2025 Mitsubishi ASX : The automotive landscape continues to evolve with strategic partnerships shaping the future of well-established brands. The 2025 Mitsubishi ASX represents one such fascinating transformation, emerging not from Mitsubishi’s traditional Japanese design studios but through a collaborative approach with French automaker Renault. This comprehensive rebirth marks a significant shift for the ASX nameplate in Australia, bringing European engineering sensibilities to a model that has long been a staple in Mitsubishi’s lineup.
The Renault Connection: A New Foundation
European Bones, Mitsubishi Badge
The 2025 ASX represents more than just a facelift or generational change—it embodies a fundamental transformation in the vehicle’s identity. Built on Renault’s CMF-B platform, this newest iteration shares its architectural DNA with the Renault Captur, marking a decisive pivot from its Japanese heritage toward European design philosophy.
This platform-sharing strategy reflects the broader alliance between Mitsubishi, Renault, and Nissan, where resource optimization and technology sharing have become central tenets. For consumers, this translates to a completely different driving experience compared to previous ASX generations that relied on Mitsubishi’s proprietary underpinnings.
Design Evolution: Inside and Out
Visually, the 2025 ASX embraces a more contemporary European aesthetic while retaining subtle cues to its Mitsubishi lineage. The front fascia features Mitsubishi’s signature Dynamic Shield design language, though executed with distinctly European proportions. The flowing, sculptural body lines represent a departure from the more angular approach of previous generations.
Inside the cabin, the Renault influence becomes unmistakable. The dashboard architecture, infotainment layout, and overall ergonomics bear striking similarities to the Captur, though with Mitsubishi-specific finishes and branding elements. A 9.3-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen dominates the center console, complemented by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster in higher-end variants.
Three Australian Options: Tailored for Different Needs
The 2025 ASX arrives in Australia with three distinct trim levels, each targeting specific segments of the increasingly competitive small SUV market.
ES: The Foundation of the Range
The entry-level ES establishes the baseline for the ASX experience. Powered by a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine generating 90kW and 160Nm of torque, this variant emphasizes efficiency and urban maneuverability. Standard equipment includes:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights and taillights
- 7-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Cloth upholstery
- Six-speaker audio system
- Manual air conditioning
- Comprehensive safety suite including autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition
The ES positions itself as a value proposition, targeting first-time SUV buyers and those prioritizing affordability without sacrificing essential modern conveniences.
LS: Elevated Comfort and Technology
Stepping up to the mid-range LS brings a more potent powertrain—a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 115kW and 270Nm—paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Beyond the powertrain upgrade, the LS enhances the driving experience with:
- 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels
- Keyless entry and push-button start
- Dual-zone climate control
- Heated front seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Upgraded 9.3-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system
- Satellite navigation with live traffic updates
- Automatic high beam
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
The LS strikes a balance between premium features and reasonable pricing, likely to appeal to small families and urban professionals who desire additional comfort and technology.
Exceed: Premium Aspirations
The flagship Exceed variant elevates the ASX into more premium territory, featuring the same 1.3-liter powertrain as the LS but with an enhanced equipment package that includes:
- Exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels with machined finish
- Full LED adaptive front lighting
- Panoramic sunroof
- Leather upholstery with contrasting stitching
- 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster
- Premium Bose audio system with nine speakers
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- 360-degree camera system
- Automated parking assistance
- Highway driving assist with adaptive cruise control
The Exceed targets discerning buyers who expect luxury appointments and advanced features in their compact SUV, positioning itself against premium-adjacent competitors.
Elevated Pricing: The Cost of Evolution
Accompanying the ASX’s European transformation comes a notable increase in pricing across the range. This upward shift represents both the enhanced feature set and the changing market positioning of the model.
Price Breakdown by Trim Level
| Variant | Powertrain | Transmission | Drive Configuration | MSRP (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES | 1.0L 3-cyl turbo (90kW/160Nm) | 6-speed manual | Front-wheel drive | $32,990 |
| LS | 1.3L 4-cyl turbo (115kW/270Nm) | 7-speed DCT | Front-wheel drive | $36,490 |
| Exceed | 1.3L 4-cyl turbo (115kW/270Nm) | 7-speed DCT | Front-wheel drive | $40,990 |
*All prices exclude on-road costs
This pricing structure positions the new ASX noticeably higher than its predecessor, which started below the $30,000 threshold. The shift reflects not only the model’s more sophisticated European underpinnings but also Mitsubishi’s strategic move to elevate the ASX’s market position.
