The Mitsubishi ASX Started Completely Over, Right Down to Its Nationality

Both reviews open with the same striking fact: after 15 years running largely unchanged, this nameplate has been reborn as a rebadged version of a French rival, and opinion is genuinely split on whether that's a shrewd move or a genuine identity crisis.

Illustration for editorial purposes

A Familiar Name, an Entirely Different Car Underneath

Very few model changeovers involve this much of a wholesale reinvention. Reviewers keep grappling with the same question: does badge-engineering a well-regarded rival count as a genuine new generation, or does it just borrow someone else's homework?

Specs at a Glance

Body style	Compact SUV
Basis	Rebadged Renault Captur (Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance platform sharing)
Engine	1.3L turbo petrol
Transmission	7-speed dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive only
Warranty	10 years

Full Review Summary

CarExpert

CarExpert praised the interior as a genuine leap forward from the old ASX's notably dated cabin, highlighting Google Built-in navigation and a crisp 10.4-inch touchscreen against the previous generation's basic, non-digital instrument cluster. They found steering feel diminishes noticeably as speed increases, with adjustable weight settings doing little to add genuine confidence, and rated the boot as spacious at 484 litres, expanding to 1,596 litres with the rear seats folded, though noted rear seat space feels tighter than the outgoing car given the new model's smaller external footprint.

🎬 Watch: CarExpert's Mitsubishi ASX review

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Independent reviewer commentary

Other reviewers were more openly critical of the rebadging approach, arguing the new ASX shares its chassis, interior and switchgear essentially unchanged with the Renault Captur it's based on, right down to the centre console layout. They noted the absence of a plug-in hybrid or fully electric option as a missed opportunity given Mitsubishi's own history with the Outlander PHEV, and questioned whether the pricing premium over the mechanically identical Captur is justified purely for the badge.

Trims & Engines at a Glance

There's no plug-in hybrid or electric option, despite Mitsubishi's own history with the Outlander PHEV — every ASX engine here is shared directly with the Renault Captur it's based on.

Derivative	Engine	Power	Transmission	Body
ASX 1.0 turbo LS	1.0L 3-cyl turbo petrol, FWD	90bhp	6-speed manual	SUV
ASX 1.3 mild-hybrid LS / Aspire	1.3L 4-cyl mild-hybrid petrol, FWD	138bhp	6-speed manual	SUV
ASX 1.3 mild-hybrid Aspire / Exceed	1.3L 4-cyl mild-hybrid petrol, FWD	155bhp	7-speed automatic (DCT)	SUV
ASX 1.6 full hybrid Exceed	1.6L full-hybrid petrol, FWD	143bhp (system)	Automatic (multi-mode)	SUV

Trim walk follows Renault's LS → Aspire → Exceed structure, with exact engine-to-trim allocation for UK cars worth confirming at a dealer, since availability has varied by market. A broad exterior colour range is offered. Check Mitsubishi's UK configurator for current pricing.

Strengths

Dramatically improved cabin technology over the outgoing model
Genuinely spacious boot with a useful expanding capacity
Long 10-year warranty
Decent ride and handling balance for a small SUV

Weak points

Steering feel fades noticeably at higher speeds
Essentially identical to the Renault Captur it's based on
No plug-in hybrid or electric version, unlike some rivals
Rear seat space tighter than the previous generation

Who It Actually Suits

Buyers who want genuine Mitsubishi warranty backing and dealer support on what is mechanically a Renault Captur. Worth directly comparing pricing against the Captur itself before deciding whether the badge and warranty premium make sense for you.

Common Mitsubishi ASX Parts & Costs

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Mitsubishi ASX review ↗ (same video, watch above ↗)