The Mitsubishi ASX has a decent infotainment system and comes with a long list of standard kit, but it feels too dated in important areas to recommend ahead of newer alternatives.
Pros Good infotainment system Proper all-wheel-drive system Decent levels of kit
Cons Poor rear space Noisy at speed Unsettled over bumps
The Exceed variant is the best 2020 Mitsubishi ASX money can buy, but is a fourth refresh enough to hide its age?
Pros The facelift has given it a sharper appearance Value for money Great stereo Good warranty/service offer at the moment
Cons Still a 10-year-old car underneath Interior is bland Fake vents everywhere Uninspiring drive
The 2020 Mitsubishi ASX Exceed comes with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that returns some pep to the range that was lost when the low-selling 2.2-litre turbodiesel was discontinued in 2018..Australia’s top-selling small SUV, the Mitsubishi ASX is popular for its spacious interior, comfortable ride and, most of all, good value in terms of pricing and features.
PROS Punchier 2.4-litre engine, spacious interior, standard features
CONS Cabin noise, handling, dated design
The 2019 Subaru Ascent isn’t another quirky hatchback-wagon-crossover thing—it’s a mainstream hit and Subaru will be better for it.
Pros Smart, family-ready interior Standard active safety features Good value at affordable trim levels Good infotainment system Willing powertrain with standard all-wheel drive
Cons Sometimes nervous throttle Seats could stand to be a little wider No hybrid powertrain—yet Top trims may not justify the price
The 2019 Subaru Ascent is available in base, Premium, Limited and Touring trim levels. Base models offer good value, especially with driver assistance features, but the Premium adds more of today's desirable features, such as heated seats and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Limited classes things up with leather upholstery, while the Touring maxes out the Ascent's luxury, convenience and safety features
PROS Seats up to eight passengers Cargo room and third-row space are near top of the class Generous set of standard driver safety aids Can tow up to 5,000 pounds
CONS Subaru CVT automatic not too impressive in other models Some more common driver aids are restricted to upper trims
Subaru prepares another ascent into the three-row-SUV market.
After axing the seven-passenger Tribeca in 2014, Subaru is preparing to re-enter the three-row, mid-size crossover SUV segment. With the Viziv-7 concept—the name Viziv stands for “Vision for Innovation”—the Japanese automaker provides our best look yet at what’s to come.
Measuring 204.7 inches long and sitting on a 117.7-inch wheelbase, the Viziv-7 is some 15 inches longer than Subaru’s Outback, and its wheelbase is more than nine inches greater. The Viziv-7 also is larger than most mainstream three-row, mid-size crossover SUVs. While the Buick Enclave, the Chevrolet Traverse, the Dodge Durango, and the Ford Flex ride on longer wheelbases, the Subaru’s overall length is greater than all four. Additionally, the Viziv-7’s 79.9-inch width and 72.0-inch height (73.2 inches including the roof rails) are tops among today’s segment offerings. Needless to say, if the Viziv-7’s dimensions carry over to the production vehicle, Subaru’s new SUV promises to dwarf the other models in the lineup as it attempts to move far beyond the cramped Tribeca
We believe the production vehicle will go by the name Ascent, given that Subaru recently registered that moniker with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Spy photographers recently caught Subaru testing its new three-row crossover, and along for comparison was both a Mazda CX-9 and a Ford Explorer; like them, we expect the Ascent to offer a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, although the 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine that’s optional in the Outback is also a possibility. We’ll know more in the coming months, as Subaru says its production three-row crossover will enter our market in early 2018.
