DABAS BLOG FEBUARY 2020:

The updated MY20 Mitsubishi ASX.

Hello readers, Melbourne’s 2019-20 summer holidays are over, and another school year has just started; as with previous years, the Mitsubishi ASX continues to dominate the school drop-off zone and Australia’s rapidly expanding small SUV market (DABAS featured the MY19 ASX in a past blog). Recently, for MY20, it received its third and most significant upgrade, bringing substantial design, safety, multimedia and powertrain advances. The Mitsubishi ASX has been in showrooms since before August 2010, yet reportedly it’s still Australia’s most popular small SUV in one of the most contested segments of the car industry in 2020. The Mitsubishi ASX has found almost 20,000 homes every year since 2016, thus making Australia one of the biggest ASX markets worldwide. You may ask, what the secret of the ASX’s popularity is, in the face of newer rivals like the Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Kona, Toyota C-HR and Kia Seltos, whilst noting the ASX range now does without the diesel and all-wheel drive powertrains offered by some of its segment rivals. Reports say it’s the ASX’s mix of equipment complemented by both the interior and exterior dimensions (which place it in the middle of the small SUV segment) that attracts everyone from young hipsters and couples to the older demographic with hip and joint mobility access issues. With the  MY20 ASX update, Mitsubishi is hoping to add even more of the younger generation to that demographic list with the addition of two sportier new model variants that take their names from the discontinued Lancer (MR and GSR), for which the ASX has become a popular substitute.

The Mitsubishi ASX is based on the popular Japanese carmaker’s GS platform and has shared its DNA platform with the last Lancer, the larger Eclipse Cross and two generations of mid-size Outlander SUVs. Similarly, the recent MY20 ASX update brings an optional – pending the variant chosen – bigger ‘new to the ASX range’ 4B12 2360cc DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine, which also has been found under the hood powering a range of Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles in years gone by. It may be a father figure – in age – to some MY20 segment rivals –  but the MY20 Mitsubishi ASX is updated in just the right areas and, with the option of a bigger engine and the sporty new MR and GSR versions, you can get some extra spice as well, so let’s look a little closer at the MY20 ASX updates.

We hope you find this blog post on the MY20 updated Mitsubishi ASX an interesting read; clicking on the included DABAS blog links throughout this post may even shine some light on other information that assists you in selecting a suitable vehicle for your personal car-buying needs by providing some useful “very general-in-nature” information to help you on your vehicle selection journey.

If you would like DABAS’s assistance buying a vehicle, please click here.

Before we start, keep in mind that when looking at buying a brand-new MY19 or MY20 vehicle, as with any big decision, it’s best to do research before stepping a toe into an LMCT dealership; DABAS can assist by doing this for you, looking at factors such as fuel economy, safety, technology, servicing schedules and costs, plus added extras that may all help in your final purchase decision, as each vehicle’s variant in the model range is usually available with progressing arrays of added inclusions that may suit your personal needs to a tee. Comparing new cars solo by yourself can be very time-consuming, and at times confusing, but with DABAS’s assistance the modest service fee charged for our assistance will have been well worth it when you get behind the wheel of your ideal dream car, knowing the vehicle suits your lifestyle and hip pocket, both now and in the long run!

Here we go, some more information on the Mitsubishi ASX MY20 update: on sale since 2010, the current Mitsubishi ASX is reportedly the biggest-selling compact SUV in Australia and the Japanese carmaker’s second-biggest seller behind the Triton Ute. The ASX, Australia’s top-selling veteran compact SUV, has recently been updated for MY20; it now gets a choice of a bigger engine option with some familiar badge names – well known from the Mitsubishi company’s history – now joining the MY20 ASX range. The return of the GSR and MR badges will resonate with fans of the extinct Lancer passenger car. These two new models form what Mitsubishi dubs a “sports range” for the updated MY20 ASX. The MR gets the 2.0-litre engine and the GSR the 2.4 litre engine. The only other ASX model to pick up the bigger engine is the flagship ASX Exceed. The ES and LS badged variants continue with the 2.0, the former the only model with a choice of five-speed manual as well as CVT auto. In the MY20 update, autonomous emergency braking – or “forward collision mitigation”, as Mitsubishi dubs it – has now been made standard across all models. Note – The entry-level ES offers a bunch of safety features standard on other models such as lane departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert as part of a $2500 ADAS option pack.

So what has changed over the previous MY19 model, (as pictured above) you ask.

There are new-look LED headlights, a new front bumper and bonnet design and what Mitsubishi calls a bold dynamic shield grille. Inside the five-door front-wheel-drive wagon, an 8.0-inch touchscreen replaces the old 7.0-inch design and all models get an electrochromatic rear-view mirror. The GSR gets gearchange paddles, while the Exceed alone now has a Rockford Fosgate premium audio system, TomTom navigation and new trims. Additional styling elements for the GSR include black cloth headlining, micro-suede and leather-look seats with red stitching, and the addition of a sports rear spoiler.

For a list of the MY20 ASX variants inclusions please look below.

