Mitsubishi ASX 2014 Car Auto Review
Mitsubishi X Auto
X shares some DNA with the rally-bred Evo sports saloon, expectations are certainly raised. Crossovers should be fun to drive, despite their taller bodywork, and the Mitsubishi is quite enjoyable to steer around town. But, drive along a particularly testing road and the ASX feels more like a traditional 4x4 than the Skoda Yeti manages. Luckily, its softer suspension also means the ASX is good at smoothing out pot holes and bumps, which should please owners.
We’re driving the 2.2-liter diesel automatic with four-wheel drive which hits 62mph in around ten seconds, but emits a rather agricultural growl. There’s also a front-wheel drive petrol 1.6 or 1.8-liter diesel and we’d recommend the latter, which is just as quick as this car, as well as being quieter and more economical. Most buyers probably won’t take their ASX off-road, so having just front-wheel drive is unlikely to cause any problems. The car we’re in manages 48.7mpg, almost ten less than the 1.8 diesel and only one more than the petrol.
The ASX costs between £130 and £180 to tax, which is high compared to the Skoda Yeti with tax from just £30. Mitsubishi has a long reputation of building rugged 4x4s, so it’s not surprising the ASX was one of the first crossover’s to arrive in the UK. With handsome looks, punchy engines and the option of two or four-wheel drive it certainly fulfills the crossover brief.
But, with so many manufacturers bringing out new models in the last few years, the ASX is starting to feel a bit dated. It’s not quite as fun to drive as the Yeti or as cheap to run as a Nissan Qashqai. But that doesn’t make the ASX a bad car and it could even prove to be a savvy buy as it’s particularly well-equipped. What do you think of the Mitsubishi ASX?
