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Mitsubishi ASX 1.8 M (A) First Drive Review
28 May 2010|22,007 views
And as such only three engine variants are available worldwide, an economical 1.6-litre, a 1.8-litre and a 2.0-litre lump rounding off the top of the line for the crossover.
Singapore will only get the 2.0-litre option in two trim levels, M for the base trim and G for the luxury trim.
But with Mitsubishi still awaiting delivery of its first local unit, they've kindly brought in a handful of 1.8-litre test units from the Japanese market to give the public and the media a taste of what we can expect in the ASX when they start streaming into the showrooms in a few months time.
Exterior
Looking at the ASX it's easy to see the family resemblance.
In fact, with the crossover's snout looking identical to that on the Evo X and Outlander, the fierce front mug of it would probably be the only thing in the overall design of the car that will get some people signing on the dotted lines for one.
Singapore will only get the 2.0-litre option in two trim levels, M for the base trim and G for the luxury trim.
But with Mitsubishi still awaiting delivery of its first local unit, they've kindly brought in a handful of 1.8-litre test units from the Japanese market to give the public and the media a taste of what we can expect in the ASX when they start streaming into the showrooms in a few months time.
Exterior
Looking at the ASX it's easy to see the family resemblance.
In fact, with the crossover's snout looking identical to that on the Evo X and Outlander, the fierce front mug of it would probably be the only thing in the overall design of the car that will get some people signing on the dotted lines for one.
 |
From the side, the Mitsubishi looks like how the Qashqai does, squished up and a tad awkward in design. But that seems to be inherent with these crossover's that are themselves a mish mash of a petite platform with the hopes and dreams of a much larger and propped up SUV-like body stuck on it.
Apart from the blistered wheel arches that works well with the rugged bodykit around the ASX, the rising tide line that starts from the crest of the wheel arch, it adds a little more depth and dimension to the vehicle, although I thought the belt line cutting the handles seems a tad too steep.
 |
At the back things are kept really neat with a unique LED tail lamp cluster.
Just to point out though, the ASX on sale in Singapore does not come with the extra hood mounted parking mirror that you see on the unit tested here.
Interior
First thing you'd be greeted by are the plain fabric seats that are pretty basic but nevertheless comfortable to be in once seated. Thankfully us locals won't have to put up with such unattractive seats with both variants offered here coming in leather.
The layout on the dash is kept very simple and uncluttered with all buttons and knobs not wiggling around when prodded. The head unit you see in the picture is an aftermarket unit that the local agents have fitted in the car for the purpose of filling up that gaping hole - they reassured us that the head unit in locally sold ASX's will have the JDM unit installed.
Gauges are bright and basic with the central digital display showing the fuel and temperature situation.
Awesome editions to the ASX is the "push start" button that does away with the ignition key and the cruise control buttons mounted on the steering wheel that adds some much wanted convenience to the Mitsubishi.
Just to point out though, the ASX on sale in Singapore does not come with the extra hood mounted parking mirror that you see on the unit tested here.
Interior
First thing you'd be greeted by are the plain fabric seats that are pretty basic but nevertheless comfortable to be in once seated. Thankfully us locals won't have to put up with such unattractive seats with both variants offered here coming in leather.
The layout on the dash is kept very simple and uncluttered with all buttons and knobs not wiggling around when prodded. The head unit you see in the picture is an aftermarket unit that the local agents have fitted in the car for the purpose of filling up that gaping hole - they reassured us that the head unit in locally sold ASX's will have the JDM unit installed.
Gauges are bright and basic with the central digital display showing the fuel and temperature situation.
Awesome editions to the ASX is the "push start" button that does away with the ignition key and the cruise control buttons mounted on the steering wheel that adds some much wanted convenience to the Mitsubishi.
It also has a sunroof that's activated by a single touch of the button housed above. But when close the sides of the roof glow in orange as ambient lighting - great for those romantic evenings out.
Based on the Outlander's platform but with a smaller wheelbase, the ASX is predictably comfortable when sitting at the back.
416 litre of luggage space can be enjoyed when the rear seats fold down flat with a simple tug of a handle.
Driving Impressions
With the 1.8-litre MIVEC engine pushing out 139bhp at a pretty high 6,000 rpm, the ASX does noticeably struggle to get up to speed from a stop and with your foot planted on the floor, the engine will give you ample notice that it really doesn't appreciate you working it that hard.
Then you've got the stepless CVT gearbox that brings on the full fuel saving efforts Mitsubishi has been aspiring on achieving with the car.
The drive is smooth and the unnatural jerkless nature of gearboxes that you're more used to will take some getting used to but besides that, the ASX is a relaxed place to be in and a vehicle to drive.
