Mitsubishi is PSA's official 4x4 supplier. After the Outlander, alias Peugeot 4007 and Citroën C Crosser, the Japanese will produce its new ASX on behalf of the two French brands. Only the front face will be different as well as... the engines. PSA will indeed mount its own diesels. The French group made an excellent choice. Because this new (false) compact 4x4, inspired by the Nissan Qashqai, is a success.

Shortened version of the Outlander

On the same platform as the “big” Outlander, the ASX is a shortened version at 4.29 meters long, roughly the size of a Renault Megane or a Peugeot 308. Suffice to say that we will have no problem getting around town. This new breed of vehicle, sporting 4x4 features but incorporating the technical characteristics of a simple saloon, is in fact an alternative solution to the Renault Scénic or Peugeot 3008 type minivans. With very similar weights and fuel consumption. Nothing to do with the “big” all-terrain hated environmentalists.

A job well done

The bodywork is square, well drawn, without excess or frills. Even if the truncated rear unbalances the whole a little, compared to the long bonnet. Inside, everything is also very well designed and made. Some plastics may not be flattering, but they're all solid and well put together, Japanese style. The ergonomics are clear, with an easy-to-find driving position. No crazy or outlandish ideas. Our top Instyle version sported well-crafted leather on the seats. The habitability, inherited from the Outlander, is satisfactory. Accessibility (at the front) and visibility call for no criticism. But, obviously, the planed rear overhang generates a reduced trunk compared to its big brother. Logic.

Excellent chassis

We find the Outlander's excellent chassis, neutral, with healthy reactions, which does not stutter on bad asphalt. We feel safe. Precision and rigor are at the rendezvous. Much more than on a sporty Alfa Romeo Giulietta, for example! In addition, the suspensions take bad coatings very well. Except on too brutal unevenness. However, we deplore the resonances generated by the tires and amplified by the wheel arches on the cobblestones!

Limited all-round evolution

Only two-wheel-drive front wheels and a moderately high ground clearance limit the ASX's good will on unpaved roads. We can certainly take those that are dry and not very rutted. But, lovers of all-road skills will always have the opportunity to afford a real four-wheel drive for 2,000 euros, useful in regions with a harsh winter climate or for those who have to take country roads more often. Anyway, for the most demanding, the Japanese brand keeps its big Pajero or L200 pick-ups in the catalog, whose reputation is second to none.

A successful diesel

The ASX inaugurates a brand new Mitsubishi diesel engine, which will not be used on the Peugeot and Citroën versions. The first modern diesel engine studied by the brand for its passenger cars, it immediately boasts remarkable smoothness of operation. Fairly quiet, vibration-free, ultra-civilized, linear, it is already establishing itself as one of the best in its class. No hole at low revs is felt, which is remarkable on a displacement engine (1.8 liters) altogether reduced. The same cannot be said of all the diesel vehicles tested recently in our columns! Only reservation: the 150 horses are not very demonstrative. And lovers of beautiful accelerations will be at their expense. On the other hand, consumption is contained. We sipped 6.5 liters of diesel per hundred on a mixed course with a lot of road. Very good for such a vehicle. This mechanism is equipped with a "Stop and start" (automatic stop and restart at a red light), which worked without complaining despite the high outside temperatures and the use of air conditioning during our test. We only had trouble restarting once. The system does not like to restart immediately, while the engine is in the process of shutting down. In this case, he panics a little. In terms of pleasure, note that the gearbox is generally pleasant, but that it does not really like changing gears quickly. In this case, the speeds hang a little.

Future variants

This beautiful mechanism will later be available in a less powerful version (116 horsepower) but also in a variant with 2.2 liters of displacement and 170 horsepower for the Outlander. No automatic gearbox is unfortunately available at this stage.

Competitive pricing

Good news: the price is very competitive, while the ASX is more powerful than its competitors. The range starts at 23,400 euros. The most complete version (with leather, touchscreen navigation system, glass roof, reversing camera, quality CD car radio, etc.) Instyle is worth 28,250 euros. Either one thousand to two thousand euros less than the rivals. No penalty is applicable, neither in 4x2 nor in 4x4.

Best proposal in the category

Mitsubishi's ASX is arguably the best proposition yet in the 'fake' compact 4x4 category. Basically, the only contraindication to the purchase is the weakness of Mitsubishi's after-sales network in France. It does not cover the territory like those of Toyota or Nissan. But, the mark is not less known, in particular in the mountainous zones or reign the large all-terrain.

Test model: Mitsubishi ASX 4x2 Instyle (28,250 euros)

Engine power: 150 horsepower (diesel)

Dimensions: 4.29 meters (long) x 1.77 (wide) x 1.62 (high)

Qualities: successful diesel engine, sound and comfortable chassis, meticulous manufacturing, quality finish, satisfactory performance-equipment-price ratio

Flaws: limited boot, poor performance, rolling noise on cobblestones

Competitors: Nissan Qashqai 4x2 dCi 150 Tekna: 29,250 euros; Ford Kuga 4x2 2.0 TDCi 140 Titanium (leather): 30,150 euros; Hyundai ix35 Premium Pack: 30,690 euros

Rating: 15 out of 20