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Mitsubishi
ASX
XA-XD·
2010-2026
suv-soft
Value
Price (AUD)
$8k-$47k
Body styles
5-door wagon (small SUV)
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive, On-demand AWD (early diesel/2.0 AWD, 2010-2015)
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan (first generation, Okazaki/Mizushima); Spain (2026 Captur-based)
Overview
Australia's perennial cheap-and-cheerful small SUV. The first generation (XA through XD, 2010-2023) ran an extraordinarily long time on the Lancer-derived GS platform with only facelifts, which is exactly why it stayed affordable and why so many are on the road. The everyday engine is the 2.0L 4B11 petrol with a CVT (or 5-speed manual on base ES); a 1.8L 4N13 DI-D turbo-diesel with AWD was offered early (2010-2014) but sold poorly and was dropped, and a punchier 2.4L 4B12 petrol arrived with the 2019/2020 facelift for the higher GSR/Exceed grades. None of these are exciting, but the mechanicals are simple, tried-and-tested Mitsubishi parts and parts are everywhere. The defining caveats are the CVT (jerkiness and failures, especially neglected/early cars), 4B11 oil consumption and the alternator/accessory belt that can jump off and cost you power steering and the water pump. In late 2025 Mitsubishi Australia replaced the whole car with a rebadged Renault Captur (built in Spain) wearing the same ASX badge - a totally unrelated vehicle with a 1.3L turbo petrol and dual-clutch auto; treat the 2026-on car as a different beast (Renault running gear, no AWD, hybrids not sold here). Check the timing chain rattle on cold start, confirm CVT fluid history, and verify any Takata-era recall work on the relevant build dates.
Engines & variants
2.0L 4B11 petrol
Engine
2.0L DOHC 16v MIVEC naturally aspirated I4
Config
I4 NA
Displacement
1998cc
Power
110kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
197Nm @ 4200rpm
Drivetrain
FWD (early 2.0 AWD 2010-2015)
Economy
7.4-8.1 L/100km combined (claimed)
Tow (braked)
1300kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
5MT, CVT (INVECS-III, 6 stepped ratios)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (no scheduled replacement)
Pros
- Simple, well-understood Lancer-derived engine with cheap, plentiful parts
- Timing chain rather than belt - no periodic belt replacement
- Manual ES avoids the CVT entirely and is the most trouble-free combo
- Easy and cheap to service; huge owner/independent support
- Good fuel economy for a petrol small SUV
Cons
- Modest performance - genuinely slow loaded or up hills
- CVT (most cars) can be jerky and is the main failure point
- Oil consumption climbs on higher-km engines
- Cold-start timing chain rattle on neglected cars
- Accessory/alternator belt can jump off its pulleys
Known problems
high
CVT jerkiness, shudder and failure
The INVECS-III CVT (with six fixed stepped ratios) is the ASX's biggest weak point. Owners report jerky take-up, shudder, delayed response and whine under load, progressing to slipping or failure - more common on cars run with neglected or never-changed fluid, and worse on early (2011-2015) examples.
Fix: Use only the correct Mitsubishi CVT fluid and change it every ~60,000km (Mitsubishi's lifetime claim is optimistic). Pre-purchase: drive from cold, feel for shudder/hesitation, and ask for fluid-change records. Budget for a rebuilt/replacement unit on a tired car.
medium
Excessive engine oil consumption
Higher-km 4B11s can burn oil through tired piston rings/valve stem seals, needing regular top-ups; if ignored it accelerates wear and can starve the engine.
Fix: Monitor and top up between services; ring/valve-seal work or short-block for heavy consumers. Check oil level on inspection and look for blue smoke.
medium
Accessory drive belt jumps off pulleys
The serpentine/accessory belt that drives the water pump and power-steering pump can jump off its pulleys, leaving the car with no power steering and no coolant circulation - risking overheating if not noticed.
Fix: Replace belt and check tensioner/idler and pulley alignment; inspect belt condition at every service.
medium
Timing chain stretch / cold-start rattle
While chain-driven for life, neglected high-km 4B11s can develop chain stretch and a brief rattle on cold start from a worn tensioner/guides; left unattended it can cause timing issues.
Fix: Replace chain, tensioner and guides if rattle persists beyond the first second or two; keep oil changes regular to preserve the tensioner.
2.4L 4B12 petrol
Engine
2.4L DOHC 16v MIVEC naturally aspirated I4
Config
I4 NA
Displacement
2360cc
Power
123kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
222Nm @ 3600rpm
Drivetrain
FWD
Economy
7.9-8.5 L/100km combined (claimed)
Tow (braked)
1300kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
CVT (INVECS-III, 6 stepped ratios)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (no scheduled replacement)
Pros
- Noticeably more torque and easier to live with than the 2.0
- Same proven Mitsubishi 4B-series architecture, chain-driven
- Fitted to the better-equipped late GSR/Exceed grades
- Still simple and cheap to maintain
Cons
- CVT-only - inherits the same CVT failure risk as the 2.0
- Only on later (2019-2023) cars, so commands a price premium
- Thirstier than the 2.0 in town
- Still no AWD by this era
Known problems
high
CVT wear and shudder
Shares the INVECS-III CVT with the 2.0 and the same failure modes - shudder, jerkiness and eventual slipping, accelerated by the heavier engine and skipped fluid changes.
