A mid-life nip-and-tuck has given the Mitsubishi ASX new looks, a more finished cabin and tweaked suspension. It’s not a huge transformation, but the ASX remains a likeable crossover.
Stability is a strong point. The ASX felt secure when towing at 60mph and beyond, only wandering slightly in crosswinds. In the lane-change test the Mitsubishi also felt controlled, even when the Al-Ko ATC system showed the caravan moving around dramatically behind it.
It’s a shame that the handbrake wouldn’t reliably hold car and caravan still on a 1-in-6 slope, as otherwise the ASX pulled cleanly and confidently up the hill in 2WD. Had it rained we could have selected 4WD, but in the dry there was no need.
Our practicality team couldn’t find room for a typical load of holiday luggage in the boot, but were impressed with the handbook, towbar installation and the reversing camera.
The 1.8-litre diesel engine is powerful enough for towing, but its forte is fuel economy. Official figures promise 54.3mpg, which is very good for a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
However, there’s no getting away from the relatively high price of this top-spec version. You can buy much larger, roomier cars for a little more money.