Fresh-faced Mitsubishi ASX checks in

THE facelifted version of Mitsubishi’s popular ASX crossover has finally arrived in Australian showrooms almost a year to the day after it was revealed at the 2015 Los Angeles motor show.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited had delayed the launch of the refreshed small SUV, with a company spokesperson confirming last year that the pre-facelifted version was selling so well that there was no rush to introduce the new model.

Going on sale around the country today, the updated ASX introduces a number of changes to the cabin and functionality, but also ushers in new front-end styling with the latest iteration of Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield design language.

The tweaked face includes a new bumper and grille and gloss black and chrome finishes, bringing the ASX look into line with its larger SUV stablemates, the Outlander and Pajero Sport.

Pricing for the range has increased by just $10 apiece for the petrol two-wheel drive LS manual and auto – now $25,000 and $27,000 plus on-road costs respectively – while the flagship XLS diesel four-wheel drive auto has risen by $510 to $37,000.

The LS 4WD diesel has been ditched from the line-up.

Changes inside the ASX include additional bolstering in the rear seats for improved comfort, a new fabric seat trim with red stitching for LS variants and relocated electric heated seat switches to the instrument panel on the XLS.

The usability of the MMCS audio system menu has been improved, foglights have replaced the daytime running lights, all ASXs gain a shark fin antenna and the LS gets a new keyfob as part of the update.

The pair of engines on offer – a 2.0-litre 110kW/197Nm naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 2.2-litre 110kW/360Nm turbo-diesel – are now Euro 5 emissions compliant. There is no change to fuel economy or performance figures.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia executive director of marketing Tony Principe said the changes to the ASX should ensure it remains one of the top picks in its segment.

“ASX is our number one-selling SUV, and for good reason – it hits all the right markers for small SUV buyers with an abundance of style, features and great packaging,” he said.

“The new, Dynamic Shield 2017 ASX will make a bold statement with plenty of youthful appeal and new features to help it remain one of Australia’s most popular small SUVs.”

The ASX launched in mid-2010 and has consistently been one of the top sellers in the burgeoning small-SUV segment, despite a raft of new models entering the market.

So far this year, Mitsubishi has sold 15,112 examples of the ASX, a 45.8 per cent increase over the same period last year.

It is running a close second in the segment behind the Mazda CX-3 (15,493) but leads the Nissan Qashqai (10,700) and Honda HR-V (10,286).

A new-generation is not far off, with a preview of the next ASX in the XR-PHEV concept at last year’s Geneva motor show.

2017 Mitsubishi ASX pricing*

LS petrol 2WD	$25,000
LS petrol 2WD (a)	$27,000
XLS petrol 2WD (a)	$31,500
LS diesel 4WD (a)	$32,500
XLS diesel 4WD (a)	$37,000

*Excludes on-road costs