- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Andrey Tishin
- Ru He Fr
Mitsubishi ASX crossover. 1st generation, restyled in 2019
Mitsubishi ASX is a compact-class crossover produced by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, it was unveiled in 2010 restyled in 2013, 2017, and 2019. ‘ASX’ stands for Active Sport X-over. It is a 5-seater with FWD or 4WD and gasoline engines. In 2021, the model was successfully offered all over the world, and in Israel, 3 ASX versions were offered, all with a 2-L engine, continuously variable transmission, and 4WD.
The new face of the champion
In the internal rating of the brand, this compact car is at the head of the table: in Israel, Mitsubishi ASX was the second in sales in 2020, concede the market race to Outlander. In Australia, it is number one, and in Russia, it’s the third. Why? Mostly because the restyled version 2019 model year looks absolutely new: restyled ASX differs from the predecessor completely different design of the front end and completely different optics. The style of the new “face” is called Dynamic Shield, and it is the new design of the Japanese brand as a whole. The changes to the rear are minimal: a different bumper and taillights with a different pattern and LEDs in all sections, except for the turn lights. Only roof panels, doors, rear fenders, besides, sills and glasses remained the same as those of the former ASX, but these details are not striking at all, and they do not affect the general impression a lot. The list of options includes new 18-inch wheel disks of the effective design. The new generation crossover ASX has a remarkable option - a panoramic sunroof. It testers call “one of the most impressive”.
Interior
The interior has been successfully improved. One of the major changes in the interior of the 2019 ASX is a new multimedia system with a larger display of 8 inches (the previous one was 7 inches). Improvements in trim, center tunnel layout, and other options are noticeable. This car is still roomy, and its field of vision does not cause criticism to either the driver or passengers. After the update, the bodywork has increased slightly in length to 4365 mm (from 4295 due to the bumper). But ASX has a usual wheelbase of 2670 mm. This is quite enough to have enough leg room both in front and behind. The minimum trunk volume is 406 L. The rear seat folds down in parts in the proportion 60:40.
Engines and chassis
The set of available engines hasn’t changed. These are the time-proven 1.6-L and 2.0-L gasoline engines with an output power of 117 and 150 hp, respectively. In Israel (as of 2021), only the 2-L version is offered. This engine came up big - both in terms of lifetime and power. Average fuel consumption is claimed in the range of 7.8 L. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 11.7 seconds. As before, the 2-L engine operates with the 4WD system and continuously variable CVT. This CVT can simulate a 6-speed gearbox with sequential shifting using paddle paddles. As before, in addition to the 2WD mode, you can use 4WD auto and 4WD lock for difficult driving conditions. The chassis of the crossover stays the same: the same independent suspension (McPherson at the front axle and multilink at the rear one), disc brakes on all wheels, electrically boosted rack-and-gear steering. Good road clearance of 195 mm is one of the “trump cards” of the crossover.
Safety
The set of safety systems of the Mitsubishi ASX 2019/2020 depends on a trim version. The maximum trim involves, among other things, light and rain sensors, roof rails, tinted windows for rear passengers and a hill start assist. New options are special safety systems, based on advanced technologies: automatic braking, lane-keeping aid, high beam headlight control. This allowed winning 6 points out of 8 in the Israeli safety rating. 7 airbags also do their job.
Equipment
One of the major changes in the interior is the new multimedia with a larger display. Its embedding required a slight modification of the central console (it is a little taller, the air ducts are shifted upwards). The front panel itself, as well as the meters and steering wheel, have been the same as before, but some design improvements are noticeable. The restyled ASX also developed a mobile app. It can be used to send readings of the odometer, speedometer, various warnings, and other on-board information to a smartphone. New 18-inch wheels are on the list of options, and a new Red Diamond color has been introduced to the bodywork palette
Let’s go back to the multimedia system and discuss it in more detail. The new display diagonal is 8 inches (the former one was 7-inch), and according to those who had a chance to use the system, it looks better, the icons on the touchscreen are large and high-resolution, the categories and parameters are clear and simple. Multimedia is easier to use than its predecessor, it includes an “I SAY” interface, a voice recognition interface with various voice commands, important applications like the navigation system Wise, Pango, and Slopark. The Bluetooth connection is easy and convenient both for listening to music and for talking on the headset, and for a large media library to listen to various Israeli albums and podcasts (Internet radio programs).
Drivers provide very good feedback about the system to get in the car and start the engine without a key, comfortable and simple climate control. The more ambitious drivers like the pseudo gearshifters on the steering wheel. Given the good sales figures (6 thousand cars in the last two years), perhaps it is really not necessary to radically change the car. It is good and therefore in demand, and the introduced driver assistants make the car modern and attractive.
