But as far as those go, it’s a pretty good one.
Mitsubishi must be very happy with their segment-leading ASX, so much so that while other carmakers would be cueing up a full model replacement, they’re content with just giving the small SUV a facelift. To be fair it’s a pretty extensive facelift but even so, an all-new ASX would’ve been nice.
But thanks to those extensive exterior changes, plenty of buyers will be content with bringing one of these home. Those changes begin at the front, where Mitsubishi’s ‘Dynamic Shield Face’ is better executed this time around, far more cohesive than previous iterations. There are slim headlights flanking a slim upper grille, while fatter foglights & indicators pinch a lower grille. No changes down the side, but the rear benefits from new taillights & rear bumper, with the lower section of the latter featuring a ‘skid plate’ design that mirrors the same element on the front bumper. Neat.
Step inside and you’re greeted by… largely the same interior, sans for one relatively important change. The infotainment system is now 8-inches across, as opposed to 7-inches across previously, and it supports smartphone mirroring and video playback (but only with the car stationary).
There are no mechanical changes either, so the ASX soldiers on with the same 110kW/197Nm petrol-4 with either a CVT auto or a 5-speed manual. Anyone holding out for an ASX with the 1.5-turbo from the Eclipse Cross will be sorely disappointed.
What we’re hoping to see, when the ASX makes its local landfall sometime in July or August, is an update in active safety technology. The inclusion of AEB, collision warning, blind-spot monitoring and so on would be a welcome change for the ASX, which continues to outsell newer rivals like the Mazda CX-3 and Hyundai Kona despite the ADAS deficiencies.
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