EVERY decade seems to have its standout hit that resonates with the buying public – Chrysler Sigma (1970s), Ford Falcon (1980s), Hyundai Excel (1990s), Mazda3 (2000s) … and for this dying decade, it must surely be the Mitsubishi ASX.

Launched in July 2010, the Lancer-based crossover snuck in and sold indifferently at first, but as improvements arrived with successive updates its grip on the Small SUV class tightened.

Facelifted for the third time, the XD-series for 2020 attempts to maintain the number one sales spot with a fresh new look, but can it appease critics who’ve long decried the ageing warhorse’s dreary performance, tired dynamics, dated cabin and patchy refinement?