Mitsubishi ASX: Versatile, well-finished and comfortable

1.692599-1959308547 — Image Credit: Supplied

Mitsubishi knows that the crossover, or ‘mid-size SUV market' as they prefer to call it, is a habitat dominated by the extremely territorial Nissan Qashqai. The thing chews up the segment like a diminishing supply of Wrigleys. But despite that, Mitsubishi was brave enough to launch the ASX locally.

The company's research into the GCC shows that the upper side of the segment is still the preferred choice for buyers, but is adamant that in the future many of us will look at smaller offerings with less scorn. This is mainly due to rising fuel costs, and also because ‘spend first, think later' is a frame of mind last evident in the region in 2008.

Anyway, I was quite taken aback when the PR executive invited me to the launch at the Dubai Autodrome. Why would I want to drive a crossover on a race track? This really annoyed me as I wouldn't actually be able to evaluate the vehicle in its destined environment. However, when I arrived at least I had plenty of time to mull over both specs offered here, before jumping into the driver's seat.

The Mitsubishi ASX is a good-looking car, because it takes many (read: all) styling cues from the aggressive new Lancer. So it's basically a Lancer hatch, with a taller ride height. This design actually lends itself better to this tighter-packaged form, so the ASX ends up feeling both cheeky and cute. The Qashqai, on the other hand, has always simply looked weird. It still does, standing there just outside the pit garage. Yup, Mitsubishi courteously invited a pair of Qashqais along for the field trip to the track.

Inside, the ASX is quite accommodating for what's otherwise a very compact vehicle — it's 250mm shorter than its chief nemesis, but it crucially has a 40mm longer wheelbase which means adults can sit in the back without sulking at losing the ‘shotgun' call. They'll also have space for their bowling hats, should the need arise, as the ASX benefits with 15mm of headroom over the Qashqai. They'll have to be quite small hats then. How about berets?

Anyway, Mitsubishi knows that extra headroom isn't going to topple a top-seller — it needs a secret weapon, and with the ASX, it comes in the form of "Let's go guys, cram it all in, all of it!" So the ASX is well equipped, with a 710W Rockford Fosgate sound system, panoramic glass roof with hidden LED mood lighting (which illuminates up and then down, bouncing off the glass), wide-vision HID headlamps, USB and Bluetooth integration and up to seven airbags, including a driver's knee saviour.

Even the spare is a full size alloy and not a ‘biscuit' good for just 80kph, although the base car gets a nasty black ‘steelie'. Come to think of it, the base ASX also doesn't have seat heating, leather, electric seats, auto air conditioning or the Links System… All of which are there on the flagship model. So to sum up, go for the top spec version. I'd do it for the panoramic roof alone.

Track time

Finally, it was my turn to join the last group on track. First, I jumped into the Qashqai to get reacquainted. Its droning CVT was always the low point for me, and mated to a 138bhp 2.0-litre engine, it wailed in desperation near the redline the whole way around the Autodrome. But it must be said the Qashqai demonstrated decent levels of control and only mildly alarming body roll, but it was fine with abrupt weight transfer and braking. In fact, it's all good apart from the powertrain.

The ASX immediately felt better accelerating out of the pit, with 10 horses more on its side, thanks to a modern 2.0-litre four with Mitsubishi's electronic valve control. Sadly, the ASX too comes with a CVT, which is smooth enough and even comes with token paddles on the steering column. They're large and nicely weighted too, delivering a satisfying mechanical clunk not far off the Evolution X SST.

No, seriously. Of course you'd never ever actually use them, and neither did I after that one time. This is a car Mitsubishi isn't afraid to admit targets mostly women and first-time buyers, not petrolheads.

The ASX also has all-wheel drive, with a dial behind the gear lever to let you select two-wheel drive, and even lock mode for some reason. I tried both two and four-wheel drive and preferred the latter even though it devours more petrol. It just composes itself better when the road camber is dodgy and especially coming out of the turns, it gives great traction. I was surprised with the minimal understeer, the decent steering feedback which was quick to spring back to centre and the feeling of a low centre of gravity. In all honesty though, it was still a bit scary hammering it around the track and I was glad when it was all over justa few minutes later.

Verdict

It was quite a stroke of genius for Mitsubishi to bring out the Qashqai. Maybe it was a risk, but the guys were obviously confident, and I think it was warranted arrogance. The ASX does indeed accelerate better and turn in sharper with more stability coming out. It's still comically slow mind you, and whirrs on for ages. In any case the race track exercise was a bit pointless because I didn't need convincing that the ASX is a better driver's car; I needed convincing that it's a better buy.

Well it's pretty simple actually; the top of the range ASX costs Dh8k more than a fully loaded Qashqai, so it's not a better buy.

But if you really care about vehicle dynamics in this class — and you probably shouldn't — then the ASX just manages to come out on top.

Safety first

As expected from Mitsubishi, safety is paramount. Aside from all of the safety measures which have been designed into the car's DNA, such as the pedestrian friendly bonnet design and energy-absorbing front bumpers, the ASX now also comes with everything else you can imagine. This means it has active stability control, active traction control, hill start assist system, ABS, electronic brake distribution, brake assist, emergency stop signal system, and no less than seven airbags (dual front, front side, side curtain and driver knee airbag). It hasn't undergone Euro NCAP testing yet, but it's safe to assume it will fare pretty well when it does. We're thinking five-stars without any trouble.

Specs & ratings