Mitsubishi has given his European perspective on the ASX SUV an overhaul.
The new small SUV follows in the footsteps of the updated Renault Captur on which it is based, but has a new look on the outside that better sets it apart from the competition.
The grille in particular is unique to the ASX, with an angular motif that works well with the Mitsubishi badge and lots of gloss black.
Inside, the European ASX features a 10.4-inch touchscreen carried over from the Captur, but replaces its 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a 7.0-inch unit, at least according to the Dutch consumer site.
Globally, the updated Captur is available with six powertrains and three fuel types. These include two turbo-petrol engines, two 12V mild-hybrid turbo-petrol engines, a dual-fuel petrol-LPG engine and a series-parallel hybrid powertrain, referred to as an “E-Tech full hybrid”. It is not clear whether everything is offered on the Mitsubishi.
We reached out to Mitsubishi Australia to see if the European model offered a chance of replacing the current ASX locally.
Mitsubishi was expected to make a decision on what will replace the ASX before the end of 2023, but has not yet made any announcements on Australia.
A version of the Asia-focused
The current ASX, which accounted for almost 15 percent of Mitsubishi sales in Australia in 2023, has been sold locally since 2010. It has been updated several times in design and technology, but is now around five years older than most vehicles and has been replaced by a completely new car.
Should it be discontinued, the Eclipse Cross (or its successor, available in some parts of the world) would have to serve as the entry point into the Mitsubishi SUV lineup locally.
If it fails to bring a version of the Xforce to Australia, Mitsubishi could be forced to sell the rebadged Renault Captur as the ASX. The Captur is currently sold in Australia, meeting Australian emissions and safety standards and is right-hand drive.
However, Mitusbishi faces two challenges with this approach.
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Current Australian ASX -
Updated Renault Captur -
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The first is to persuade its alliance partner Renault to build the renamed right-hand drive Captur in sufficient numbers for Australia; The second is to sell it.
The Captur is a fundamentally different vehicle to the current ASX and is priced differently. With the SUV Outlander, which is larger and more expensive than the car it replaces, Mitsubishi is moving into the upper class and has achieved something similar with the new Triton.
Mitsubishi has also previously been brought into disrepute in Australia with rebranded Renault products.
The Express van was a rebadged Renault Trafic introduced in Australia by Mitsubishi in 2020 and discontinued in mid-2022. Shortly after launch, it received a zero-star ANCAP safety rating due to the lack of safety assistance features now common in Australia than its rivals.
MORE: Everything Mitsubishi ASX