It has 17” Alloy Rims, decent ground clearance, and for the top of its class  2.0L MIVEC CVT GLS model, Active Stability control, Traction Control and Hillside Assist system for the camping trip, we all are going to take, but never do.

 

Safety includes 7 airbags for the driver, passenger, seat, side and driver knee (which we all know is the most important one as to not ruin your comeback move for 100m sprints) So you’re now slightly attracted to what you’ve seen, let’s take look at the personality. Opening the door, you’ll get a quality leather smell from all the seats and heated front seats for the cold snowy winter I’m predicting this year. The keyless operating system with start stop engine button comes standard in the GLX and CVT GLS models, however the GL model will still roll with the old key and chain.

 

You won’t be overwhelmed by the electronics and buttons in this car, it is simple and efficient-a clean design. The dashboard is also covered with soft plastic, giving it a quality sturdy look and feel. Driver comfort is excellent and your front passenger won’t be complaining much either, although I see with all the models coming out now, the dash is cut quite low, stopping you from stretching your legs unless you want to squash the passenger in the back. If you’re taller than 6.1” I suggest you call ‘shotgun’ because you won’t have much space to move around during your trip, neither do you have rear air vents to keep you like your friends in front, cool…

 

However, it has a spectacular panoramic roof, which was one of my favourite features. I could not get myself to close it during my time with the car, constantly gazing out whenever I didn’t want to be reminded about the fuel consumption usage in town.

 

Jip it’s time to check out the personals:

Under the bonnet, the 2.0L  4 Cylinder Multi point fuel injection engine will get you going from 0-100km in 9.6 seconds. It is sometimes lethargic in the low revs, waiting to hit 3000rpm before showing off all of its leg. Overtaking ability sees you wanting to shift down to a lower gear and all this higher revving and down shifting does play on the fuel consumption a great deal. The best I could manage in town was an average of 11-11.5L per 100km’s. Stretching its  legs on the open road will get you down to a 8.1 L per 100km’s, but I couldn’t help thinking that a sixth gear would have helped in this regard. The CVT GLS model does have the six speed gearbox, and a projected consumption of 7.6L per 100km, whilst the model I drove was marked down as 7.5L per 100km.

 

The ride comfort in this car was really good. I took it on a tour on some of my pet peeve speed bumps and irritating corners and it held up great. I was always comfortable, although the seat doesn’t hug your back quite like you would, while you are doing your Sebastian Vettel impersonation for the ‘win’ at Monte Carlo. You tend to slide a little bit in the seat, but hey, this isn’t a Formula1 car, it’s a SUV/Crossover, Family car. The 2013 Mitsubishi ASX models are priced from R279 900.00 to R342 900, which puts it smack in the middle of all its competitors. Mitsubishi have priced the ASX competitively, and for this reason it is a car you need to look at when considering buying a SUV/Crossover.

 

Towards the end of my trip with the ASX, I must admit that the car grew on me quite a bit, and when handing the keys back reluctantly, I could not help thinking it will get better and better the more time you spend with it. Go out and buy it immediately, then again maybe not. At the very least, give it a once over, it’s worth considering.