Thankfully though the Singapore variants will both have the more powerful 2.0-litre engines in that manages to conjure up 150bhp and 197Nm of torque.
Based on the Outlander's platform but with a smaller wheelbase, the ASX is predictably comfortable when sitting at the back.
416 litre of luggage space can be enjoyed when the rear seats fold down flat with a simple tug of a handle.
Driving Impressions
With the 1.8-litre MIVEC engine pushing out 139bhp at a pretty high 6,000 rpm, the ASX does noticeably struggle to get up to speed from a stop and with your foot planted on the floor, the engine will give you ample notice that it really doesn't appreciate you working it that hard.
Then you've got the stepless CVT gearbox that brings on the full fuel saving efforts Mitsubishi has been aspiring on achieving with the car.
The drive is smooth and the unnatural jerkless nature of gearboxes that you're more used to will take some getting used to but besides that, the ASX is a relaxed place to be in and a vehicle to drive.
Thankfully though the Singapore variants will both have the more powerful 2.0-litre engines in that manages to conjure up 150bhp and 197Nm of torque.
 |
Should you buy it?
At the moment the Mitsubishi ASX is priced at $104,988, just $188 more than the less powerful and less equipped Nissan Qashqai and almost $3000 more than the 1.8-litre Honda Crossroad.
So for those not wanting to seek the typical small family sedan, this could be a viable option if ever they decide to break away from the pack. It's been optimised to sip fuel, observes a pliant ride and looks attractive enough for the current market.
Nissan's bringing in their brand new Qashqai though and with such a negligible difference between the last car and the ASX, the latest version, which looks tones better, might possibly rob the ASX of a good portion of sales.
At the moment the Mitsubishi ASX is priced at $104,988, just $188 more than the less powerful and less equipped Nissan Qashqai and almost $3000 more than the 1.8-litre Honda Crossroad.
So for those not wanting to seek the typical small family sedan, this could be a viable option if ever they decide to break away from the pack. It's been optimised to sip fuel, observes a pliant ride and looks attractive enough for the current market.
Nissan's bringing in their brand new Qashqai though and with such a negligible difference between the last car and the ASX, the latest version, which looks tones better, might possibly rob the ASX of a good portion of sales.
And as such only three engine variants are available worldwide, an economical 1.6-litre, a 1.8-litre and a 2.0-litre lump rounding off the top of the line for the crossover.
Singapore will only get the 2.0-litre option in two trim levels, M for the base trim and G for the luxury trim.
But with Mitsubishi still awaiting delivery of its first local unit, they've kindly brought in a handful of 1.8-litre test units from the Japanese market to give the public and the media a taste of what we can expect in the ASX when they start streaming into the showrooms in a few months time.
Exterior
Looking at the ASX it's easy to see the family resemblance.
In fact, with the crossover's snout looking identical to that on the Evo X and Outlander, the fierce front mug of it would probably be the only thing in the overall design of the car that will get some people signing on the dotted lines for one.
Singapore will only get the 2.0-litre option in two trim levels, M for the base trim and G for the luxury trim.
But with Mitsubishi still awaiting delivery of its first local unit, they've kindly brought in a handful of 1.8-litre test units from the Japanese market to give the public and the media a taste of what we can expect in the ASX when they start streaming into the showrooms in a few months time.
Exterior
Looking at the ASX it's easy to see the family resemblance.
In fact, with the crossover's snout looking identical to that on the Evo X and Outlander, the fierce front mug of it would probably be the only thing in the overall design of the car that will get some people signing on the dotted lines for one.
|
From the side, the Mitsubishi looks like how the Qashqai does, squished up and a tad awkward in design. But that seems to be inherent with these crossover's that are themselves a mish mash of a petite platform with the hopes and dreams of a much larger and propped up SUV-like body stuck on it.
Apart from the blistered wheel arches that works well with the rugged bodykit around the ASX, the rising tide line that starts from the crest of the wheel arch, it adds a little more depth and dimension to the vehicle, although I thought the belt line cutting the handles seems a tad too steep.
|
At the back things are kept really neat with a unique LED tail lamp cluster.
Just to point out though, the ASX on sale in Singapore does not come with the extra hood mounted parking mirror that you see on the unit tested here.
Interior
First thing you'd be greeted by are the plain fabric seats that are pretty basic but nevertheless comfortable to be in once seated. Thankfully us locals won't have to put up with such unattractive seats with both variants offered here coming in leather.
