[SIZE="4"]Fifth Gear
Mitsubishi ASX review[/SIZE]
WE LIKE
1) Peppy new diesel engine
2) Above average sense of space
3) Entry level price tag
WE DON'T LIKE
1) Swollen Mitsubishi nose
2) Cheap interior plastics
3) The fact there's no automatic gearbox
The Japanese manufacturer believes it has brought its new family car crossover to market at just the right time, and more importantly, at the right price.
The industry's scurry towards C-segment crossovers was instigated by the runaway success of Nissan's Qashqai - the car which combined hatchback-sized practicality with an SUV profile, and flew off the shelves like honey-coated Apple iPads.
When the Qashqai was launched, Nissan figured its nearest competitors were the Focus and the Golf, but that class ambiguity has vanished now, and the ASX finds itself vying for buyers' money with direct competitors such as the Skoda Yeti, Peugeot 3008 and indirect competitors such as the Ford Kuga.
Like much of the competition, Mitsubishi set Nissan's best-seller as the benchmark when they began work on the ASX. The car is based on the manufacturer's global architecture and shares 70 per cent of its components with the larger Outlander.
Unlike the Outlander, it will be available in both two and four-wheel drive, and Mitsubishi expects the latter to make up a very small percentage of overall sales. Beneath the bonnet there is a choice of two engines - a 115bhp 1.6 litre petrol mated to a five-speed gearbox, and the new 147bhp 1.8-litre DiD turbodiesel with a six-speed manual transmission.
Mitsubishi is particularly proud of the oil burner, and claims it is the world's first passenger car diesel engine to feature variable valve timing. The all-aluminium lump develops 221lb ft of torque, which helps the ASX deliver a 0-62mph time of 9.7secs, while also managing a claimed 51mpg and 145g/km CO2.
The ASX can't quite compete with the frugality of the Qashqai's familiar 1.5 dCI, but the DiD engine does make Mitsubishi's crossover noticeably quicker. Its impression of a 2.0-litre turbodiesel is fairly comprehensive, and though it won't set the world on fire away from the lights its torque output makes it punchy at medium speeds. The ASX's extra performance does have a price though. In the pre-production model we drove the engine delivers its power with a lot of clattery background noise that's complimented by the whistling whine of a warm turbocharger. It's not worryingly obtrusive, but there's certainly no forgetting you bought a diesel.
And you won't forget you purchased a high-sided car either. The ASX is more prone to body lean than the Qashqai, and certainly doesn't feel as nimble as the Nissan over challenging roads. The steering is well-weighted though and the car never felt any less than safe and dependable which are the qualities most buyers will expect.
While it might not be an aid to handling, that SUV profile does mean extra space inside. Like most crossovers the ASX's extra headroom makes the C-segment hatchbacks seem desperately snug in comparison. The car shares its wheelbase with the Outlander which means even the tallest teenagers will be an easy fit in the back.
As advantageous as the spaciousness certainly is, the ASX's appearance is arguably the result of buyers clamouring for the pseudo-SUV look rather than extra practicality. Mitsubishi has tried hard to stretch its corporate nose over the crossover's face, but it doesn't work quite as well as on the smaller Lancer or Colt.
Admittedly these things are always subjective, but for our money the ASX's styling isn't quite as well resolved as the Qashqai's. Nevertheless, if you can see past the beauty contest, the ASX has enough going for it to place it on the ever longer shortlist of worthy crossover contenders.
Fifth Gear overall car ratings
STYLING
Be in no doubt: buyers are snapping up the crossovers chiefly for the way they look. The ASX will appeal to you if Mitsubishi's nose does, but driving a swollen Lancer isn't our idea of urban chic.
HANDLING
The ASX delivers a fairly anonymous experience from behind the wheel. The car doesn't emulate a hatchback's handling as well as some of its competitors, but it is competent nonetheless.
COMFORT
We'll have to wait to drive the car in the UK to provide a definitive answer, but over smooth German roads the ASX's ride seemed reasonably well judged. Only the jolt from a very occasional pothole suggested there might be issues when the car crosses the channel.
QUALITY & RELIABILITY
Expect the Mitsubishi to robustly deal with the daily abuse an average family will mete out, but don't expect it to look particularly good doing it. The interior is awash in plastic, and even though it's been moulded into the brand's current styling arrangement, some of its competitors do a better job of hiding their budget limitations.
PERFORMANCE
In return for its genuinely pokey performance, most buyers will probably accept the 1.8 DiD's lack of refinement. The 1.6-litre petrol engine isn't too far behind, but it does have to struggle by with half of the diesel's torque output.
ROOMINESS
Like most crossovers, this is the ASX's trump card. Its comparatively long wheelbase and SUV roofline means it feels particularly spacious - perhaps even more so than its arch enemy, the Qashqai. The Mitsubishi should swallow an average family whole.
STEREO / SAT NAV
You'll need to select the highest trim level if you want a sat-nav as standard, but if you do you'll get also get a Kenwood system thrown in, which should be a decent step up from Mitsubishi's mediocre standard unit.
RUNNING COSTS
Neither engine should be particularly expensive to run. Mitsubishi claims the petrol will return 47mpg and the diesel 51mpg. The latter produces 145g/km CO2 placing it in VED band F, while the slightly cleaner petrol makes it into band E with 138g/km.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Mitsubishi has priced the ASX to compete. Again the Qashqai is the benchmark, and the manufacturer has ensured that it enters the market with a lower price tag. However, buyers will need to be convinced by the ASX's higher performance as the 1.5dCI is cheaper than Mitsubishi's new diesel.
ENVIRONMENT
Both the ASX's engines benefit from the addition of Mitsubishi's environmental package known as ClearTec. This includes automatic stop & go, electric power steering, regenerative braking system and low rolling resistance tyres.