Value Proposition in Context
When examined against key competitors in the small SUV segment, the 2025 ASX’s pricing places it in a challenging middle ground. It now competes directly with established players like the Mazda CX-30, Kia Seltos, and Toyota Corolla Cross, while also encroaching on the territory of premium-adjacent options like the Volkswagen T-Roc.
The value equation hinges significantly on the European driving dynamics, enhanced technology package, and the comprehensive seven-year warranty that Mitsubishi offers—factors that may justify the premium for certain buyers.
Performance and Efficiency: European Engineering Advantages
Powertrain Characteristics
The shift to Renault-sourced engines brings a decidedly European character to the ASX’s performance profile. Both the 1.0-liter three-cylinder and 1.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged powerplants deliver their torque in the low and mid-range, providing responsive urban driving characteristics.
The smaller engine, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, emphasizes efficiency with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 5.7L/100km. The larger 1.3-liter unit, despite its additional power, maintains reasonable efficiency at 6.1L/100km while delivering noticeably more urgent acceleration.
Dynamic Behavior
On-road manners benefit from the Renault Captur’s well-regarded chassis tuning, with the ASX demonstrating confident handling characteristics. The steering offers improved precision compared to the outgoing model, while ride quality strikes a balanced compromise between comfort and body control.
Mitsubishi engineers have implemented subtle changes to the suspension calibration to better align with Australian road conditions and driver expectations, though the European DNA remains evident in the overall dynamic behavior.
Technology and Connectivity: A Digital Leap Forward
Infotainment Evolution
The 2025 ASX represents a significant advancement in Mitsubishi’s infotainment offerings, largely thanks to Renault’s more sophisticated systems. The 9.3-inch vertical touchscreen in higher trims features intuitive menu structures, responsive touch inputs, and crisp graphics.
The system supports wireless smartphone integration, over-the-air updates, and connected services including weather forecasts, fuel prices, and parking availability. Voice command functionality allows natural language interaction for navigation, media, and climate control functions.
Advanced Driver Assistance
Safety technology sees comprehensive standardization across the range, with all models featuring:
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Lane departure warning and lane keep assist
- Traffic sign recognition
- Driver attention monitoring
- Adaptive cruise control (Exceed only)
- Highway driving assist (Exceed only)
These systems operate with refined calibration that avoids the false interventions that sometimes plague driver assistance features, striking a balance between safety and driver engagement.
Market Position and Future Prospects
The 2025 Mitsubishi ASX enters a highly competitive small SUV segment with distinctive European character traits that set it apart from both its predecessor and many of its Asian-designed competitors. This positioning presents both opportunities and challenges for Mitsubishi in the Australian market.
The elevated pricing structure moves the ASX away from its historical value-focused proposition toward a more premium positioning. Success will largely depend on consumers’ willingness to embrace this transformation and accept the ASX’s new European identity along with its higher price point.
For Mitsubishi, the rebadged Renault represents an opportunity to retain presence in the vital small SUV segment while the company focuses development resources on other core models. The approach aligns with broader industry trends toward platform sharing and strategic partnerships to manage development costs in an increasingly complex automotive landscape.
FAQs About the 2025 Mitsubishi ASX
Q: Is the 2025 ASX still manufactured by Mitsubishi? A: While it carries the Mitsubishi badge, the 2025 ASX is built by Renault in Europe, based on the Renault Captur’s platform and technology.
Q: Does the new ASX offer all-wheel drive? A: No, all 2025 ASX variants are front-wheel drive only, reflecting its focus on urban and suburban environments rather than off-road capability.
Q: What warranty does Mitsubishi offer on the new ASX? A: The 2025 ASX comes with Mitsubishi’s standard seven-year, 150,000km warranty, providing long-term ownership peace of mind.
Q: How does the new ASX compare in size to the previous generation? A: The 2025 ASX is slightly larger in all dimensions than its predecessor, offering improved interior space, particularly for rear passengers and cargo capacity.
Q: Are hybrid powertrains available for the ASX? A: Currently, no hybrid options are offered for the Australian market, though Renault does produce hybrid versions of the Captur in Europe that could potentially be introduced later.
ALSO READ: Holden Torana A9X 2028 The Muscle Car Set to Rival BMW M2