There is a choice of 3 engines, a 1.6-litre petrol, or two diesels, a 2.2-litre turbo and a 1.8. A 5-speed manual gearbox is fitted to the petrol derivative, and the diesels have a 6-speed manual gearboxes, my 2.2 was equipped with an automatic gear box with the 4wd system.
The level of equipment on the whole of the range is quite extensive for example standard equipment includes alloy wheels, air conditioning auto / stop and go, active stability control, traction control, a keyless entry system, ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution and assist, a plethora of air bags including front, side and curtains, and I like the fact that the steering wheel for the driver has a tilt and a telescopic method of getting you comfortable in the multiadjustable front seats.
There are 3 trim levels badged simplistically as ZC, M and H, C being the entry, M being the top specification that gains, a fully automatic air conditioning system and one touch starting, it also benefits with cruise control, heated seats, privacy glass, the controls are mounted on the steering wheel. The top of the specification also benefits, from leather seats and a Kenwood in-car entertaining which contains an iPod and satellite navigation and a reversing camera. For me the entry level would tick all the boxes that I need.
Mitsubishi have not overlooked safety features and the vehicle is Euro NCap as a 5 *. Certain other features include extensive use of energy dispersion structuring and I do like the factor that Mitsubishi have tried to safeguard pedestrian injury aspects by including plastic front wings and energy absorbing front bumpers these may also feature if you do take the vehicle off-road and on a hill descent nudge things that you shouldn’ t really be doing.
The performance and driving dynamics of the ASX were very rewarding, a trip to the Peak District enabled some off-roading on very muddy roads and tracks, some dual carriageways and hilly roads in and around the hills of the Peak District near to the highest village in England Flash, the vehicle coped admirably at all times. A healthy amount of luggage space could be incorporated and I particularly liked the little section underneath the boot floor that could be raised to hide certain valuable items that you do not want to be on view.
The performance aspects of my particular diesel derivative allowed for a 0 – 60 in 10 seconds, a top speed where legal of 118 mph, Mitsubishi suggest that the combined fuel figure should be in the vicinity of 48 mpg, I only managed to achieve 39mpg according to the onboard computer.
Sadly the CO emissions on both the petrol and the diesel are not low and therefore cheap road tax is not going to be a feature, my test 2.2 was quoted at 152 Co. gm so no low or free excise duty on this vehicle.
The ASX has an unlimited mileage warranty, 12 year anticorrosion and a 3-year Roadside Assistance package. With prices starting at a low £ 15,249 and topping out at £ 24,899 you will certainly find a vehicle that should tick the box and I recommend you have a look at the Mitsubishi if you need this type of vehicle.
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