- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.4i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
123kW, 222Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 7.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (CVT)
- Warranty
5 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2014)
2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR review
The Mitsubishi ASX remains one of Australia's top-selling SUVs despite being more than a decade old. How does it rate against newer competition?
- Recent styling update keeps it looking fresh
- Infotainment now has volume and tuning dials
- Made-in-Japan build quality
- 10-year warranty only applies to vehicles serviced within the Mitsubishi network
- Five-star safety score expires at the end of this year due to the car's age
- No digital speed display, space-saver spare not ideal
2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR
The Mitsubishi ASX remains one of the top-selling small SUVs in Australia, even though it has lasted the automotive equivalent of two lifetimes.
Most cars have a model cycle of six years or so before being replaced by a new-generation vehicle. Given the Mitsubishi ASX is now 12 years old, we should be on the third generation by now.
Instead, Mitsubishi elected to give the ASX four facelifts – some big, some small – over the past decade to keep it fresh. The new Mitsubishi ASX is now so old, its five-star safety rating will expire at the end of this year (along with two-dozen other new vehicles).
A new Mitsubishi ASX was due in showrooms a couple of years ago, but those plans got pushed back after Mitsubishi became part of the Nissan-Renault alliance in 2017.
Instead, the Mitsubishi ASX received its biggest makeover in 2020 – where it got a facelift that involved replacing every panel forward of the windscreen.
The interior came in for some attention, too, with a larger infotainment screen and the addition of volume and tuning dials and bigger bolsters on the seats. Other basics such as a digital speed display remain absent, showing a sign of its age.
Nevertheless, the Mitsubishi ASX still has plenty to offer, including made-in-Japan build quality, a proven mechanical package, a compact size that's just right for a lot of buyers, and the support of a large dealer network.
Many in the Drive office would have a Mitsubishi ASX ahead of newer models from some emerging Chinese brands. Here's why.
How much does the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR cost in Australia?
As this article was published, the Mitsubishi ASX line-up was priced from $27,990 to $38,640 drive-away. The biggest-selling variants of the Mitsubishi ASX range are the three most affordable model grades in a six-tier line-up: GS, ES, and MR.
It's worth noting these versions are powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, and do not come with a full suite of advanced safety technology.
Only the top three model grades – LS, GSR and Exceed – come with the full suite of available advanced safety aids.
The LS is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, while the GSR and Exceed come standard with a more powerful 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. Click here for the full rundown of each model in the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX line-up.
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We tested the Mitsubishi ASX GSR, the second model from the top.
When we had it in the Drive garage, it was priced from $34,840 drive-away. However, Mitsubishi has since joined other carmakers who have been forced to succumb to the rising cost of production and shipping.
The company has announced price rises of $500 on most models from the start of next year. That means the 2023 model-year Mitsubishi ASX GSR is now listed at $35,340 drive-away.
Drive-away deals have generally given the Mitsubishi ASX a cost advantage over its rivals. Pricing is one of the few levers Mitsubishi can pull to compete with newer rivals.
However, as we would discover, for all its merit the Mitsubishi ASX is facing an uphill battle amid the steady arrival of newer competition.
Key details | 2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR |
Price | $35,340 drive-away |
Colour of test car | Sunshine Orange Metallic |
Options | Metallic paint – $740 |
Price as tested | $36,080 drive-away |
Rivals | Mazda CX-30 | Toyota Corolla Cross | Ford Puma |
How much space does the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR have inside?
The Mitsubishi ASX is middle-of-road when its comes to interior space. Other cars in this class have roomier cabins and cargo holds, and back seat space is tighter than most rivals.
That said, the compact internal and external dimensions mean the Mitsubishi ASX can squeeze into smaller parking spaces.
Despite the update two years ago that introduced a larger infotainment screen plus volume and tuning dials (which are easier to use on the move than tiles on a touchscreen), the interior is starting to look dated.
The instrument cluster is clear and easy to read; however, there is no digital speed display, which is now common on most new cars.
The fit and finish are good – and the quality of materials on the dash, doors and seats feels durable.
There are two ISOFIX child seat anchor points in the outboard seating positions and three top-tether points, so an old-school child seat can be installed in the middle back-seat position.
All seating positions come with lap-sash belts and height-adjustable head rests.
The back seat has a 60:40 split and folds to create a flat load floor, whereas some rivals have a step between the cargo hold and the stowed back seat.
2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR | |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 393L seats up 1193L seats stowed |
Length | 4365mm |
Width | 1810mm |
Height | 1640mm |
Wheelbase | 2670mm |
Does the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR have Apple CarPlay?
Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring are standard (via one of two USB-A ports in the centre console), and the information is displayed on the 8.0-inch touchscreen.
AM/FM, digital radio and Bluetooth connection are standard, but embedded navigation is only available on the top-line Exceed.
The sound quality is okay, but oddly phone call audio comes from the speaker in the front passenger door.
Wireless phone charging is not currently available on any model grade of the Mitsubishi ASX range, another sign of its age.
Is the Mitsubishi ASX GSR a safe car?
The Mitsubishi ASX comes with seven airbags – two front, two side, two curtain airbags, and one for the driver's knee.
It was awarded a five-star safety score in 2014, but this rating will expire at the end of this year after ANCAP issued a time limit on old results.
The Mitsubishi ASX available in showrooms in 2023 will have the same basic safety features that earned it a five-star score eight years ago. However, a five-star score earned in 2022 is a higher achievement than a five-star score issued last decade.
