At its launch twelve years ago, the Mitsubishi RVR couldn’t have been more different from the model that went before it.
Introduced at a time when SUVs were starting to overhaul MPVs, the RVR followed suit and adopted a crossover-type persona inspired by the Nissan Qashqai that lead to Mitsubishi calling it the ASX or Active Sports Crossover in most export markets.
Living A New-Age SUV World
While arguably one of the models that helped kept Mitsubishi afloat through a difficult early 2010s before its eventual sale to the Renault-Nissan Alliance in 2016, its prolonging for over a decade plus four updates makes its popularity even more remarkable.
Its foundations hailing from the embers of Mitsubishi’s short-lived partnership with DaimlerChrysler, the ASX has, in recent months, been steadily clawing background after an initial line-up blunder.
As a way of introducing the Dynamic Shield front facia in 2020, all trim levels got dropped in favour of a single un-designated model equipped with either the five-speed manual gearbox or the optional CVT.
However, in an unexpected reversal a few years ago, Mitsubishi expanded the range from two to four by reviving trim grade denominators never before used in South Africa; ES replaces the GL and LS in place of the GLX.
While still far off the sales recorded by the Eclipse Cross, the Mitsubishi ASX for sale has, nonetheless, been showing its worth as a value-for-money SUV in spite of being comprehensively outgunned in a segment that has progressed considerably since 2010.
Fourth Version
With an updated model, the revised Mitsubishi ASX for sale made for a surprise offer when a fetching Red Diamond-coloured ES arrived for the weeklong stay.
While “compact” is nowadays a generic term for most SUVs, the ASX very much conforms to this classification as yet another indication of it hailing from a bygone era.
Characterised by a long bonnet line and stubby rear facia, the fourth round of updates comprise not only the Dynamic Shield grille with its chrome fog light bezels but also restyled auto on/off LED headlights, stacked LED fog lamps and a new bumper.
At the rear, Mitsubishi has fitted a new bumper complete with a faux skidplate, as well as new LED taillight clusters, which, unlike the fronts, don’t do as thorough a job of hiding the ASX’s age.
Being the base model, the ES rides on 16-inch wheels instead of the LS’ 18-inch alloys, which appear small and lost in the plastic cladding tipped wheel arches.
It is best described as a simplistic and largely neat makeover that carries over to the interior where function and ease of use take preference over flamboyance and flair.
Blending Old With The New
While unsurprisingly dated at first glance, the plastics used are surprisingly soft and of good quality, the level of fit-and-finish impressive and the ergonomics straightforward and easy to understand.
Aside from the kitsch aluminium aping plastic around the gear lever, the biggest turn-off is the aftermarket seven-inch Sony touchscreen infotainment system that looks out-of-place against the gloss black facia backdrop.
An option that replaces the conventional LCD audio display on the ES, the system, while equally user-friendly as the switchgear, not only looks dated but sports tiny physical shortcut buttons that can become a pain to operate.
The setup does, however, get Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but with limited ability to play files from a USB.
On the practical side, the Mitsubishi ASX’s boot serves up 406 litres, or a generous 1 206 litres with the 60/40 split rear back folded down.
A miss though is rear passenger headroom for taller folk with the offset being more than enough legroom.
Specification, meanwhile, is anything but poverty spec and comprises keyless entry and push-button start, all-round electric windows, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, electric mirrors, cruise control, height adjustable front seats and an easy-as-chips to operate the air-conditioning system.
Focus on safety includes rear parking sensors, traction and stability control, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist and somewhat oddly, three airbags.
When Old Tech Is Best
As further proof of the simple approach, Mitsubishi has resisted the temptation to equip the ASX with the more powerful 2.4-litre petrol engine offered in Australia and North America.
Instead, the tried-and-tested 2.0-litre petrol prevails and while its displacement and outputs of 110kW/197Nm are comprehensively beaten in the downsized turbo-era, it proved to be a pleasant surprise with just enough shove and usable grunt.
The sweet spot of the drivetrain though is the five-speed manual gearbox. While undoubtedly in need of a sixth ratio to lower the engine’s buzzy soundtrack at the national limit, the ‘box not only sports a wonderful, slick feel, but also a light clutch that makes the transmission the unquestionable one has, instead of the CVT.
Unsurprisingly, progress is anything but rapid and is best described as adequate from a vantage point easy to get comfortable in, while being subjected to a supple yet planted ride with minimal wind and road noise intrusion.
Boasting a ground clearance of 195 mm, more than sufficient to forge a dirt road or traverse pothole-riddled roads in spite of drive going to the front wheels only, the final noteworthy point is the ASX’s consumption.
Despite Mitsubishi’s claiming 7.5 L/100 km, the 585 km and seven days spent with the ASX ES in town and highway driving netted an indicated best of 6.5 L/100 km that eventually fell to seven litres per 100 km with the remaining range standing at 150 km.
Conclusion
While it has never pretended to be something it isn’t, the basic simplicity and dare I say charm of the Mitsubishi ASX ultimately belies what is one of the most dated vehicles on sale today.
Active Sports Crossover nameplate will be dramatically overhauled in 2023.
Easy to grasp and with a simple powertrain though, the ES offers a lot for its relatively little asking price. It is, therefore, not only a proud one-finger salute to complexity but an uncomplicated package that proves a point without saying too much.
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Road test shared by https://justmitsubishi.weebly.com/blog/mitsubishi-asx-offers-exceptional-value-at-entry-point
Mitsubishi Paparazzi 