More choice in revised Mitsubishi ASX range

A BROADER range, improved safety, better connectivity and a more powerful 2.4-litre petrol engine in top variants are among the facelift highlights for Mitsubishi’s top-selling ASX small SUV that will roll into Australian showrooms between now and December.

However, consumers will pay for the improvements, with prices rises depending on the variant.

The ASX range goes from three specifications – ES, LS and Exceed – to five under the revised range that gains mid-range MR and GSR levels.

The sporty GSR and luxury Exceed both get the bigger 2.4-litre engine that bangs out 123kW of power and 222Nm of torque – 13kW more power and 25Nm more torque than the 2.0-litre unit that is carried over in other variants.

Importantly, all ASXs now get autonomous emergency braking (AEB), or forward collision mitigation in Mitsubishi-speak, as well as an electrochromatic rearview mirror for improved safety.

These features were previously only available on the base ES via an extra-cost safety pack. While AEB is now standard, the revised optional $2500 safety package adds lane departure warning, auto high beam, reversing sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

Exterior changes that were foreshadowed at the Geneva motor in March include a new-look face that brings the ASX into line with the ‘dynamic shield’ family design seen previously on sister models such as the Outlander and Eclipse Cross.

These changes include LED headlights, a bolder grille, a revised front bumper and a re-shaped bonnet.

Inside, the touchscreen goes up an inch – to eight inches – and includes smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth.

Apart from the bigger and more powerful engine, the flagship Exceed also gains a premium Rockford Fosgate audio system and Tom-Tom sat-nav.

But these improvements come at a cost, with the Exceed’s price rising to $35,740 driveaway. Comparatively, the pre-facelift flagship charged $30,990 plus on-road costs.

The base ES manual – the only manual in the range – is now priced at $24,990 driveaway, while the ES automatic with its continuously variable transmission (CVT) costs $1750 more.

The mid-range LS now breaks the $30k barrier at $30,240.

Pricing for the new GSR and MR variants will be announced closer to their December sales launch.

However, Mitsubishi has confirmed that the GSR’s CVT will get steering-wheel-mounted paddle-shifters for manual changes, along with a black cloth headlining, microsuede and leather-look seats with red stitching, and a rear spoiler.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia deputy director of marketing and operations Derek McIlroy said the ASX was one of the most important cars in the Mitsubishi range, outperforming a number of its peers.

“One of the reasons for this is that it has evolved with changes to interior and exterior styling, the addition of safety technologies and now the introduction of the 2.4 litre to the ASX range,” he said.

“We aim to ensure the ASX continues to meet the demands of our customers, allowing them to pack life in.”

The facelift is likely to be the last for the last for the current-model ASX that has been doing duty in Australia since 2010.

Despite its age, the ASX continues to dominate Australian small SUV sales, holding 17.5 per cent share of the segment with 16,171 units sold in the year to date – a rise of 9.8 per cent on the same period of last year.

Next best in the segment is Mazda’s CX-3 with 11,455 sales or 12.4 per cent share.