Summary
The Mitsubishi ASX is a small SUV that was the smallest model in the Mitsubishi SUV line-up. It was on sale from 2010 until 2021 when Mitsubishi withdrew from the UK market, with at least four facelifts over the decade to try and keep it competitive with newer rivals.
The most recent update to the ASX came in the second half of 2019, which provided a significantly altered look to the front end of the vehicle. The interior has also had incremental updates with every facelift. The ASX was given a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP when it was launched, but this expired a couple of years ago and is no longer valid.
The ASX was praised for its off-road ability compared to most small crossover models, and the infotainment system on the latest models was at least competitive. However, the driving dynamics and engine performance were both rated poorly, and overall the ASX was one of the lowest-ranked new cars in terms of media reviews while it was on sale.
No longer on sale, the Mitsubishi ASX holds a Used Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of 51%. It gets good grades for its low running costs and its reliability record is average, but its safety rating has long expired and its media review scores were dire.
ASX highlights
- Good infotainment system
- Durable build quality
- Alluring low-cost price
- Well-equipped with practical features
- Talented off-roader
ASX lowlights
- Easily surpassed by newer rivals
- Dated interior design
- Dull driving experience
- Poor steering dynamics
- Clunky gearbox and noisy engine
Key specifications
Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £21,035 on-road
Launched: Summer 2010
Last updated: Summer 2019
Discontinued: Autumn 2021
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
The latest updates do not add much but the Mitsubishi ASX is still a good value SUV, particularly if you are looking for all-wheel-drive.
Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic AWD Dynamic
Score: 4 / 10
“Despite an extensive facelift, a new engine and extra kit, the Mitsubishi ASX is feeling its age. If you’re after a small crossover with good road manners, lots of kit and space for the family, there’s better value to be had elsewhere.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“The Mitsubishi ASX is a decent-looking and well-equipped crossover that struggles to match newer rivals on the road”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Mitsubishi ASX’s updates certainly bring it up to modern standards when it comes to looks, and it’s well-equipped with features for a very reasonable price. But the modern trappings can’t hide an ageing car that really struggles to match numerous very capable rivals in terms of its driving experience.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic
Score: 4 / 10
“Build and material quality is typical of Japanese manufacturers – not necessarily the plushest, but it does feel pretty bombproof inside and it’s easy to imagine that ten years on, everything will still be working as well as it did on day one.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 5.4 / 10
“The Mitsubishi ASX is a tough and practical small SUV but a recent facelift can’t fully disguise its advancing years.”
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“The Mitsubishi ASX has a decent infotainment system and comes with a long list of standard kit, but it feels too dated in important areas to recommend ahead of newer alternatives.”
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The updated model adopts the chunkier design language of the rest of the Mitsubishi range, while the interior has been revised with a new eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system. DAB, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4.8 / 10
“Compact SUV lags behind main rivals, despite extensive facelift”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automatic 5
Score: 4 / 10
“A reliable and practical car from a well-regarded Japanese manufacturer, but a rattly passenger experience makes this model feel a little long in the tooth. Hard to recommend over more refined – and popular – mainstream rivals.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“It’s not that the Mitsubishi ASX is truly bad by any stretch of the imagination, it’s just that its competition is newer. And better.”
Read review
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: February 2011
Date expired: January 2018
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 86%
Child protection: 78%
Vulnerable road users: 60%
Safety assist: 71%
Notes on safety rating
The Mitsubishi ASX was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP way back in 2011 and awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2018 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used ASX to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Mitsubishi ASX was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 27
Average repair cost: £491.12
Last updated: January 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Mitsubishi ASX has an average reliability score, according to warranty data provided by our partner MotorEasy.
The most commonly reported problems for ASX owners to date are related to the engine – and unfortunately these are also some of the most expensive faults with an average repair bill of more than £850. Gearbox repairs have been similarly expensive, although have not been as common to date.
If you’re looking at a used Mitsubishi ASX, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of the potential problem areas shown above.
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More information
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