Review - 2024 Mitsubishi ASX

Designed as a user-friendly small SUV package perfect as an urban runaround, the Mitsubishi ASX range has been a solid performer in the segment for over a decade.

That long-standing sales history may be starting to work against the ASX, though, which is competing against more modern rivals in the ever-competitive small SUV segment.

Just how well does the Mitsubishi ASX stand on its own feet, and is it deserving of a spot on your small SUV shortlist? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Mitsubishi ASX Competition

Starting Price: $24,490

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How Much Does It Cost?

The 2024 Mitsubishi ASX range is priced from $24,490 for the entry-level ASX GS Manual, with prices rising to $26,740 for the ASX GS Automatic.

From here the range moves to the ASX ES, priced at $27,990 while the ASX MR is priced at $29,740, with prices rising to $30,490 for the ASX LS.

Stepping up to the ASX GSR brings the price to $32,740 while the range-topping ASX Exceed is priced at $35,240.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Mitsubishi ASX - ES (2WD) Specifications

What Features Does the Mitsubishi ASX Have?

Mitsubishi’s entry-level ASX GS comes riding on a set of 16-inch steel wheels, and receives LED headlights and daytime running lamps, cloth upholstery, cruise control, a rearview camera, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto paired with a four-speaker sound system.

Moving up the range to the ASX ES adds a set of 18-inch alloys, automatic headlights with fog lights, climate control, rear parking sensors and lane departure alerts, while the ASX MR picks up black 18-inch alloys, keyless entry & start and red contrast stitching.

Stepping up to the ASX LS adds keyless entry & start, a leather steering wheel and gear lever, roof rails, rear privacy glass, rear cross-traffic alerts and blind-spot monitoring.

Opting for the premium ASX GSR adds a more powerful 2.4-litre engine, a black grille, mirrors and alloy wheels, a mix of leather and microsuede upholstery, aluminium pedals and wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Finally, the range-topping ASX Exceed picks up leather upholstery with heated, power-adjustable front seats, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, a bespoke front grille, auto-levelling headlights and an upgraded nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system.

Range Features:

• 16-inch steel wheels 

• LED headlights & daytime running lamps 

• Cloth upholstery

• Cruise control 

• Rearview camera

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• 18-inch alloys (ES) 

• Climate control (ES) 

• Keyless entry (MR) 

• Leather steering wheel & gear lever (LS) 

• Roof rails (LS) 

• 2.4-litre engine (GSR) 

• Leather/microsuede upholstery (GSR) 

• Leather upholstery with heated, power-adjustable front seats (Exceed)

• Panoramic sunroof (Exceed) 

• Nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system (Exceed)

What’s the Best Engine Option for the Mitsubishi ASX?

Power for most of the range comes supplied by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit pushing out 110kW of power and 197Nm of torque, which is pretty much par for the course for base model compact SUVs.

Power is thrown to the front wheels via a five-speed manual in the base GS, while all other members of the ASX pick up a CVT automatic that is equal parts smooth and uninspiring.

Acceleration from the base engine is more than acceptable. While it doesn’t necessarily excite - it’s enough for a daily drive around town and even long stretches on the highway without being too stressed.

Buyers looking for some more power may be interested in stepping up to the 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine fitted to the more premium GSR and Exceed, which produces 123kW of power and 222Nm of torque.

While there’s an incremental improvement to acceleration, we’d advise against upgrading to the larger engine solely for the power upgrade- it’s not substantial enough in its own right to justify the price premium.

Is the Mitsubishi ASX Comfortable to Drive?

While there’s not too much to get excited about in terms of the driving experience, the ASX range remains a user-friendly and relatively comfortable small SUV package that is perfect for the urban jungle.

Around town, the ASX is happy to dart through traffic thanks to its lightweight package, while the relatively narrow footprint makes for a super simple package to park in a cramped supermarket.

User-friendliness has always been atop the priorities list in the small SUV segment, and in this respect, the ASX doesn’t disappoint because it’s remarkably user-friendly behind the wheel.

The suspension offers enough play to eat up smaller and moderate-sized bumps on the road, though the platform struggles to keep up with bumpy, high-speed country roads.

 The highway ride quality is reasonably comfortable and the ASX feels more planted on the highway than some rivals, making for an impressively versatile small SUV package, especially considering its price.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

Mitsubishi’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol powering the majority of the range offers fuel economy figures of 7.7L/100km in the manual, dropping to 7.6L/100km on a combined cycle, making it reasonably fuel-efficient but toward the lower third of the compact SUV segment.

Buyers looking for some extra pace can expect to see their fuel economy figures rise to 7.9L/100km on a combined cycle.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While it might not have the most modern or attractive cabin layout, space and practicality are two very strong selling points of the ASX.

Compact SUVs are inherently limited when it comes to interior space, particularly in the second row, though the ASX offers a surprisingly roomy cabin that makes it usable as a small family car.

Up front, the driver and front passenger have a decent amount of headroom and while the dash rises high, there’s still a great deal of visibility to get comfortable with your surroundings.

Storage options in the front of the cabin include a storage tray sitting behind the gear lever, while there’s a pair of cupholders, added storage inside the folding armrest and two storage options in each of the door sills.

The cabin is no doubt showing some serious signs of age, though the 8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto is keeping up well with the times, particularly at this end of the market.

Move to the rear of the cabin and the ASX trumps many of its competitors when it comes to accommodating adults in the second row, meaning you’re unlikely to hear any complaints from young kids.

While headroom isn’t amazing, it’s certainly better than the rear of most of its compact SUV rivals, which often have a roofline that begins to eat away at headroom potential… but not in the ASX.

The second row doesn’t have much in the way of amenities, though you will find a pair of ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts across the three rear seats for child seats.

Finally, the ASX has a boot measuring in at 393L which is pretty capacious for the segment, expanding to a total of 1193L with the rear seats folded in a 60/40 split.

Is it Safe?

Mitsubishi ASX vehicles produced from the 1st of January, 2023 are unrated by ANCAP, while those produced before the 1st of January retain a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

As standard, the ASX range receives a bare-bones safety equipment list that includes a rear-view camera, autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warnings and seven airbags.

Stepping up to the ASX ES and above adds a set of rear parking sensors, and lane departure alerts while the LS and above epic up blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts.

Our Verdict: Is the Mitsubishi ASX Worth it?

While its age means that the ASX struggles to compete in some areas like safety and fuel efficiency, it remains a seriously attractive value proposition within the world of small SUVs.

As a complete package, though, the ASX remains easy to drive, impressively spacious and practical for the segment and makes for a great addition to your compact SUV shortlist if you’re shopping around.

For those looking to buy a new car shortly, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who is here to help find you the best possible price.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Two petrol four-cylinder engines available

3. 7.7 - 7.9L/100km combined cycle fuel economy figures

4. Unrated ANCAP safety rating (for models produced after 1 January, 2023)

5. 393L boot space