Buyers Love It, So Why Don't Car Reviewers? (Mitsubishi ASX GSR 2022 review)

The Mitsubishi ASX is one of the oldest SUVs still on sale without a new generation, so why is it so popular in Australia?

Timecodes:
Intro: 0:00
Front seat: 0:47
Back seat: 2:48
Boot space: 3:48
Running costs: 4:55
Driving impressions: 6:09
Verdict: 10:43

The Mitsubishi ASX is sold in Australia with a 2.0-litre engine or a 2.4-litre engine as seen in this ASX GSR model. Both are naturally aspirated and use a CVT, though there is a manual base model available. All are front-wheel drive as the old diesel AWD powertrain has been discontinued.
The ASX competes with the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Volkswagen T-Roc and many other small SUVs.
As always, we don’t accept advertising from car manufacturers, and we’re powered by Budget Direct - so this is an independent, honest review of the Mitsubishi ASX.

Chasing Cars is Australia's most independent source of new car reviews, car industry news, comparisons and car guides. We give you a critical look at every new car you should consider!

[jakeeus]

Why people love it
1. Affordable from a Japanese brand
2. Has everything you need without going over the top and increasing cost
3. Reliable and simple build
4. Not cutting edge but feels modern and stylish enough for many
5. No direct competitors (Price + Trust)

Car companies for some reason think all car models need to try and be premium and pack in a heap of features a large % of people don't really want or need the extra expense of. The way car prices are going, some more simplified models would definately be welcomed by many who want a newer car without the price tag of all the tech they probably wont use anyway

[wolfdima]

I drive ASX for 11 years straight. Very reliable and agile car.

[warcrabcyber]

Car Reviewers only review cars based on driving it for 5 days and dont have to live with the consequences after. People want to know when they make an investment on a vehicle it lasts long enough to finish pay off for it and the vehicle still works good after that to see a return on investment.

The asx is in many markets, so engine parts, suspension parts after 10 years will be easy to find.

[MrWilliam.Stewart]

Quality Japanese brand.
Cheap servicing cost.
10 year warranty for peace of mind.
Older, but proven reliable design.

It's not hard to see why they are so popular.

No point owning a car that has the best ride quality or the highest power if it is known to have reliability issues, and or expensive service requirements.

A lot to be said for simple reliable Japanese cars.

[TimPricehero]

It’s the reliability, stupid. People actually like buying a car that never has a problem and does what it is intended for. I couldn’t care less about what the buttons on the inside look like. Had a Lancer that lasted 17 years without one issue and the ASX is just as good.

[Navigator-apex]

Great value for money from a well established car manufacturer, that is why.
As long as it is practical and functional then it is ok, any bells and whistles are unnecessary, just adds to complexity and reliability.
Cheers

[susansullivan]

Ive got a 2020 mitsubishi asx exceed 2 litre here in the UK 🇬🇧 love it ...ok the ride is a bit agricultural at times but my attitude is if it aint broke dont fix it....reliable..good on fuel and the back up here is still good ...

[Erin-Thor]

My experience with a Mitsubishi Montero/Pajero LTD (the full size, not sport) used here in the states was exceptional. It lasted 274, 000 miles (441 Km) before any major issues. Incredibly bullet proof, easy to work on, amazing off pavement performance. If they still made them I’d buy another one today.

[jaxandmore]

It has the reliability track record of a Toyota with the warranty of a Hyundai. Excellent peace of mind. My parents both drive Outlander Sports here in the USA. A 2015 with the 2.4 and a 2019 with the 2.0. I've driven them both. The 2.0 feels plenty adequate around town. I haven't driven it on highways. The only aspect I truly dislike about this vehicle is the steering feel. It feels numb and devoid of road feel. However, it handles very well. It takes curves confidently. Ride quality can feel choppy at times but it's completely not a deal breaker. I've certainly driven choppier riding vehicles over the years.

[c.s]

Aussies would rather buy a known Japanese inexpensive car (Mitsubishi) than experiment with say a Chinese version. Everything being generally equal that is.

[ryant]

I get why they are popular. That 10-year-warranty has a lot to do with it but there is also the fact that if you want a new SUV with the same level of tech the only brands that are on-par price-wise are MG and Haval and a lot of people get nervous about those Chinese brands.

