Mitsubishi ASX: Early details uncovered for new European SUV

A new Mitsubishi ASX is finally coming this year, but it’s set to offer a smaller lineup than the outgoing model.

Government approval documents show the new-generation ASX, a restyled Renault Captur, will be offered in LS, Aspire and Exceed trim levels, unlike the outgoing model which is offered in GS, ES, MR, GSR and Exceed variants.

What the documents don’t show, however, is which of the powertrains offered in Europe will make their way here. These are:

• A turbo 1.0-litre three-cylinder with 67kW, mated with a six-speed manual
• A turbo 1.3-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid with 103kW, mated with a six-speed manual
• A turbo 1.3-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid with 116kW, mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto
• A 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid with a total system output of 105kW and a ‘multi-mode’ automatic

The ASX has also been offered in Europe as a plug-in hybrid.

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Of these, the turbo 1.3-litre/auto combination appears most likely. The related Captur has been offered in Australia exclusively with this combination.

Mitsubishi confirmed in January it would finally replace its aged Japanese-sourced ASX with the Spanish-built ASX sold in Europe.

An incoming Australian Design Rule (ADR) – 98/00, mandating specific technical requirements for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems – forced Mitsubishi to axe the current model, though the company was able to shore up supply of it and other affected vehicles into 2025.

Mitsubishi has thus far confirmed the new ASX will launch during this year, but hasn’t said when exactly.

It also hasn’t confirmed how much the new ASX will cost.

Given the omission of GS and ES trim levels in these approval documents, however, the new ASX – already expected to carry a higher base price than its predecessor thanks to a five per cent European import duty – could be a costlier proposition.

The current ASX is priced from $24,490 to $35,240 before on-road costs, while the Renault Captur was priced from $33,000 to $39,500 before on-roads last year. Pricing has yet to be announced for the updated model due this year.

It’s worth noting the Captur is classified in Australia as a ‘light SUV’, unlike the outgoing ASX which is a ‘small SUV’.

It’s not clear at this stage if there will be a sub-$30,000 version of the new ASX, to battle the likes of light SUVs such as the Hyundai Venue (priced from $22,750 before on-roads), Kia Stonic (from $25,660 before on-roads), and Nissan Juke (from $28,890 before on-roads).

Even some small SUVs start at or around $30,000, including the Kia Seltos (from $30,050 before on-roads) and GWM Haval Jolion (from $26,990 drive-away).

In Europe, even the most affordable ASX comes standard with a 10.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a six-speaker sound system, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster screen, LED headlights, autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assist.

Higher up in the range you’ll find features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view camera, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat, a sunroof, and a heated steering wheel and front seats.

In addition to pricing and specifications, we also don’t know how much supply Mitsubishi will be able to secure of the European ASX.

The current ASX has historically been one of Australia’s top-selling small SUVs. It was number one in its segment as recently as 2020, while last year it was fifth.

With 12,330 sales, the ASX was outsold only by the Mazda CX-30 (12,672), GWM Haval Jolion (14,238), Hyundai Kona (17,374) and MG ZS (22,629).

The confirmation of the European ASX ends several years of speculation as to what would replace the dated SUV, known elsewhere as the RVR and Outlander Sport.

Mitsubishi introduced a new small SUV for Southeast Asia called the Xforce, but it isn’t compliant with Australian regulations.

The use of a vehicle from Renault invites questions as to how long Mitsubishi’s new ASX will last, given the Alliance the two brands are part of with Nissan appears to be on its last gasps.

Mitsubishi has previously said the Xforce could be offered outside of Southeast Asia.

Company CEO Takao Kato in October 2022 said he “[hoped] to grow the model from a vehicle for the ASEAN market to a global strategic vehicle” while also confirming an electrified version will be offered.

That could leave the European ASX as a stopgap in Australia.

When the European ASX was first revealed in 2022, it couldn’t have been more obvious this was a rebadge.

Even the grille still had the shape of the Renault diamond logo on it, while down back the diamond was replaced with an ugly protruding reversing camera.

A facelift in 2024 gave it a more cohesive look, though changes from the Renault remain minimal.

The ASX and the revived Colt, a rebadged Renault Clio, were revealed in 2022. Mitsubishi had announced in 2020 it was exiting Europe, a decision it walked back the following year.

In the end, it only ended up quitting the UK market.

Mitsubishi has offered a rebadged Renault in Australia before with the Express van, which was a Trafic with three diamonds on the grille instead of one big one.

Launched in 2020, Mitsubishi axed it in 2022 citing global business and supply chain issues, though a controversial zero-star ANCAP safety rating didn’t help its reputation.

The Captur-based ASX marks a reversal of roles for Mitsubishi ASX, which was sold for five years by Renault’s French rivals Citroen and Peugeot as the C4 Aircross and 4008, respectively.

These two models were stopgaps as Citroen and Peugeot parent Groupe PSA grappled with financial problems and worked to flesh out its then-limited crossover lineup.

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