Mitsubishi ASX review
The Mitsubishi ASX is a practical, well-equipped, and affordable compact SUV that offers a spacious interior and the option of four-wheel-drive.
Author: Charlie Harvey
22nd Dec 2025 – 7 mins read
Mitsubishi has a long and respected history of building tough, capable 4x4s. The ASX, which first launched in 2010, was the brand's first real attempt at a more mainstream compact SUV to rival the likes of the Nissan Qashqai. It aimed to offer the practicality and rugged appeal Mitsubishi is known for, but with lower running costs and in a more city-friendly package. Over the years, the ASX has been updated several times, with the most recent version arriving in 2019 bringing a much bolder look and more modern technology. It has always represented great value for money, with lots of standard equipment and a roomy interior. However, it's a car that falls short in a few key areas, with a cheap-feeling cabin and a driving experience that’s a long way behind the best in class. It’s a reliable and practical workhorse, but it’s overshadowed by most of its more modern and talented rivals.
Pros
- A roomy and practical interior for its size
- Comes with plenty of standard equipment
- Four-wheel-drive is available for all-weather capability
Cons
- It's disappointing to drive, with a firm ride
- The petrol engines can be quite thirsty
- The interior feels cheap compared to rivals
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The interior of the ASX is a bit of a letdown and feels a long way behind the standard set by most rivals. While later models feature a welcome eight-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, the overall design feels dated, and the quality of the materials is disappointing. There are lots of hard, scratchy plastics that give the cabin a low-rent feel.
On the plus side, everything feels like it’s built to last. It might not be the most stylish or sophisticated environment, but it’s functional and feels sturdy. Think of it as a dependable workhorse rather than a luxurious family SUV.
Comfort
The ASX has a boxy shape which is good news for interior space. The seats are comfortable enough, and the high driving position gives you a good view of the road ahead. There’s a decent amount of space for everyone on board to get comfortable.
However, the ride isn't the most comfortable. It can feel a bit firm and unsettled over bumps, and there’s quite a lot of wind and road noise at motorway speeds. It’s not the most relaxing car to travel in, and rivals like the Nissan Qashqai or Skoda Karoq offer a much more refined experience.
Quality
Mitsubishi has a very good reputation for building reliable and durable cars, and the ASX should prove to be a dependable choice. The interior, while feeling cheap in places, is solidly put together and should be able to withstand the rigours of family life without any problems. The brand consistently performs well in reliability surveys, so you can buy an ASX with a good degree of confidence that it won't let you down.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
For a compact SUV, the ASX is surprisingly roomy inside. Its boxy shape means there's plenty of headroom for both front and rear passengers. Legroom in the back is also good, with enough space for adults to get comfortable on longer journeys. The cabin isn’t as wide as some rivals, so fitting three across the back seat could be a bit of a squeeze, but for a family of four, it’s a very practical space.
Boot space
The ASX has a decent-sized boot that’s well-suited to family life. It offers 442 litres of space, which is competitive for the class, if not class-leading. The boot has a wide opening and a flat floor, which makes it easy to load and unload bulky items like a pushchair or luggage for a family holiday. If you need more space, the rear seats fold down to open up a much larger 1,193-litre load bay.
Driving
Driving experience
Unfortunately, the driving experience is another area where the ASX falls short of its rivals. The ride is quite firm, and the car doesn’t handle corners with the composure or agility of more modern competitors. The steering feels vague, and it’s not a particularly engaging or enjoyable car to drive.
However, the availability of a four-wheel-drive system gives the ASX a level of all-weather and off-road capability that many of its rivals lack. If you need a small SUV that can confidently tackle a muddy track or a snowy lane, the ASX is a much more capable choice than most.
Performance
If you’re looking at the most recent, post-2019 version of the ASX, the only engine choice is a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 148bhp. It's a non-turbocharged engine, which means you have to work it quite hard to get the best from it, and it can feel a bit sluggish. It’s available with a manual gearbox and front-wheel-drive, or a CVT automatic with four-wheel-drive.
Older models were available with a wider range of engines, including a more economical 1.6-litre petrol and a choice of 1.6-litre or 2.2-litre diesel engines. The diesels are a much better choice for those who do a lot of motorway miles, offering better fuel economy and more pulling power.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
Running costs are a weak point for the ASX, particularly the latest 2.0-litre petrol model. It’s quite a thirsty engine, with an official fuel economy figure of just 37.7mpg, which means it could cost you a fair bit in fuel if you cover a lot of miles.
The diesel engines available on older models are much more economical. The 1.6-litre diesel, for example, could officially return over 61mpg, making it a much better choice for keeping running costs down.
Value for money
One of the ASX’s biggest selling points has always been its great value for money. From new, it was priced very competitively, undercutting many of its main rivals. It also comes with a generous amount of standard equipment, even on the entry-level models. On the used market, the ASX is a very affordable option, making it a great choice if you’re looking for a practical and reliable family SUV on a tight budget.
Reliability & Warranty
As mentioned, Mitsubishi has an excellent reputation for reliability, and the ASX is a car you can count on to be dependable. It feels like a solid and robust vehicle that’s built to last. From new, all Mitsubishis came with a five-year warranty, which is longer than the three-year warranties offered by most rivals and provides great peace of mind.
Safety
Safety features
The ASX is a safe car that will do a good job of protecting your family. It was awarded a good four-star safety rating when it was crash-tested by the experts at Euro NCAP. All models come with a good level of standard safety equipment, including multiple airbags and electronic stability control. Higher-spec models add more advanced features like blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The latest ASX models are available in two simple, well-equipped trim levels.
Dynamic: The entry-level model is generously equipped. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a reversing camera, keyless entry, heated front seats, and an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Exceed: This top-of-the-range model adds a panoramic glass roof, built-in satellite navigation, black leather seats, and an electric driver’s seat. It also gets extra safety features, including blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
Engines
The engine lineup has changed over the years, but the most recent models are simple.
2.0-litre Petrol: This 148bhp petrol engine is the only option on post-2019 cars. It’s available with a manual gearbox and front-wheel-drive, or a CVT automatic and four-wheel-drive.1.6-litre Petrol: Available on older models, this 115bhp petrol engine is a more economical choice for town driving.1.6/1.8/2.2-litre Diesel: A range of diesel engines were available on pre-2019 models. These are the best choice for high-mileage drivers due to their superior fuel economy and pulling power.
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