The independent safety body has progressively raised the bar to earn a five-star safety rating over the past 10 years, and has introduced six-year expiry dates from the end of this year. It means consumers will be better able to compare like-for-like results, rather than five-star scores that today are up to 10 years apart.
One other important note when it comes to safety and the Mitsubishi ASX – only three of the six models come with the full suite of available safety technology (see next item).
2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR | |
ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2014), Rating expires at the end of 2022 |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR have?
All model grades in the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX range come with autonomous emergency braking and basics such as stability control, cruise control, and a rear-view camera.
However, only the three most expensive model grades – LS, GSR and Exceed – come with lane-departure warning (though not lane-keeping assistance), blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.
If the Mitsubishi ASX were assessed to today's more stringent ANCAP safety protocols, it would be unlikely to earn a five-star score given crash avoidance technology is now part of the criteria.
Five of the six models have 'automatic' dusk-sensing headlights and rear parking sensors; none have front parking sensors.
How much does the Mitsubishi ASX GSR cost to maintain?
Don't believe the hype on Mitsubishi's 10-year warranty. The standard warranty is five years/100,000km, which is below the industry average of five years/unlimited kilometres.
And two of the top 10 automotive brands in Australia (Kia and MG) have seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty coverage.
Mitsubishi's 10-year warranty applies only to vehicles serviced within the Mitsubishi dealer network. Step outside the Mitsubishi capped-price service program at any point and the warranty reverts to five-year/100,000km coverage.
At best, Mitsubishi's warranty should be advertised as 'five-plus-five-years' coverage.
Despite a recent overhaul to the 'right to repair' laws in Australia – which give independent workshops access to the same technical information as new-car dealership service centres, and consumers the right to have their vehicle serviced by any qualified mechanic – the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has, for now, said it is "monitoring" the situation.
Mitsubishi's capped-price servicing is available with a fixed cost per service visit of $299 per service for the first five visits. The capped-price program runs to 10 years with $599 services at the sixth, eighth, and tenth visits.
NRMA Insurance quotes an annual premium of $1005 for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
At a glance | 2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR |
Warranty | Five years/100,000km Up to 10 years/200,000km if service conditions are met |
Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
Servicing costs | $897 (3 years) $1495 (5 years) |
Is the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR fuel-efficient?
The Mitsubishi ASX is middle-of-the-road when it comes to fuel consumption. On test it averaged 8.0 to 8.5L/100km – par for the course – running on 91-octane regular unleaded.
Volkswagen's small turbo petrol engines and Toyota hybrid systems sip less fuel but their cars cost more.
Fuel Consumption - brought to you by bp
Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 7.9L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 8.0 to 8.5L/100km |
Fuel type | 91-octane regular unleaded |
Fuel tank size | 63L |
What is the 2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR like to drive?
The Mitsubishi ASX is fuss-free to drive and deals well with the daily grind.
Its performance is above average thanks to the bigger 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (versus the 2.0-litre in lesser ASX model grades, and most rivals).
The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) sounds like a slipping clutch when you floor the throttle from a standing start or when on the move, but this is a trait of this gearbox design. CVTs effectively have an infinite number of ratios, and the gearbox's internals aim to find the sweet spot to match the performance being asked of the engine.
Once on the move, CVT autos maintain momentum well. And I prefer CVT automatics to most twin-clutch designs, though old-school torque converter automatic transmissions are still the best in most applications.
The Mitsubishi ASX is, of course, not meant to be a race car or a hot hatch, but even with this in mind it has only average roadholding. It's not the best nor the worst in class, and the suspension can feel lumpy (more so than normal) over speed bumps and lumps in the road.
Visibility is relatively good thanks to the large glass area, wide-view side mirror lenses, and blind-zone warning symbols.
All buttons and dials – for the infotainment and air-conditioning – are well placed and easy to use, and the cabin materials have a quality feel (even if the design itself is a little dated).
For me, the biggest omission from the driver's seat is the lack of a digital speed display and speed-sign recognition technology.
The revamped, bi-LED headlights have a good coverage on low and high beams.
Fuel economy is not exactly miserly, but it's average for cars of this size and type over the past decade or so.
Key details | 2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR |
Engine | 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol |
Power | 123kW @ 6000rpm |
Torque | 222Nm @ 4100rpm |
Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
Transmission | Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) |
Power to weight ratio | 88kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 1398kg |
Spare tyre type | Space-saver |
Tow rating | 1300kg braked 750kg unbraked |
Turning circle | 10.6m |
Should I buy a 2023 Mitsubishi ASX GSR?
Any of the top three model grades in the Mitsubishi ASX line-up – LS, GSR and Exceed – would make my shopping list if I were in the market for a city SUV, as they are well equipped and competitively priced.
The scores below specifically relate to the Mitsubishi ASX GSR. We landed at seven out of 10 for each category, which means a 'pass' or 'class average' in our assessment.
Although scores tend to vary category by category, our string of sevens below is not an error and nor is it out of laziness. These scores represent where we believe this particular model grade lands – with these particular features in an SUV at this particular price point.
The scores for the same car may be less generous next year when the safety rating expires, and if there are further changes to the price.
On balance, the overall score of seven out of 10 goes some of the way to explaining why the Mitsubishi ASX has soldiered on for as long as it has. Continual updates (albeit seemingly minor) have helped keep it fresh.
With all that said, however, it is hard to recommend the three most affordable models in the latest Mitsubishi ASX line-up – GS, ES and MR – given the lack of key safety technology that is standard on newer rivals, and increasingly regarded as the bare essentials.