The small ASX crossover was one of Mitsubishi’s most successful models. It won many fans with a combination of modest dimensions and off-road appearance, and it was almost without competition from the beginning. It remained in the offer until 2021, thus sneaking a commendably simple technique into the present. Which, of course, only applies to petrol versions. The diesel didn’t do very well and without it you don’t even get all-wheel drive.
Around 2010, the range of SUVs began to thicken. It was getting closer to today’s form, when a would-be off-road variant exists for almost every model of every brand.
However, the approach of the designers was different. While Opel built the first generation Mokka on the modest foundations of the Corsa and the Renault Captur is derived from the Clio, Mitsubishi, on the other hand, shrunk the large Outlander model. So the ASX came with a generous chassis with independent suspension. Even the track width of the wheels matched, which was solved by the boyishly extended fenders.
However, the cabin was crushed in width and length. The interior space is therefore more generous than that of a small hatchback, but it is still far from a large SUV. It suits four more than five, which is also confirmed by the trunk volume of 420 liters. However, the atypical construction resulted in atypical dimensions, so there is more space in the ASX compared to the Captur or the Peugeot 2008.
From the point of view of Czech families, it was clear: those who wanted more space than in the Fabia, but didn’t have it in the Octavia, went for the Mitsubishi. And that in the first years the sellers had a real harvest. Purposeful customers, however, spent wisely. Air conditioning was standard, but in bazaars you can often find cars with a plastic steering wheel, without cruise control or parking sensors.
And also without all-wheel drive, which would match the off-road cuckoo of the car. But back to earth. The Captur or 2008 does not offer a four-wheel drive at all, just like today’s Škoda Kamiq and Seat Arona. Mitsubishi ASX could have all-wheel drive, but almost exclusively with diesel.
And it was Mitsubishi that did the least of all. The first years struggled with particulate filter regenerations, oil dilution, and some even seized up. This improved after the 2012 and 2013 modifications, but remained complex and expensive to maintain and absolutely extreme parts prices. That’s what happens to all engines that are produced in small quantities.
As in many other cases, the Japanese prefer gasoline. However, for almost the entire career, the ASX was offered only with an atmospheric 16 MPI, which does not have large reserves for driving with a full load and is noisy on the highway.
The two-liter replaced it only in the fall of 2019. Two years later, the ASX ended, so you won’t find many of these cars in bazaars. Such a shame. A white specimen borrowed from AAA Auto confirmed that this is an ideal engine. However, it also only had 60,000 kilometers on it and cost 450,000 crowns.
Still, we wouldn’t talk him down to anyone. For today, it is a rare stress-free and driver-friendly car devoid of many modern frills.
Anyone looking for a car for three hundred thousand has to compromise on comfort. But it is becoming more and more difficult to find another relatively reliable engine in a similarly simple car. As a car for shorter distances – and once a year to Croatia – the ASX does not have many faults.
Used Mitsubishi ASX
On the market: from 2010 until now
Used prices: 200,000 to 500,000 CZK
External dimensions: 4300 x 1770 x 1615 mm
Wheelbase: 2670 mm
Kufr: 419 l
Petrol engines: 1.6 Mivec (85 kW), 2.0 Mivec (110 kW)
Diesel engines: 1.8 DI-D (85 to 110 hp), 2.2 DI-D Out (110 hp)
The first is floor corrosion in the pockets in front of the rear wheel arches. There is no other prevention than buying a car as new as possible and immediately starting with protective coatings.
The second risk lurks in LPG petrol engines. Brand repair services carried out conversions with somewhat uneven quality, and most users later found an independent “gasifier”.
However, some pieces turned out badly, others are designed for trouble and you can’t tell which ones they are in the bazaar. In addition, the service life of a rebuilt engine beyond the limit of 150 thousand kilometers is very little studied. As always, it is better to buy a petrol car for long-distance runs and have full control over the conversion.
