Mitsubishi ASX is the smallest vehicle in the company’s four-model SUV range beneath
the Eclipse Cross, Outlander and Pajero Sport.
ASX (the acronym stands for Active Sports Crossover (not Australian Stock Exchange)
has been around since 2010 and for much of this period, it has been a consistently strong
performer for Mitsubishi thanks to its combination of sensible design, functionality and
sharp pricing.
By the time the all-new second-generation ASX, that we’re testing here, arrived in late
2025 the scene that changed significantly and it now competes against a host of rivals in
the small SUV category. These include well-established vehicles like Hyundai Kona,
Mazda CX-30, Kia Seltos and Toyota Corolla Cross.
But the biggest challenge now comes from China where the Chery Tiggo 4, GWM Jolion
and MG ZS are in the top five sellers.
Mitsubishi is part of an alliance with Renault and Nissan and the all-new ASX, which is
effectively a re-badged version of the Renault Captur, is manufactured at the French
company’s Valladolid plant in northern Spain.
The all-new 2025 ASX reduced the model range from six to three. Gave it a new engine,
major tech upgrade and improved safety equipment upgrade.
It also gave it hefty price rises. Before on-road costs, these start at $37,740 for the LS, the
mid-spec Aspire sells for $42,690 and the flagship Exceed for $46,490.
The previous naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engines have now been replaced by a single
1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine that brings significant fuel efficiency and emissions
improvement.
Equipment in the entry-level LS includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, proximity
keyless entry, cloth seats, manual seat adjustment,10.4-inch infotainment touchscreen,
7.0-inch instrument cluster, rear view camera, rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing
headlamps and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The mid-spec Aspire adds 18-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, powered front seat
adjustment and side mirrors, embedded satellite navigation, Google Tech, 10-inch digital
instrument cluster, heated steering wheel and interior ambient lighting.
The flagship Exceed also gets a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery with heated front
seats and optional two-tone exterior paint.
STYLING
The front of the new ASX does carry over some of the features of the previous model
including the traditional ‘three-diamond’ badge in the centre of the six-bar chrome grille
with a black background.
The grille is flanked by wraparound LED headlights above vertical LED daytime running
lights.
The profile is sleeker than its boxier predecessor with a prominent crease rising from the
front to the rear wheel arches above some small bits of lower cladding to indicate that it’s
an SUV.
Like the front, the LED tail lights wrap around the tailgate edges with the large Mitsubishi
name spread across it.
There are five standard colours, all metallic: Crystal White, Steel Grey, Sunrise Red, Royal
Blue and Onyx Black. Depending on the variant the first four are available with a two-tone
Black Onyx roof.
INTERIOR
The biggest change in the MY25 ASX is on the inside where it has a premier look that
completely transforms the vehicle.
The dashboard features soft-touch plastic while the doors get attractive cloth inserts below
the hard plastic tops.
We love the portrait style of the central touchscreen. It’s easy to reach from the driver’s
seat and has a high-resolution display that’s sharp, fast and easy to read.
Rear seat leg and head room is pretty good for all but more than six-foot passengers who
will need the usual compromise with those in front. Five can be carried but it’s better if the
three in the back are kids.
There are two fast-charging USB-C at the base of the dashboard with another two, also
USB-C, in the rear. Rear occupants also get air vents, map pockets and a 12V outlet.
The boot has a two-level adjustable floor with maximum space of 484 litres with the rear
seatbacks in place, expandable to 1596 when folded. There’s no spare wheel, either
space saver or full-size, only the dreaded tyre repair kit.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The previous options of 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engines have now
been replaced by a single 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
Outputs are 113 kW and 270 Nm driving the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-
clutch transmission. The previous manual option has gone the same way as just about
every other passenger vehicle on the Australian market.
Based on ADR 81/02 testing the new drivetrain is 16 percent more fuel efficient with 19
percent less carbon emissions. Fuel consumption is now 6.4 litres per 100 km and carbon
emissions at 142 g/km.
SAFETY
Despite a long list of new safety features, the MY25 ASX only received a four-star rating
from ANCAP when it was tested in October 2025. This was due primarily because it
doesn’t come with a front-centre airbag.
