• Home
• Green cars
• Electric cars
• Hybrid cars
• Hydrogen cars
• Road tests
• Blog
• World news

Quick links: Eco Driving Tips | Road tax prices | Most economical cars | Low emission cars | Biofuel | Advantages / Disadvantages of biofuel | LPG | Electric vans

Poll

Awards won by TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk

Information

There’s a straight choice between petrol or diesel with the ASX, with only one engine choice for either type of fuel. Due to its low entry-price, the 1.6-litre petrol is set to be the big seller of the ASX range. It comes with 115bhp, which takes the two-wheel drive-only petrol model from 0-62mph in 11.4 seconds. It gets through the five-speed manual gearbox without fuss and the gear change is one of the smoothest Mitsubishi has yet built. The petrol engine does a decent job but it needs a few revs to give its best, though motorways are dispatched with a fair degree of refinement. A better bet is the 147bhp 1.8-litre turbodiesel, though this is the more expensive choice. It comes in two- and four-wheel drive versions, offering 0-62mph in 9.7- and 10.0 seconds respectively. Both feel spritely and the turbodiesel engine pulls hard from low revs all the way to its red line. However, there’s an uncultured edge to the ASX’s diesel engine that discourages working it too hard, even if its six-speed manual gearbox is good to use.

Easily the most impressive aspect of the ASX on the driving front its supple ride quality. Over every type of UK road, it makes light feet of dancing over ruts, rumbles and ridges to make the ASX a more comfortable place to spend a journey than a Nissan Qashqai. This also makes the ASX very handy in the urban environment, where it takes sleeping policemen, speed humps and potholes with equal ease. The downside to the cushy ride is the ASX leans quite a lot in corners and the handling feels merely adequate rather than rivalling a decent small hatch, such as a Volkswagen Golf that the Mitsubishi has to contend with for buyers’ cash. The petrol engine is quiet, but the diesel makes too much noise when worked a little harder to give its best. Wind and road noise are also partners in the audio background at higher speeds in the ASX where a Ford Kuga is a quieter companion.

The ASX is typical of Mitsubishi’s approach to cabins: it looks a little downmarket but there’s no denying it will withstand prolong family use. It’s a shame the materials are not more appealing as the general flair of the ASX’s cabin is quite appealing. Still, the cars we’ve tried have been free of rattles and creaks, which is not something you can say of some other Mitsubishi offerings of late. The mechanical side of the ASX should also prove durable, even if the new diesel technology is yet to prove itself over a longer period of use. As for the four-wheel drive system, this is a derivation of the all-wheel drive used in the Lancer, so it should be trouble-free.

The ASX certainly doesn’t skimp when it comes to protecting its occupants as it includes twin front, side and curtain airbags plus a driver’s knee airbag to give a grand total of seven airbags as standard on all models. There are also anti-whiplash head rests, ABS anti-lock brakes with brake assist to apportion stopping power to where it can best be used in an emergency. In an emergency stop, the brake lights flash to warn following cars that you are slowing rapidly. Also included with every model is traction and stability control and the ASX has scored a full five-star rating from Euro NCAP. An alarm, deadlocks and immobiliser should be enough to deter most thieves.

Mitsubishi has managed to find plenty of cabin space in the ASX despite its relatively short length. The higher sides of this crossover model help by letting the car’s occupants sit upright with plenty of headroom front and rear. There’s also decent shoulder space and even tall drivers can find a comfy position thank to the generous legroom of the ASX. The rear seat is broad enough for three children to fit in easily, but adults might find it a bit more snug. A generous boot is a welcome sight and there’s hidden storage under the boot floor for added security. The rear seats can also be folded completely flat without having to touch the rear seat base to leave a surprisingly large load bay for bigger cargoes. Vision in all directions is good for the driver and the ASX is easy to park, helped by its compact dimensions.

Mitsubishi does not perform as well in this area as some of its rivals as the carbon dioxide emissions of the ASX are only middling compared to some of the competition. The cleanest is the 1.6-litre petrol’s 135g/km emissions, while the front-drive diesel manages 145g/km. Go for the four-wheel drive diesel and this creeps up to 150g/km, so the ASX becomes less attractive to emissions-conscious company buyers. However, some honour is restored by the petrol’s 47.1mpg average economy and the diesel’s 51.4mpg. or 49.6mpg for the all-wheel drive model. Every ASX is well fitted out with air conditioning, keyless entry, ESP traction and stability control, and Auto Stop/Start to help save fuel and lower emissions in town traffic. The up-spec 4 trim also comes with leather seats, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connection and a reverse parking camera. Even so, residual values of the ASX will not be as strong as some of its main contenders in this sector, so it sticks on three stars instead of four despite the generous equipment list.

Mitsubishi contract hire and leasing