MY13 Mitsubishi ASX Aspire Road Test
Review by Tristan Tancredi - 16 January 2013
The ASX, Mitsubishis competitior in the increasingly popular Compact SUV market. From 2005 alone, SUV sales have skyrocketed in the Australian market with a growth of 70% and more specifically, small SUV sales have risen from 2400 (January, 2011) to 4500 (July, 2012).
So, it comes as no surprise that a lot of time, effort and money have been put into the refinement of the ASX. The result is a modern family car that is hoping to take a large slice out of the healthy SUV market.
An extensive range includes the entry level 2WD 5 Door Wagon, the Aspire 2WD, the Aspire 4WD Diesel and the Aspire 4WD Petrol. We were lucky enough to coast around in the Aspire 4WD Diesel, let's take a closer look.
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| Drive | Engine | Exterior | Interior | Safety |
Drive: 4/5
If you don't know how to work a clutch, or you're only in the market for an "auto" then stop reading this review now. The Aspire 4WD Diesel is only available with 6-speed manual transmission. However, not all is lost, the remaining ASX range (2WD, 2WD Aspire & 4WD Aspire Petrol) all come with CVT Automatic transmission.
For the most part, the 6-Speed Manual Transmission works well. There is a slight delay whilst the turbo gets itself charged up, but right through the 6 gears it's pretty smooth sailing. The maximum torque of 300Nm provides enough grunt, yet it's 0-100km/h figures are hardly breathtaking (10.2 seconds).
On (and off) road and the ASX steers and handles well across a variety of surfaces. The suspension allows the vehicle to comfortably navigate through city streets and there is enough wiggle room so that potholes and bumpy surfaces are far from a hindrance.
Taking the vehicle off-road and it's more then adequate. Although it must be said, it's designed for city driving and we suspect, most buyers will do just that!
Hill Start Control is also a valuable safety addition. Kicking in when starting the vehicle on a slope, HSC will stabilise the vehicle for a few seconds and prevent the car from rolling back. Thus, making it simple to scamper away in first gear without hitting the car sitting behind.
The 4X4 Aspire Diesel drinks the least amount of fuel within the model range at 5.9L per 100kms. For an SUV, that is mighty impressive.
Engine: 4/5
A 1.8 litre 4 cylinder 16 valve MIVEC intercooled turbo common rail diesel engine powers the Aspire 4WD Diesel. After testing the 2.0 litre petrol engines (which reside in the remaining ASX variants) during the ASX Launch in August 2012, the 1.8 litre Common Rail Diesel engine provides more zip than the 2.0 litre.
The 2.0 litre struggled to carry the weight of the SUV when overtaking or from a standing start. The Diesel engine had no such problems and seemed a much better engine fit for the weight and design of the ASX.
The 1.8 litre diesel engine delivers maximum power 110kW @ 4000rpm and maximum torque of 300Nm @ 2000-3000rpm. In comparison, the 2.0 litre petrol engine produces maximum power of 110kW @ 6000rpm and maximum torque of 197Nm @ 4200rpm. The higher torque value for the diesel engine is most evident when overtaking or taking off from a standing start.
The 1.8 litre MIVEC intercooled turbo common rail diesel engine is the pick of the ASX models and as expected, emits a notable diesel rattle.
Exterior: 4/5
Maintaining a similar feel to the MY12 version, the 2013 ASX has had a few physical changes including smoother edges style lines and an upgraded frontal design.
The ASX measures in at 4,295mm long, 1,170mm wide and 1,615mm high. The Aspire 4WD Diesel has a lower ground clearance (180mm) than the rest of the range (195mm), which will only become apparent to the more hardcore off-roaders out there.
Other notable exterior features to cap off a stylish looking SUV include; chrome grille surround, chrome side window garnish and a chrome exhaust tip.
Safety: 5/5
The Mitsubishi ASX has been awarded a 5-Star ANCAP Safety rating. No surprises there.
Safety features include; Driver & front passenger SRS airbags, Driver & front passenger side SRS airbags, Curtain SRS airbags, Driver knee airbag, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Active Stability Control (ASC), Active Traction Control (ATC), Hill Start Control (HSC), Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body, Reverse parking sensors and a Reverse camera.
Interior: 4/5
The most distinctive update to the 2013 ASX range is the aesthetic improvements and practicality of the dials and controls. Everything inside the cabin seems to be in a better position than its predecessor, thus creating a cleaner, smarter looking interior.
The steering wheel controls are one such improvement that, simply put, make changing the media, cruise control or Bluetooth so much easier.
It's leather all around inside the ASX 4WD Diesel, leather gear knob, leather steering wheel, leather bucket seats, hell even door trim leather look inserts. The leather bucket seats are not only heated but more importantly are downright comfortable. There is plenty of space inside the cabin for a family of 5 to lounge in comfort on long trips. With 416 litres of space in the boot (1193L with seats down), there is adequate space for a few large suitcases and a pram. Yet, as a city sized SUV, boot space is somewhat limited.
On the media front, Mitsubishi disappoints with the lack of an AUX input and picky bluetooth audio streaming. Nonetheless, the ASX is fitted with iPod compatibility and a USB input. The Mitsubishi Multi-Information Display is standard across the ASX range and includes; a trip computer, outside temperature and average fuel consumption. The information is displayed on a Mitsubishi Multi Communication System (MMCS) display screen.
The cabin experience is enhanced with Climate Control Air Conditioning, a Pollen Filter and 4 Speakers (A Rockford Fosgate Premium Audio System is available as an optional extra).
Overall: 4/5
The ASX has undergone a pricing restructure so that Mitsubishi can remain competitive in the city-sized SUV market. As of mid 2012, Mitsubishi was selling about 600 ASXs per month (up from 200 on average in 2010).
To capitilise on this growth in the market, Mitsubishi have lowered prices across the range and introduced a new variant, the 2WD Aspire. There are high expectations from Mitsubishi management that the ASX is taking the brand in the right direction.
Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, MMAL President and CEO, said the new look ASX reflects Mirsubushi Motors' global styling direction of Solid-Safe-Simple.
"The ASX has proven to be a popular vehicle in the Australian market and we are confident the new look model will continue to appeal to customers who need a versatile, compact SUV with plenty of functionality and safety features".
The 4WD Aspire Diesel is priced from $32,490. Check one out today.
* Prices are manufacturer list prices only, for the drive away price please contact your local authorised Mitsubishi dealer.
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