The new Mitsubishi ASX is the «twin brother» of the Renault Captur. Does it have arguments for “copying” the success of the Gallic model?
Mitsubishi ASX
First impression
Sale date: March 2023
As the «twin brother» of the Captur, it is also one of the most competitive B-SUVs in its class.
profs
- Availability of the 1.3 turbo engine
- Room
- Comfort/behaviour ratio
cons
- Image “glued” to that of the Renault Captur
- Overall feel of the controls (very light and soft)
Recognize the new Mitsubishi ASX on one side? No wonder, because the new B-SUV of the three-rider brand is not much more than a ‘clone’ of the Renault Captur.
This is another case of badge engineeringa “recipe” known in the automotive industry that allows a brand to quickly fill gaps in the range at a lower cost – examples have not been lacking in recent years, as you can see below.
This option from Mitsubishi made it possible to reverse the decision taken in 2020 to leave the European market and, in addition to the ASX, we also see a new Colt based on the Renault Clio arriving.
Aiming squarely at the midpoint of the B-SUV segment, the new Mitsubishi ASX will not have an easy task. Unlike the first generation, which sold 400,000 units in Europe, the new ASX now finds a much more densely populated segment.
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Discover the differences
There is no way back. despite the whim dynamic shield Typical of Mitsubishi models, the “Mitsubishi” inscription on the tailgate and the spread of the brand symbol, the ASX cannot hide its Gallic origins.
It is clear that this “recipe” has a cost in terms of the identity of the Japanese model, but there is no denying that it also has advantages.
In addition to speeding up the entire process of the new ASX coming to market, this exercise has in badge engineering allows Mitsubishi to have a B-SUV based on one of the most competitive proposals in the segment.
More connected, more spacious and… French
From the inside, as from the outside, the ASX can only be distinguished from the interior of the Renault Captur by the symbol on the steering wheel.
That said, all the positive qualities of the Captur’s interior that we’ve already highlighted several times – a proposition that, as we recall, won our B-SUV mega comparison – can now be pointed out to the ASX.
From the design to the ergonomics, the materials (nice to the touch and the sight) and the robust assembly, without forgetting the space (one of the best in the segment) and the versatility (it also inherits the sliding rear seat). .
The new ASX also has strong technological arguments. The multimedia system is accessible to the center via a 7″ or 9.3″ screen and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems. A superior solution to the system used by the larger Eclipse Cross, for example.
Behind the steering wheel we can have three types of instrument panel: an analog one with a 4.2-inch central screen; a digital panel with 7” and another with 10”. The readability is good in all cases and it looks modern and attractive on the two digital screens.
2 images
Motorcycles for (almost) every taste
In total, the new Mitsubishi ASX will have five engines, but only three will arrive in Portugal: a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine with 90 hp and 160 Nm; a 1.3 liter turbo mild hybrid with 160 hp and 270 Nm and a hybrid variant plug in with 160 hp and 144 Nm combined maximum power.
We were able to drive the variant mild hybrid with 160 hp and seven-speed automatic transmission. If this engine stands out in the city for its smooth operation, it made the most impression on public roads.
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learn from the best
The route mapped out by Mitsubishi took us through the mountain roads that surround Malaga, a “stage” in which the ingenuity of this engine and the “good marriage” with the seven-speed automatic transmission became apparent.
Without sporting pretensions, the Mitsubishi ASX does not refuse to impose higher rhythms on a winding circuit.
Under these conditions, it very skillfully combines an (almost) exciting dynamic behavior with a reference level of comfort in the segment, not based, so to speak, on the Renault Captur.
At this first contact it was not possible to measure the consumption of the new ASX. Taking into account that it is the same as the Captur in all respects, an average of around 6 l/100 km is expected.
Discover your next car:
Mitsubishi ASX
First impression
It is true that Mitsubishi only has the symbols, but the qualities that made the Captur one of the benchmarks in the segment are all there, giving the Japanese brand a very competitive proposition in the European market.
Sale date: March 2023
profs
- Availability of the 1.3 turbo engine
- Room
- Comfort/behaviour ratio
cons
- Image “glued” to that of the Renault Captur
- Overall feel of the controls (very light and soft)
