Entry-level Mitsubishi ASX now $1K cheaper

AN UPDATED and rationalised line-up of Mitsubishi’s popular ASX small SUV is rolling off the assembly line for a December launch priced from $23,990 plus on-road costs for the new entry-level GS variant with five-speed manual gearbox.

Bringing the entry point to Mitsubishi ownership down by $1000, the GS – the only ASX available with a manual – can also be specified with an optional automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT), adding $2250 to the sticker.

While not earth-shattering in its scope, the ASX range upgrade will provide buyers with more value and choice across the range while tweaking equipment levels in some grades. 

The ASX range has been trimmed from 10 variants – with four versions of the ES – to a more understandable seven (including the manual GS).

Apart from the newbie GS, other 2023 ASX variants are the ES ($27,490 before on-road costs), MR ($29,240 + ORC), LS ($29,990 + ORC), GSR ( $32,240 + ORC) and Exceed ($34,740 +ORC).

Price changes differ according to the variant, with the ES dropping – spec for spec – by $1500 while the MR 2.0-litre, LS, GSR and Exceed all rise by $250.

Each receives additional equipment, some more than others and a freshened exterior with minor changes to body hardware, the grille and LED lighting front and rear, and chrome highlight strips/garnishes to some variants. There are also some new colours and new alloy wheel styles. 

The ES gains the most additional equipment and now features most of Mitsubishi’s ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) package as standard equipment, previously optional, while a 2.4-litre version of the MR is deleted.

The GS offers an entry point into the Mitsubishi brand, with 16-inch steel wheels and 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine but is far from being a stripped out, bare bones cheapie model.

It features colour-coded door handles, mirrors and rear garnish, a rear spoiler with integrated LED stop lamp LED headlamps, silver front grille and trims for those 16-inch steelies.

The interior has black fabric seat upholstery and an array of piano black and chrome trim highlights with a grey headlining. The back seat has a 60:40 split-fold function with two ISOFIX points and three tether anchors provided to fit a wide array of child restraints.

An 8.0-inch Smartphone Link central touchscreen display allows occupants to interact with the GS’s four-speaker audio system, which features wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with dual USB ports, DAB+ and Bluetooth audio capability with voice control to ensure constant connectivity.

From a safety perspective, the new ASX GS features: driver, front passenger, driver’s knee, side and curtain airbags, anti-lock braking system, brake override system, electronic brake distribution, emergency stop signal function, emergency brake assist system, forward collision mitigation system, hill-start assist and reversing camera.

Specification of most other 2023 ASX variants has been ‘elevated’ to include features previously not available with the popular ES gaining the most.

Depending on variant, the ASX is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol four cylinder engine with 110kW of power and 197Nm of torque or on higher spec variants, a 2.4-litre petrol four with 123kW and 222kW – all with front-wheel drive only.

Respective fuel consumption figures are 7.6 litres per 100km for 2.0-litre CVT-equipped cars and 7.7L/100km for the manual model using regular 91 RON petrol. The larger 2.4-litre engine is good for 7.9L/100km.

“ASX has always been a popular choice for those seeking a versatile and stylish small SUV,” said Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO, Shaun Westcott.

“With the new ASX GS offering a fresh entry into the Mitsubishi range, and several key specification updates for other variants, we feel ASX remains a strong choice in the competitive small SUV segment,” he said.

MMAL is tight lipped about the arrival of a new generation ASX suffice to say one has appeared in Europe based on a rebadged Renault Captur.