Mitsubishi’s Ridiculous Value ASX ES is the Perfect Car for the Times
Mitsubishi’s chameleon ASX, which has just benefited a range reshuffle on its good looking third makeover. This bargain new ES model now slots in below the two existing models, which are also rebadged as LS variants. The most successful Mitsubishi model over the past decade, the ASX has opened the Mitsubishi brand to younger buyers. Noe this ES model takes that trend to a new level.
ES VALUE. LET’S CHECK IT OUT!
Available in either this manual, or with a continuously variable transmission, this particular ES model offers eye watering value for money. Yet it’s still a dependable and well-proven crossover SUV. Mitsubishi promises it offers the best possible combination of attractive design, advanced technology, spaciousness, fuel economy and competitive pricing. Let’s check it out!
Fully in line with latest Mitsubishi design cues since the previous ASX upgrade, ES carries those angular new LED DRL headlights. New full LED taillights join a redesigned rear bumper and a spoiler with a high-mounted stop lamp. It rides on smart and chunky 15” alloys. Cabin access is via a neat new keyless operating system. Via a unique smart key that works within a 70 cm radius from the vehicle for easy locking and unlocking.
Add tilt and telescopic adjustable electric power steering, power folding wing mirrors, power windows all round. Cruise control and manual air-conditioning too. ES gets plush fabric upholstery for its comfy seats. The radio/CD player has USB and Bluetooth connectivity. Ours had the optional CarPlay and Auto touchscreen infotainment with hands-free voice control. ASX ES also gets rear park distance control, although we’d take a reverse camera option before the infotainment…
A PRACTICAL, COMFY CABIN
A 60:40 split slide and tilt rear bench seat increases boot area from a healthy 406 litres to a hungry 1,206 litres. ASX also has a handy 1,260 kg braked towing capacity. Which proves a significant advantage over pretty much everything else in the class. And it packs in ABS brakes with EBD and BAS and IsoFix kiddie seat mounts, stability and hill start assistants and the rest. And a 7-bag system ‘for increased safety for every seat’.
There’s with gutsy performance to match. Push button starting awakens ASX’s healthy 110kW 197Nm 7.9l/100km 184 g/km 2-litre MIVEC. Driving the front axle, the 5-speed manual has a great action and actually feels quited sophisticated, even if it has a little too much play in the stick. Strapping our VBox to it showed decent performance, but to be honest, it feels faster. Which is good — there’s nothing quite like the feel and positivity a free-revving petrol engine. Economy is good enough at 7.5 litres per hundred
Solid and comfortable on the road, ES handles well, if a little darty on the steering, cruises comfortably and is quite car-like and economical. ASX delivers a reasonable level of off-road ability even in its 4×2 get-up and if anything exceeded expectation on and off the road.
ASX ES BRINGS CLASS-SMASHING VALUE
The really appealing part of the Mitsubishi ASX is however its class-smashing value-for-money. What do you think a stylish little SUV like these should set you back? I bet you’d say well beyond half a million? But this flagship Mitsubishi ASX comes in at well under four hundred grand. We’d say that’s a price to blow your socks off and an advantage that seems impossible to ignore.
Best of all, this car seems to have beaten inflation versus some rivals that seem to become more expensive by the breath. Nimble, stylish, practical and easy to drive, it is good as anything else out there and then some ,but then the realigned Mitsubishi ASX ES is also priced well enough to sell a bomb. Especially at a time where value for money is perhaps more important than it has been in any buyer in this neck of the woods’ lifetime… – Michele Lupini
Images: Michele Lupini, testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Mitsubishi ASX ES Engine: 110 kW 197 Nm 2-litre petrol I4 Drive: 5-speed manual FWD TESTED: 0-60 km/h: 4.52 sec 0-100 km/h: 9.78 sec 0-120 km/h: 13.67 sec 0-160 km/h: 28.97 sec 400 m: 16.7 sec @ 137km/h 80-120 km/h: 6.42 sec 120-160 km/h: 14.15 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 190 km/h Fuel: 7.5 l/100km CO2: 175 g/km Warranty/Service: 3y 100K/3y 60K km LIST PRICE: R369K RATED: 8
