The Mitsubishi ASX Started Completely Over, Right Down to Its Nationality
Both reviews open with the same striking fact: after 15 years running largely unchanged, this nameplate has been reborn as a rebadged version of a French rival, and opinion is genuinely split on whether that's a shrewd move or a genuine identity crisis.
A Familiar Name, an Entirely Different Car Underneath
Very few model changeovers involve this much of a wholesale reinvention. Reviewers keep grappling with the same question: does badge-engineering a well-regarded rival count as a genuine new generation, or does it just borrow someone else's homework?
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Compact SUV |
|---|---|
| Basis | Rebadged Renault Captur (Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance platform sharing) |
| Engine | 1.3L turbo petrol |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive only |
| Warranty | 10 years |
Full Review Summary
CarExpert
CarExpert praised the interior as a genuine leap forward from the old ASX's notably dated cabin, highlighting Google Built-in navigation and a crisp 10.4-inch touchscreen against the previous generation's basic, non-digital instrument cluster. They found steering feel diminishes noticeably as speed increases, with adjustable weight settings doing little to add genuine confidence, and rated the boot as spacious at 484 litres, expanding to 1,596 litres with the rear seats folded, though noted rear seat space feels tighter than the outgoing car given the new model's smaller external footprint.
Independent reviewer commentary
Other reviewers were more openly critical of the rebadging approach, arguing the new ASX shares its chassis, interior and switchgear essentially unchanged with the Renault Captur it's based on, right down to the centre console layout. They noted the absence of a plug-in hybrid or fully electric option as a missed opportunity given Mitsubishi's own history with the Outlander PHEV, and questioned whether the pricing premium over the mechanically identical Captur is justified purely for the badge.
Strengths
- Dramatically improved cabin technology over the outgoing model
- Genuinely spacious boot with a useful expanding capacity
- Long 10-year warranty
- Decent ride and handling balance for a small SUV
Weak points
- Steering feel fades noticeably at higher speeds
- Essentially identical to the Renault Captur it's based on
- No plug-in hybrid or electric version, unlike some rivals
- Rear seat space tighter than the previous generation
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who want genuine Mitsubishi warranty backing and dealer support on what is mechanically a Renault Captur. Worth directly comparing pricing against the Captur itself before deciding whether the badge and warranty premium make sense for you.