IT’S almost unbelievable that the oldest small SUV on sale in Australia is in a neck-and-neck battle with the Mazda CX-3 in the sales race.

Yet the Mitsubishi ASX’s appeal is obvious – low on price, big on space and long on warranty. Never mind that it’s all a little rough and ready.

The simple and successful formula must drive makers of newer compact crossovers spare. So why change the recipe?

For its eighth year in the market, the ASX receives a series of updates that are meant to be easier on the ears as well as on the eye. Are they enough?