MY20 Mitsubishi ASX ES (as per pictures above) features 2.0L MPI MIVEC Engine, five-speed manual or CVT, forward collision mitigation (FCM), seven airbags, active stability control, traction control, hill start assist, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, daytime running lamps (DRL), LED brake, tail and reverse lamps, rear spoiler with LED stop lamp, leather-wrapped steering wheel, single-zone climate control, cruise control, door mirrors with electric fold control, 8.0-inch smartphone touch-screen audio, DAB radio, Apple, CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, electrochromatic rear-view mirror, reverse camera. ASX ES with ADAS safety pack additional features lane departure warning, lane change assist, blind-spot warning, reverse sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beam, front fog lamps, door mirrors with turn indicator, rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing headlamps.

ASX LS adds smart key and one-touch start, roof rails, privacy glass, chrome interior door handles.

ASX MR adds black alloy wheels, black door mirrors, black grille, privacy glass, front fog lamps, leather-appointed steering wheel, shift knob and park brake with red stitching, aluminum pedals, smart key with one-touch start

ASX GSR additions (over MR) 2.4L MPI MIVEC engine, sports rear spoiler, paddle shift, micro-suede and synthetic leather seating, black interior headlining, six speakers.

ASX Exceed adds 2.4L MPI MIVEC engine, two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, dark argent radiator grille, auto headlamp levelling, panoramic roof, leather-appointed seats, heated seats, driver four-way power seat, TomTom navigation, Rockford Fosgate premium audio with 9 speakers.

General pricing of the MY20 Mitsubishi ASX range ( as pictured below):  ES manual – $24,990, ES auto – $26,740, , MR – $28,490, LS auto – $30,240, GSR – $32,490, Exceed auto – $35,740,  *Note – prices are drive-away (including on-road costs).

Summary – Engine: 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol,  Output: 110kW/197Nm and 123kW/222Nm, Transmission: Five-speed manual and CVT automatic,  Fuel economy: 7.6L/100km (2.0 CVT), 7.9L/100km (2.4 CVT), CO2: 176g/km and 186g/km, Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2014). Beyond the bold new look of the MY20 update, customers will appreciate the bigger 8.0-inch touchscreen with all the latest connectivity functions, the potentially life-saving safety of AEB for all models and other new standard features. And because the ASX shares its 2670mm wheelbase with the bigger Eclipse Cross and Outlander, it’s better packaged inside, where it offers more cabin space than most small SUVs. Boot space – The Exceed variant’s big, bassy sub-woofer might rob some boot space and there’s no full-size spare underneath, but cargo capacity extends from a generous 393 to 1193 litres with the rear seats folded. With just 1380kg to haul around and a 10.6m turning circle via its electrically assisted, multi-function and fully adjustable steering wheel, the ASX is reportedly easy to park. The ASX’s slightly taller ride height also delivers a commanding view of the road and makes getting in and out of easy. Exterior paint colours include white, starlight, sterling silver, black, lightning blue, titanium, red diamond and new sunshine orange (on the GSR and Exceed only). Three genuine accessory packs are also available, including the $1699 adventure kit, $999 protection pack and $2199 style set, comprising everything from roof racks to bonnet/headlight and tailgate protectors, nudge bar, cargo liner, scuff plates, weather shield, front/rear skid plates and carpet mats. All models come with a five-year/unlimited-km warranty and capped-price service with roadside assist for $199 per 15,000km. (#Note– Mitsubishi at times offers the ASX ES, LS and Exceed with a seven-year warranty and two years of free servicing). The Mitsubishi MY20 ASX represents good value. It’s well priced and equipped – even at entry level, if your purchasing criterion is cubic volume for your dollar then the MY20 Mitsubishi ASX should be on your potential shopping list.

At DABAS we know that buying a car to suit your needs can be one of the biggest purchases in your life. We hope this intended to be “general-in-nature advice and information” blog page has provided some helpful assistance for you in deciding the path of your car-buying journey. Please note any examples, options, pricing and information mentioned in these blog posts are to be considered as a very general-in-nature summary; all specifications, information and linked advice mentioned in this blog page may be outdated or superseded by the time of your reading of this blog page;  information in all DABAS blog pages will be confirmed at the time of you updating into your next vehicle, along with your chosen vehicle’s sales representative in their LMCT showroom at the time you transition to becoming a client of DABAS. We look forward to having a chat when the need arises for you to update your car; to assess your personal car-safety requirements and buying needs to suit your lifestyle. And importantly your set specified budget!

Whatever roads your life journey takes you on, DABAS can help you find a car to travel those roads.

When it comes time to update your car DABAS is aware of some things to consider within the many featured model range variants, inclusions, plus more of the opposition comparisons, and also things to keep in mind – including when you are trading in your old car at a LMCT used-car yard – and the special trade-in incentives offered on drive-away-no-more-to-pay deals obtainable – at times – within leading brands’ Melbourne LMCT new-car dealerships.

These will be discussed upon your transition to becoming a client of DABAS.

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Have a great day, Cheers, Tim.

–Please note; information mentioned on this page is to be considered as a general-in-nature summary; all information and advice mentioned may be outdated or superseded by the time of your reading of this page; all information will be confirmed at the time of your transition to becoming a client of DABAS.