Mitsubishi ASX: Improving the breed

The biggest difference comes in the form of a full panoramic glass roof that spans the entire cabin. PHOTOS BY EUGENE ARANETA

Mitsubishi’s ASX had just been soldiering on for the last few years until recently, when it finally received some useful updates. The aging but reliable ASX, or Active Smart Crossover, compact utility vehicle has been modernized.

The ASX utilizes the same chassis as the current Lancer sedan and its bigger compact SUV brethren, the Outlander, which was previewed at the recently concluded Philippine International Motor Show.

New for the 2015 model year is the addition of a new variant: the GSR. The GSR comes with a formidable set of enhancements that help freshen up the ASX. The biggest difference comes in the form of a full panoramic glass roof that spans the entire cabin. This is commonly found on ultrahigh-end luxury cars.

Slide open the retractable sun shade cover and you get an al fresco feel without the actual heat and elements to disrupt your enjoyment of airy, roomy motoring. At night, the glass roof is illuminated by LED lights to help create a cozy ambiance inside.

At the recent media presentation of the ASX at the Capitol Commons are, from left, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. vice president for marketing Froilan Dytianquin, executive vice president for marketing Junya Masuda, marketing adviser Kazuki Takamora and AVP for marketing services Dante Calma.

The ASX GSR also gets new super wide-range HID headlamps that illuminate a wider field of vision, increasing safety by widening your peripheral or side views—handy when coming to an unlit pedestrian lane or intersection as they allow you to see objects sooner and clearer if you’re coming from either side of the normal headlamp range width.

In bad weather, pop-up headlamp washers ensure that the headlight lenses are always clear to give the best possible illumination.

Newly design 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped with 215/60R17 Yokohama A-Spec all-season touring tires, daytime LED running lamps, LED side-mirror turn-signal indicators, reverse sensors and an optional reversing camera, plus a host of optional Rhino-Rack roof racks and baskets round out the changes outside.

Inside, the canter console gets a new carbon-fiber dash panel accent while the rear seats gain a center armrest.

Thankfully, the Mivec variable valve and cam timing-equipped 4B11 aluminum block, which powered the same ASX soldiers on, is mated to an Invecs-III CVT transmission with Sportronic manual override control system that have paddle shifters mounted behind the three-spoke steering wheel.

It delivers a more than adequate 147.95 horsepower and 197 Newton-meters of torque driving from the front wheels over a wide powerband, helping to deliver good response and fuel efficiency. With the paddle shifters, the Invecs-III can simulate six forward gears to give better control for dynamic performance and engine-braking abilities during spirited driving.

Same engine

This is the same engine that powered Mitsubishi’s much-vaunted Lancer and Evolution X, the latter equipped with a turbocharger to deliver truly fire-breathing performance.

Safety comes in the form of ABS-EBD brakes with emergency brake assist and brake override system, plus dual-stage deployment front airbags for both driver and passenger.

Inside, the 60/40 split-folding seats fold flat to the floor, tripling your 384 liters of cargo space when the seats are up. This means you can haul very big, bulky objects in the safety of the cabin, protected from the elements.

This update of the ASX sees the range being rationalized into two variants: the basic GLS and the upscale GSR, which comes with the aforementioned aesthetic improvements. The GLS comes with high-grade fabric seats while the GSR comes with leather interior.

On the road, the ASX delivers the best of both worlds: Its high vantage point means you have a commanding view of the road ahead. The driving is closer to a typical sedan rather than an SUV, with controls that are light and easy for everyday driving.

The high hip-point also means that getting in and out of the ASX is easier, wherein you just sit naturally on the car, as compared to a regular sedan, wherein you fall in to sit.

It has a small 5.3-meter turning radius which helps it navigate through tight spots, and can accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour from rest in 11.3 seconds, then all the way to the manufacturer-indicated 193 kph.

The three-spoke steering wheel has the option for dealer-installed audio controls and adjusts for reach and rake. With the height-adjustable driver’s seat, you can find the most comfortable and ergonomically correct driving position, which is important for long stints behind the wheel.

Popular on very long drives

Cruise control is standard, with Mitsubishi seeing the ASX as a popular vehicle to be taken on very long drives.

The Multimedia System has a 6.5-inch touchscreen with six speakers that offers Bluetooth telephony and media streaming from your mobile device as well as slots for an SD card, USB and a 3.5-millimeter jack for auxiliary-in wired connection. It’s also been engineered to work seamlessly with Apple/iPod devices.

There’s also a smaller LCD display in the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel that displays the average speed, fuel consumption, range and trip meter—standard on both GLS and GSR variants.

Behind the wheel, the ASX feels engaging to drive. The 193-mm ground clearance invites you to investigate light, offroad trails or poorly surfaced roads and gives added security when braving flash floods and inclement weather.

The brakes provide impressive stopping power, even on a fully loaded ASX. With the 63-liter fuel tank, you get a theoretical 500-km range in city driving, which equates to 8 km per liter. On the highway, this increases to 14 kpl as the Invecs-III CVT is able to get into its stride and deliver impressive economy.

The compact SUV segment is heating up as more and more people desire added mobility and versatility. The Mitsubishi ASX, particularly in the GSR trim, has more than enough performance, space, versatility and tech toys to keep today’s sophisticated and demanding drivers happy.