[akaza]

simple answer: reliability, yes it doesn't have the most gadgets, features, and tech on the cars, I know the interior is outdated, but some people just don't really care on those things, they want cars that run and works and wont have problems every 3 months or so.

[jamesmaccari]

Here in the USA I drive mostly back roads of hilly terrain and these are awesome at that and being normally aspirated port injected vehicles that take regular gas makes them ultra reliable... Easy to toss around and a great turning radius too.
Easy to service and more reliable than my other cars... A winner.

[EnShinNoi]

For anybody wanting a new, very affordable, seemingly large, 18" wheeled SUV for city driving from a trusted brand, what other choice is there? That's why it sells.

[stevenalexander]

Trusted & reputable marque ☑️

Handsome & contemporary exterior ☑️

industry leading warranty ☑️

Affordable ownership ☑️

Functional & pragmatic ☑️

Compact, spacious & agile ☑️

Bullet proof reliability ☑️

Family friendly ☑️

GSR appeals to all age groups ☑️

Grunty 2.4ltr engine with functional paddle shifts from fire breathing Lancer Evolution ☑️

Obviously suits most consumers needs hence the consistent popularity☑️

Etc
Etc
Etc

☑️☑️☑️☑️☑️☑️☑️

[whimsy-chan]

All the alternatives mentioned feel smaller on the inside. I tried them before buying my ASX. The price to features ratio works and I'd rather have something reliable than fancy and I can't tell what reviewers mean by dynamics despite having many a rental car foe work. Also I absolutley hated lane centering.

[kennethbrown]

I have a MR and it has Adaptive Cruise Control. It does not have a Turbo so you won’t have to pay for that to be fixed or serviced and the CVT won’t wear like a Dual Clutch DCT will. So less stuff to fix or worry about!

[DavidAshton]

We purchased the Exceed in this colour. Value for money and reliability / warranty was major considerations. I think Aussies take these features over most things. Yes it wasn't designed for a race track but it is good enough for Australia. Unlike others, we have had many Mitsubishis over the years and all reliable - probably because we looked after them. As far as comparing others, I don't know if the reviewer has sat in a CHR for example. I did and I just banged my head to get in and out of the rear seat. I think if Mitsubishi kept selling this car for another 10 years it would sell, all the tech inside isn't that important unless you are a terrible driver. I noticed the CHR top of the line petrol model is about $5, 500 dearer than the top of the line Exceed which is an extra $21 per week over 5 years (people keep their cars on average for 5 years). The fuel savings will not even cover the extra price and as a bonus you don't get to bang your head...To summarise I looked at all the SUV's out there and the Exceed and ASX was the best value for money car around. Other Aussies agree obviously. Made in Japan is a clue too. I wanted to add one point. The 2 litre motor is more than OK as it is the same as the Lancer we owned for 8 years and it had enough power. I criticised some family recently for knocking a ASX rental car for lack of power. I informed them they add the pathetic ethanol petrol (and yes the family used that as well in the top ups) so I told them that petrol costs you more than you save. Only use the premium fuels and I'm certain you'll get better economy and power. I proved how useless this petrol was years ago when I tried it in my Valiant Charger. The car took ages to start which means the fuel doesn't fire as well plus I also tried it in a Mitsubishi 380 I owned a few years ago. I couldn't believe the power drop, hence I will never use that type of petrol ever again. There is my tip of the day for drivers, don't use ethanol as you'll getter better economy and more power. I suspect the savings in not having your fuel injectors clog up will be just one of the bonuses.

[dbolton]

Mitsubishi top selling car in New Zealand in 2022outselling Toyota. Buyers like what they are doing with great reliability and the styling.
What they don't like is is being fostered off with new technology that does not live up to theory ie VW and Ford transmissions that fail and in some cases refuse to repair under warranty and not forgetting dieselgate.
No wonder Mitsubishi prospered.

[gatewayz]

I shopped around and the ASX LS seemed to be great value. I ordered one in April and it was meant to arrive in late November but it’s now arriving at the end of September so it had a shorter wait time than the RAV 4 which was out of my budget. I know it doesn’t have some of the latest features but considering my last car was quite old I’m not used to a power tailgate or a wireless recharger so it’s not going to be a downgrade for me, the whole car is a huge upgrade. I wanted to mention there was a $7k price difference between 2 different Mitsubishi dealerships in the same city for the identical model and colour.