2011 Mitsubishi ASX DiiD VVT 1.8 turbo diesel from Germany

Summary:

An honest workhorse that has failed to capture my interest

Faults:

Rear parking sensors temperamental - have had a couple of parking bumps into things which they have failed to notice. There seem to be "dead zones" in the coverage in different places on each side. This is important as the rear visibility is poor.

A shock absorber has broken, and a rear light cluster had to be replaced.

General Comments:

I find it horrible to drive, plenty of understeer if you try to get a move on, huge lag on the engine from low revs (the Variable Valve Timing makes the fuel consumption better, but it leaves the car completely gutless if you need to pick up speed from low revs in a hurry), and the body rolls and wallows under sudden changes of direction. The handling is noticeably better when the permanent 4wd setting is engaged, but this is still not a car to "chuck".

The fuel consumption, while not as far removed from the manufacturer figures as is stated on many other sites, is still something you are better off working out for yourself rather than relying on the handbook or the trip computer for.

On the motorway it's a good cruiser with some ability to pick up speed quickly in 6th gear if needed, but the seats aren't in the top bracket for support and comfort, and at 1m89 tall I have to have the seat as far back as it will slide, as well as leaning it back further than I would ideally like, which makes the comfort issue worse.

The window tinting is particularly effective, and I often find myself driving without sunglasses in conditions where they would be essential for me in other cars. However the panoramic roof is a question of personal taste - for me it lets far too much light into the car, so I hardly ever use it.

Off-road ability is surprisingly good. It will never be a proper off-roader, but it copes well with rutted tracks, mud and grassy inclines, especially when on the narrowest tyres available. In the Winter it has no problems running on compacted snow (with the correct tyres), and the car always feels calm and stable if you take things easy. I can't fault it as a Winter car thus far.

A financial consideration to bear in mind is the "traditional" service interval of 15000km or 12 months, none of your long-life service intervals here. It's certainly better for the car for it to be serviced so regularly, but it does add the cost of ownership, especially if you are likely to get rid of the car before any big-ticket non-warranty items need replacing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 30th August, 2016

29th Oct 2017, 17:20

Update: The car has now done 95000km and is 6 years old, with no mechanical troubles and still only the broken shock absorber and light cluster from a couple of years ago to report. It should also be noted that the service interval increases to 20000km after the 75000km service. Fuel consumption appears to be stable compared to new, and everything is still functioning properly. On the inside, only the floor mats and steering wheel buttons are showing their age, the seats are still in excellent condition and the interior trim is all tightly in place. It's still a bit of an uninspiring heap to drive, but you have to give it credit for doing all the important bits properly.

2011 Mitsubishi ASX 2.0L petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

To coin the advertising phrase, "Love that car"

Faults:

Thankfully, nothing as yet.

General Comments:

Plenty of space for our 3 person family.

The interior is very roomy for the exterior size; I call it the Tardis.

The front seats could do with lumbar support, after a long drive (I'm talking a couple of hours). There is a bit of back stiffness for me, and I need a good stretch.

Bluetooth interface works really well with my phone. Fuel economy is outstanding for the size (I average 6.7L/100km through traffic to work and back). I got 700km out of 45L for a mixture of city and highway driving over the weekend. The tank has a capacity of 63 litres.

The automatic transmission takes a little getting used to. It is CVT, so it sounds like you have a slipping clutch if you need to put your foot down (and I seem to be expecting the downshift, which doesn't happen being a CVT), but apart from the sound, the car takes off really well.

A good tow car for our 4.5m fibreglass boat, which is 700kg.

There is a bit of thump from the rear suspension over deeply rutted roads when the car is empty apart from the driver. But I suspect the springs are a bit stiffer than your average family sedan.

A great car; not the most exciting to drive, but an honest, generally comfortable and effortless driving experience.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th April, 2013