaker, 273-watt Bose audio system, (non-hands-free) electric tailgate, third-row USB-A ports, rear door window shades, and LED cabin lighting.
The flagship Asaki reverts to silver alloy wheels and body-coloured side mirrors, while it follows its range-topping CX-5 sibling with colour-matched body cladding and larger diameter tailpipes added for the facelift.
Other additions include adaptive headlights, ventilated front seats, black Nappa leather upholstery (replacing light brown), a 360-degree camera system, a frameless rear-view mirror, and added luxuries such as chrome seat knobs and subtle white-only LED interior ambient lighting.
While it would be nice if the 360-degree camera were available on the Touring Active and GT SP, this isn’t unusual with the technology also limited to its flagship competitors.
Second-row opulence is the focus of the Asaki LE, with heated and ventilated power-adjustable captain’s chairs, a fixed centre console, and optional white Nappa leather upholstery. It is exclusively available in diesel AWD guise.
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Mazda Australia forecasts 40 per cent of buyers will opt for the mid-spec Touring in 2023, followed by 30 per cent for the entry-level Sport.
The GT SP follows at 12 per cent, Asaki and Asaki LE at 10 per cent, and the newly-introduced diesel-only Touring Active at eight per cent.
Available colours for all models include rhodium white, platinum quartz, titanium flash, soul red crystal, machine grey, polymetal grey, deep crystal blue, and jet black. Premium paint incurs a $795 premium.
All cars start between $40,000 and $50,000, with a similar difference in features for each model’s respective grade walk. Unlike the Mazda, you’ll find a full-digital instrument cluster on at least some variants if that’s your thing.
Fuel-sipping hybrid versions of the Sorento, Santa Fe and Kluger are also available – including the plug-in hybrid Sorento, though it’s significantly more expensive and faces scarce supply in Australia.
The top-shelf CX-8 Asaki LE provides a chauffeur-like experience on a relative budget, but you’ll still be impressed no matter which spec is fancied.
The second-row captain’s chairs, black or white quilted Nappa upholstery and other unique touches help to lift the Asaki LE’s cabin ambience, but even the base Sport has quality-feeling materials and solid build quality.
While there are no design changes beyond new colour options, Mazda has redesigned the CX-8’s front seats to optimise the “S-curve spinal shape of the front-seat occupants for even more comfort in a natural posture”.
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The large SUV wheelbase means the driver and front passenger shouldn’t have any trouble with space, and it’s essentially the same for the second row – but its elevated stadium-like pews and midsized 1840mm width, identical to the CX-5, mean head and shoulder room aren’t quite as accommodating as its competitors.
The third row is accessed by the slow-moving one-touch ‘walk-in’ function, with expansive head and legroom for adults, with the latter aided by the ability to slide the central row forward.
The rear doors open almost 90 degrees to help ingress and egress. When you’re loading in car seats, there are outboard ISOFIX points. It also has top-tether points for all rear seats, including the final row, meaning you could theoretically fit four or five child seats in the CX-8.
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2023 Mazda CX-8 boot space
The Mazda CX-8 has a 209-litre luggage capacity with all seats in place, rising to 742L with the third row folded and 1727L with both rows down.
This is a 304L and 289L improvement, respectively, over the CX-5. There’s also a handy 33L underfloor storage compartment with a space-saver spare beneath.
The boot has four D-shaped tie-down points, two shopping hooks, a 12-volt power outlet, and USB-A charge ports for the GT SP and above.
Mazda has provided a significant – but not giant – technological leap forward for the CX-8 in 2023.
Like its CX-5 twin, all CX-8s now have a larger 10.25-inch Mazda Connect infotainment system and a 7-inch semi-digital instrument cluster.
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The former replaced the ageing 8-inch MZD Connect system on the Sport and Touring, fixing our strongest criticism with entry-level versions of the pre-facelift model.
As before, it has no touch functionality, with the entire system controlled by a rotary dial, which can be cumbersome at first but relatively easy to get used to – particularly when the screen is positioned too far back if you could touch it.
Also new for the latest model-year CX-8 are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus two USB-C ports in the centre console. All other ports retain the classic USB-A type.
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This includes the second-row chargers for the Touring and above, which are hidden in the centre armrest – meaning devices can’t be topped up if all three seats are in use.
Mazda’s latest SUVs – the CX-60 and CX-90 – have USB-C ports throughout, with the second-row outlets positioned on the back of the centre console, which will hopefully soon filter into older models, like the CX-8.
The standard windscreen-projected head-up display remains an outlier in this segment five years on, with brilliant clarity and a legible display when wearing polarised sunglasses.
What is the CX-8 like to drive?
If you prefer a spirited drive but need to cart the kids, the CX-8 is a large SUV that ticks the correct box.
While the added mass and longer wheelbase mean it isn’t as poised as its CX-5 mid-size SUV sibling, it remains composed with commendable road manners.
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Body roll is fair given the high centre of gravity, and lateral head movement is kept in check. Steering feels accurate at all points, and the brake pedal action and response is smooth. Boxes ticked.
Under the bonnet, Mazda provides two engine choices: a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol or 2.2-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel.
In a simplistic strategy similar to the Korean twins, the petrol is front-wheel-drive only, while the diesel has an intelligent all-wheel-drive system to power all four wheels when required.
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The petrol CX-8 produces a reasonable 140kW, but the lack of forced induction means it has just 252Nm to pull its circa-1750 kilogram mass.