The layout on the dash is kept very simple and uncluttered with all buttons and knobs not wiggling around when prodded. The head unit you see in the picture is an aftermarket unit that the local agents have fitted in the car for the purpose of filling up that gaping hole - they reassured us that the head unit in locally sold ASX's will have the JDM unit installed.
Gauges are bright and basic with the central digital display showing the fuel and temperature situation.
Awesome editions to the ASX is the "push start" button that does away with the ignition key and the cruise control buttons mounted on the steering wheel that adds some much wanted convenience to the Mitsubishi.
Just to point out though, the ASX on sale in Singapore does not come with the extra hood mounted parking mirror that you see on the unit tested here.
Interior
First thing you'd be greeted by are the plain fabric seats that are pretty basic but nevertheless comfortable to be in once seated. Thankfully us locals won't have to put up with such unattractive seats with both variants offered here coming in leather.
The layout on the dash is kept very simple and uncluttered with all buttons and knobs not wiggling around when prodded. The head unit you see in the picture is an aftermarket unit that the local agents have fitted in the car for the purpose of filling up that gaping hole - they reassured us that the head unit in locally sold ASX's will have the JDM unit installed.
Gauges are bright and basic with the central digital display showing the fuel and temperature situation.
Awesome editions to the ASX is the "push start" button that does away with the ignition key and the cruise control buttons mounted on the steering wheel that adds some much wanted convenience to the Mitsubishi.
It also has a sunroof that's activated by a single touch of the button housed above. But when close the sides of the roof glow in orange as ambient lighting - great for those romantic evenings out.
Based on the Outlander's platform but with a smaller wheelbase, the ASX is predictably comfortable when sitting at the back.
416 litre of luggage space can be enjoyed when the rear seats fold down flat with a simple tug of a handle.
Driving Impressions
With the 1.8-litre MIVEC engine pushing out 139bhp at a pretty high 6,000 rpm, the ASX does noticeably struggle to get up to speed from a stop and with your foot planted on the floor, the engine will give you ample notice that it really doesn't appreciate you working it that hard.
Then you've got the stepless CVT gearbox that brings on the full fuel saving efforts Mitsubishi has been aspiring on achieving with the car.
The drive is smooth and the unnatural jerkless nature of gearboxes that you're more used to will take some getting used to but besides that, the ASX is a relaxed place to be in and a vehicle to drive.
Thankfully though the Singapore variants will both have the more powerful 2.0-litre engines in that manages to conjure up 150bhp and 197Nm of torque.
Based on the Outlander's platform but with a smaller wheelbase, the ASX is predictably comfortable when sitting at the back.
416 litre of luggage space can be enjoyed when the rear seats fold down flat with a simple tug of a handle.
Driving Impressions
With the 1.8-litre MIVEC engine pushing out 139bhp at a pretty high 6,000 rpm, the ASX does noticeably struggle to get up to speed from a stop and with your foot planted on the floor, the engine will give you ample notice that it really doesn't appreciate you working it that hard.
Then you've got the stepless CVT gearbox that brings on the full fuel saving efforts Mitsubishi has been aspiring on achieving with the car.
The drive is smooth and the unnatural jerkless nature of gearboxes that you're more used to will take some getting used to but besides that, the ASX is a relaxed place to be in and a vehicle to drive.
Thankfully though the Singapore variants will both have the more powerful 2.0-litre engines in that manages to conjure up 150bhp and 197Nm of torque.
|
Should you buy it?
At the moment the Mitsubishi ASX is priced at $104,988, just $188 more than the less powerful and less equipped Nissan Qashqai and almost $3000 more than the 1.8-litre Honda Crossroad.
So for those not wanting to seek the typical small family sedan, this could be a viable option if ever they decide to break away from the pack. It's been optimised to sip fuel, observes a pliant ride and looks attractive enough for the current market.
Nissan's bringing in their brand new Qashqai though and with such a negligible difference between the last car and the ASX, the latest version, which looks tones better, might possibly rob the ASX of a good portion of sales.
At the moment the Mitsubishi ASX is priced at $104,988, just $188 more than the less powerful and less equipped Nissan Qashqai and almost $3000 more than the 1.8-litre Honda Crossroad.
So for those not wanting to seek the typical small family sedan, this could be a viable option if ever they decide to break away from the pack. It's been optimised to sip fuel, observes a pliant ride and looks attractive enough for the current market.
Nissan's bringing in their brand new Qashqai though and with such a negligible difference between the last car and the ASX, the latest version, which looks tones better, might possibly rob the ASX of a good portion of sales.
Car Information
Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 M (A)
CAT B|Petrol|13.2km/L
Horsepower
112kW (150 bhp)
Torque
197 Nm
Acceleration
-
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
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