Used Mitsubishi ASX 2010-present review

Mitsubishi is an incredibly diverse company. Not only do they make everything from air conditioning units, concrete, buses, trucks, paper, aircraft and so on, but they also make a few cars. The Shogun was a popular SUV choice during the 1990s but it fell out of favour due to its large size and associated running costs. So Mitsubishi, being the company that it is, diversified and built a smaller version to compete in the growing small SUV market, the Mitsubishi ASX.

Like its larger brethren, the ASX can still be had with four-wheel drive on some diesel models to help provide it with additional traction in slippery conditions. However, unlike the Shogun and Shogun Sport, the ASX much smaller in size to make it easier to drive and park in town, and goes up against rivals such as the Suzuki Vitara, Nissan Qashqai and Seat Ateca.

Powering the ASX is a choice of one 115bhp 1.6-litre petrol and three diesel engines: a 114bhp or 147bhp 1.8-litre, a 148bhp 2.2-litre with four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox, or a 112bhp 1.6-litre that replaced the 1.8. Petrol models come with a five-speed manual while the diesels get either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto.

The base model 2 comes with air conditioning, Bluetooth audio and 16in alloy wheels, but 3 models have a much higher level of standard equipment with climate control, rear parking sensors, cruise control and automatic lights and wipers. 4 adds leather and sat nav while the top-of-the-range 5 has electric front seat adjustment.

It’s when you get into the ASX that things start to disappoint. It can seat five, but rear seat legroom can be tight for taller people and the boot certainly isn’t the most accommodating in the class. The seats almost fold flat, though, which does help when you need to load longer items into the car. Space up front is fine and you have a good view out thanks to its high seating position. Visibility is also helped by relatively thin pillars and big door mirrors.

You’re better off adopting a relaxed driving style with the ASX because it isn’t the sort of car for those who crave driving thrills. If that’s the case, buy a Seat Ateca. The steering in the ASX is quite slow and requires more input than you might initially expect; it is light for parking, though. The gear change can be notchy and has a long travel to it, while the ride is generally soft and is only caught out by the worst potholes. Trouble is, the ASX might be small for an SUV, but it feels like a big SUV to drive thanks to pronounced body roll, vague steering and a tendency to wash wide in corners at speeds where more modern rivals would have no trouble retaining their composure. The ASX also suffers from lots of tyre noise and some rather unrefined engines.

If you’re comfortable buying an ASX with 100,000 miles or more, an early 2010 car can be found for just under £5000. £8000 will get you a 2013 or 2014 model with below average mileage and from a reputable dealer. A facelifted 2015 car is a bit more at £10,000, while a year old example with less than 10,000 miles should cost you about £15,000.

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Unfortunately, the Mitsubishi ASX isn’t as inexpensive to run as some of its small SUV rivals There’s only one petrol option and it doesn’t offer the economy of a downsized turbocharged unit, with an official NEDC figure of 47.1mpg and £140 tax.

The diesel engines aren’t much better. A 114bhp 1.8 has a figure of 56.5mpg and £140 road tax while the 147bhp version of the same engine drops down to 51.4mpg and cost £155 in tax. The four-wheel drive 2.2-litre diesel is even thirstier at 48.7mpg and £195 in yearly tax. If you want the lowest running costs, then you’ll need the 1.6-litre diesel that was added after the facelift because that has an official figure of 61.4mpg and only £30 tax.

Servicing costs will be higher than average due to lower mileage intervals between services. However, if your car is over three years old, you can take advantage of Mitsubishi’s Value and Value + servicing that still gives you a year’s worth of warranty on the parts installed while spreading the cost over monthly repayments.

If you have to have a petrol because you do mostly short journeys, then you only have one engine option to choose from. However, we’d suggest going for the later 1.6-litre diesel because of its competitive running costs.

When it comes to which version to go for we’d recommend the 3 trim level because it comes with lots of equipment without costing you a fortune.

Our favourite Mitsubishi ASX: 1.6 DI-D 3

The trouble with the Mitsubishi ASX is that many of its competitors are much nicer to drive and cost less to run.

Our favourite small SUV is the Seat Ateca because it is the best car in its class to drive and feels just as sporty as the family hatchback Leon upon which it is based. You also get a big boot, a spacious and well put together interior along with a great range of petrol and diesel engines.

The Nissan Qashqai has been a firm favourite with small SUV buyers because it’s very comfortable, is well equipped, nicely refined and, in 1.5-litre diesel form, highly economical.

If you like good value and demand strong reliability, then the Suzuki Vitara is worth a look. It’s fun to drive, too, and the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine turns the Vitara into a surprisingly quick small SUV.

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