Fix: Correct Mitsubishi CVT fluid changed ~60,000km; test-drive from cold; replace/rebuild on a slipping unit.
medium
Engine oil consumption at higher km
Like the 4B11, the 4B12 can begin consuming oil as rings and valve seals age.
Fix: Monitor level, top up, and address rings/seals if consumption is heavy.
1.8L 4N13 DI-D turbo diesel
Engine
1.8L DOHC MIVEC common-rail turbo diesel I4 (DPF)
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
1798cc
Power
110kW @ 4000rpm
Torque
300Nm @ 2000-3000rpm
Drivetrain
On-demand AWD
Economy
5.9-6.5 L/100km combined (claimed)
Tow (braked)
1400kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6MT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Strong low-down torque (300Nm) and the best economy of the range
- Only ASX with proper AWD traction
- Manual-only, so no CVT to worry about
- Genuinely frugal on the highway
Cons
- Sold in small numbers 2010-2014, then dropped - hard to find, parts pricier
- DPF dislikes short stop-start trips - fuel dilution and clogging
- EGR carbon build-up over time
- Manual only; no auto diesel offered here
Known problems
high
DPF clogging and fuel dilution from short trips
Short stop-start running prevents the DPF reaching regeneration temperature; incomplete regens dump diesel into the sump (fuel dilution), thinning the oil and clogging the filter, leading to limp mode and possible engine damage if the oil level rises and is ignored.
Fix: Give it a 30+ minute highway run regularly to complete regens; monitor oil level (don't let it rise); manual/forced regen or DPF clean if blocked; change oil if diluted.
medium
EGR valve / intake carbon build-up
Soot accumulates in the EGR valve and intake, causing rough running, hesitation and fault codes - typical of small modern diesels used mostly in town.
Fix: EGR and intake clean; favour examples with highway history.
medium
Injector and turbo wear at higher km
Common-rail injectors and the turbo can wear at higher km, giving smoke, rough idle and lost power.
Fix: Diesel-specialist injector test/replacement; turbo service or replacement as needed.
1.3L turbo petrol (2026 Captur-based)
Engine
1.3L turbocharged direct-injection I4 (rebadged Renault Captur)
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
1333cc
Power
113kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
270Nm @ 1800rpm
Drivetrain
FWD
Economy
6.0-6.5 L/100km combined (claimed)
Tow (braked)
1200kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
7-speed dual-clutch (EDC/DCT)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (wet-belt on some RNM 1.3 TCe variants - verify by build)
Pros
- Far more modern and refined than the old first-gen ASX
- Turbo torque from low revs makes it the quickest ASX yet
- Dual-clutch auto replaces the old CVT
- Good economy from the small turbo engine
Cons
- Completely unrelated to the original ASX - it is a Renault Captur (Renault running gear, built in Spain)
- Dual-clutch autos can be jerky at low speed and have their own clutch/mechatronic risks
- Hybrid/PHEV versions sold in Europe are NOT offered in Australia
- No AWD; short track record in this badge - lean on Renault Captur reliability data
- Priced well above the old ASX (from ~$37k)
Known problems
medium
Dual-clutch (EDC) low-speed jerkiness / clutch wear
RNM-group dry/wet dual-clutch transmissions can shudder or hesitate at crawling speeds and, like all DCTs, can suffer clutch-pack or mechatronic wear. Too new in this badge for AU failure data - use Renault Captur/Megane EDC history as the guide.
Fix: Adhere to fluid/clutch service intervals; software updates; clutch or mechatronic replacement if it develops shudder or fault codes.
medium
1.3 TCe oil consumption / timing drive (model-dependent)
Some Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi 1.3 TCe applications have reported oil consumption and, on certain variants, wet-belt timing concerns. Verify the exact timing drive and any service campaigns for the AU build before buying used.
Fix: Monitor oil level between services; follow the maker's timing-drive replacement interval if a wet belt is fitted; check for any recalls/campaigns.
Common problems (all variants)
high
CVT fluid neglect (first-generation petrol cars)
Mitsubishi's 'lifetime' CVT fluid claim leads many owners to never change it; the fluid degrades, accelerating the shudder-and-fail pattern that defines the ASX. The single most important maintenance item on a used petrol ASX.
Fix: Change to correct Mitsubishi CVT fluid every ~60,000km; insist on a fluid-change history when buying.
high
Takata airbag inflator recall (relevant build dates)
Mitsubishi was part of the compulsory Australian Takata airbag recall. Certain early-build ASX inflators using phase-stabilised ammonium nitrate can rupture and fire metal fragments into the cabin in a crash.
Fix: Check the VIN on the Mitsubishi Australia recall page; rectification is free at any Mitsubishi dealer. Confirm completion before purchase.
low
Infotainment / touchscreen freezing and electrical glitches
Owners report the media/touchscreen unit freezing or rebooting (notably ~2019 cars) and assorted minor electrical gremlins (service-reminder light quirks, sensor faults).
Fix: Software update or head-unit replacement; diagnose individual electrical faults with a scan tool.
low
Suspension bushes / shocks and ride harshness
Worn shock absorbers and suspension bushes cause excess bouncing, swaying and clunks on bumpy roads on higher-km first-gen cars.
Fix: Replace shocks and bushes as a set; standard small-SUV running-gear maintenance.
low
Water ingress through door seals
Failed or poorly seated door seals can let water into the cabin, giving damp carpets and musty smells.
Fix: Reseal or replace door seals; dry and treat carpets; check for blocked drains.