The Mitsubishi ASX is a family crossover that’s a little different from the norm, but still offers everything that SUV buyers are looking for.

It has the dimensions and driving experience of a hatchback combined with a high driving position, extra ruggedness and, in some cases, four-wheel drive, making it an appealing prospect for those who like full-sized SUVs but don’t necessarily want to spend the extra cash buying and running one.

The ASX takes a different approach to most of its rivals such as the Nissan Qashqai or SEAT Ateca. While those cars are more like scaled-up hatchbacks, the ASX claims to be more of a scaled-down SUV – giving it greater utility and an extra-rugged edge.

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The Mitsubishi ASX is quite an old vehicle now. It first went on sale in 2010, and since then has received two major facelifts, one in 2015 and one in 2019. Both brought bold new front-end styling, while the 2019 redesign also incorporated a fairly major interior redesign.

Just one engine choice

While the ASX has previously been available with a wider variety of engines, including two diesels which were our pick of the range, it’s now limited to just a sole petrol. The 2.0-litre unit doesn’t have a turbocharger, and as a result it requires quite some revs to get the best out of it.

Though it produces 150hp, it’s rather lacking in get-up-and-go. It can be paired to either a five-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, or a CVT automatic and four-wheel drive.

Dull interior

The ASX comes well equipped with sat-nav, heated seats and other luxury kit from the factory, but they can’t lift the interior ambiance. There’s no doubt in our minds the cabin is every bit as well made and solidly durable as Mitsubishi’s other SUVs. However, the ASX’s interior is little drab due to the extensive use of black or dark coloured materials that makes it all a bit too funereal compared to some of the ASX’s rivals.

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The mix of materials also don’t help here as they lend a uniformly dull look to the interior that leaves you feeling a little let down the designers didn’t try harder.

Though numerous updates have attempted to lift the interior, it’s still some way behind rivals. This is especially true of the 2019 facelift, which really highlighted the ASX’s cheap-feeling switchgear and scratchy materials compared with rivals such as the Skoda Karoq.

It’s very roomy, though, and there’s plenty of space for a family to stretch out. There’s also a lot to like about the raised-up driving position, which helps the ASX feel more like a full-sized SUV than a compact crossover.