Standard safety features across the range include front, side and curtain airbags, forward
collision mitigation and autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and
prevention, emergency lane assist, safe distance warning driver attention alert, traffic sign
recognition, three Isofix anchor points, rear parking sensors and tyre pressure monitoring.
Aspire and Exceed add adaptive cruise control, safe exit assist, traffic jam assist, blind-
spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and Mi-Pilot for semi-autonomous driving.
As is the current trend, many of the vehicle’s safety features are built into the touchscreen
although the climate control settings are located in a series of physical button below the
screen.
Rightly or wrongly many drivers get frustrated by the features such as lane correction,
driver attention warnings and speed limit alerts. As is the case in most vehicles these can
be turned off but default back on when the car stops.
In the case of the ASX there is a button called Persona which allows these features to be
grouped together and turned on or off with a single touch.
INFOTAINMENT
All ASX variants have a 10.4-inch portrait-style touchscreen in the top centre of the
dashboard. It’s clear and easy to read with only minimal distraction needed to operate.
There’s also voice activation.
Bluetooth pairing is fast and intuitive and there’s smartphone mirroring through wireless
Apple CarPlay or Android Auto along with DAB digital radio where available.
Really annoying are the locations of the audio controls which sit on a steering wheel stalk
which effectively can only be adjusted by feel.
Google tech in the higher spec variants provides access to a variety of Google resources
including Google Maps and Google Assistant.
DRIVING
The new Euro-styled ASX is slightly smaller than its Japanese predecessor which suits the
urban environment in which it’s likely to spend most of its time.
It’s also a very different car to drive. While it’s easy to drive and, while not sporting, it
handles normal day-to-day driving competently enough. Ride comfort is good and the
suppression of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) works well.
The dual-clutch transmission and turbocharged engine combine to make it a big sluggish
off the mark before the mid-range torque takes over.
Steering has a pleasant nice feel and gives the driver good response. Cornering is simple
and the ASX generally follows the chosen line without you having to correct it midway
through.
Road noise is generally well damped, but some stretches of Australia’s notorious coarse-
chip surfaces set up a fair bit of noise in the cabin.
SUMMING UP
The previous Mitsubishi ASX was a bit of an enigma because, despite remaining in its first
generation between 2010 and 2025, albeit with regular styling, technology and safety
updates, it was consistently one of the best-selling vehicles in the compact SUV segment.
The biggest hurdle facing the all-new ASX is likely to be significant price increase,
upwards of 25 per cent.
While most buyers will appreciate that European vehicles will be more expensive than
those from Asia, many will assume that the Mitsubishi badge indicates its source.
When viewed as what is effectively a totally different car the significant improvements over
the first generation ASX the case for the price increases can be justified.
The second factor is the level of competition in the small SUV market segment, especially
cheaper models coming from China.
Note that Mitsubishi is advertising an industry-leading 10-year warranty. It certainly sounds
attractive on the surface but less so when you drill down because not only is the 10-year
deal dependent upon having all servicing done exclusively at Mitsubishi dealerships, but
also the distance is limited at 200,000 km.
If you choose to have your servicing done elsewhere then the coverage drops down to five
years and 100,000 kilometres.
No doubt that will suit some buyers but deter others. Do your own sums.
RATINGS
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Safety: 6/10
Thirst: 8/10
Practicality: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10
Tech: 6/10
Value: 7/10
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
LS: $37,740
Aspire: $42,690
Exceed: $46,490
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your
local Mitsubishi dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Mitsubishi ASX Aspire 1.3-litre turbo-petrol five-door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.332 litres
Configuration: Three cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 113 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 270 Nm @ 1800 rpm
Fuel Type: 91 RON petrol
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 6.4 L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 142 g/km
DRIVELINE:
Speed-speed dual clutch
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4238 mm
Wheelbase: 2639 mm
Width: 1797 mm
Height: 1575 mm
Turning Circle: 11.1 metres
Kerb Mass: 1294 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 48 litres
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Solid disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Ten years / 200,000 kilometres (but see text)