Both of those outputs are developed relatively high in the rev range. It’s fine in low-stress environments, but there’s a noticeable lack of grunt in certain situations, such as when overtaking or travelling up a steep hill on a country road.
That’s not to say the petrol feels like it lacks confidence in these environments, but it’ll become vocal – and it isn’t helped by the anachronistic six-speed automatic transmission, which could benefit from additional gear ratios to assist with acceleration at higher speeds.
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In contrast, the diesel is a smooth operator. With an identical power figure but an additional 198 Newtons to play with – at 140kW/450Nm – it provides an excellent driving experience with more than enough grunt for nearly everything. And, best of all, you won’t hear about it with excellent noise insulation, even in acceleration.
A ‘Mi-Drive’ off-road mode has been added for diesel variants, but it comes at the cost of sport mode, which is now exclusive to petrol models.
The petrol Mazda CX-8 is rated to use 8.1L/100km in combined ADR testing, while the diesel is listed at a decent 6.0L/100km.
At the launch event, we sampled both, with a petrol G25 Touring example returning 9.8L/100km at the end of a spirited drive on Victorian back roads – including some gravel sections. It is compatible with 91 RON unleaded.
Recent seven-day testing by the Wheels Media team in a diesel Asaki LE example returned 7.9L/100km, with a similar result seen during our limited time in another diesel at the launch.
Both powertrains have an idle stop/start system and a similarly sized fuel tank – 72 litres for the petrol and 74L for the diesel.
The Mazda CX-8 is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2018.
This rating will expire in December 2024, in line with ANCAP’s six-year datestamp expiry. Mazda said it has no plans to retest the CX-8 or other vehicles in Australia at this stage.
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Six airbags – dual front, side and curtain – are fitted, including coverage for third-row passengers. It has no knee or front-centre airbags to prevent head clashes between the driver and front passenger in a side-impact collision.
As standard, the CX-8 includes a full suite of active safety technology, including autonomous emergency braking (vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist and reverse), adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high-beam, traffic sign recognition and intelligent speed limit assistance.
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Unlike some of its rivals, the CX-8 is less prone to interrupting you with potentially distracting chimes and warnings or tugs at the steering wheel for its lane-keep assist.
Traffic jam assist – a combination of adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist – for the GT SP and above allows for semi-autonomous driving in slow-moving traffic, which is a handy addition.
As with all Mazdas, the CX-8 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
It has five years of capped-price servicing and roadside assistance, with no requirement for annual dealer servicing to retain the service, unlike some other manufacturers.
The petrol CX-8’s service intervals now align with most of its competitors at 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, whichever occurs first – up from 10,000km.
However, Mazda’s diesel vehicles – except the BT-50 – retain a shorter 12-month/10,000km interval, meaning buyers who travel the average yearly distance of around 12,100 kilometres need to service their CX-8 more frequently than an equivalent Sorento, Santa Fe or Tiguan Allspace.
The mid-life update for the Mazda CX-8 large SUV has bolstered a well-received product with a sharpened look and the latest tech.
With the discontinuation of its larger CX-9 sibling at the end of this year, the CX-8 needs to step up as Mazda’s sole budget-focused three-row option – and the facelift means it should do a more convincing job.
Now that the CX-9’s no longer, you might be disappointed that its excellent turbo-petrol won’t be transplanted into the CX-8. However, depending on your circumstances, the current powertrains will likely be more than enough.
If you want a quality large SUV with minor use of the third row, the CX-8 is worth shortlisting against its equally well-liked competition.
However, the Mazda CX-8 isn’t without its caveats, particularly the smaller, narrow footprint that impacts the most critical factor for any three-row SUV: cabin space.
And, with the non-turbo petrol battling some lethargy on the open road, the turbo-diesel CX-8 is the clear pick if you spend time outside the ‘burbs.
The 2023 Mitsubishi ASX ES is a budget-friendly small SUV, priced from $27,490.
The ES is the second most affordable model in the ASX range that has now been around for more than a decade but continues to offer a strong value proposition.
Pricing & Features
Over the base GS, the ES adds auto wipers, LED front foglights, rear sensors, and 18-inch alloy wheels (over the GS’s 16-inch steels).
The cabin gets climate control instead of manual air-con, and auto high beam is an additional safety/convenience feature.
All ASX models feature an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and voice control.
Pay a bit more for an ASX MR and extra features include keyless entry/start, privacy glass, black alloy rims, black trim, and leather-wrapping for the steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake.
Safety
The Mitsubishi ASX ES’s standard safety tech includes forward collision mitigation, automatic high beam, rear sensors, and hill start assist.
However, the current ASX is unrated by independent crash-test body ANCAP. Its last crash test (2014) exceeds a six-year expiry period now applied to vehicles. The ASX was previously a five-star car.
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Key Rivals
The ASX ES, even with its affordable price tag, competes with a significant number of rivals.
Just some examples of key competitors include models also from Japan as well as China.
It depends on your buying priorities. The ASX is not for those looking for a small SUV with engaging driving manners or an advanced drivetrain, for example.
What it continues to offer is strong value, especially with this sub-$30K ES.
The ASX offers a surprising amount of room in the cabin, the ES has some decent features for the price, and it’s also backed by Mitsubishi’s 10-year warranty.
And if the interior is rather dated now, the exterior design is ageing well considering the ASX has been around for more than a decade.
