Driving Mitsubishi’s evergreen small SUV today – the ASX, not the latest small
SUV but outstanding value, long standing and well tried and tested and best
value in the second tier ES grade backed up by a 10-year/200,000km warranty as
long as it’s serviced by a Mitsubishi dealer. But how does it drive – the ASX ES
automatic at just under $30,000 drive-away powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder
driving the front wheels through a CVT automatic. Step into the cabin and it feels
a little dated, very comfortable and practical with great seats but there’s no smart
key or wireless phone charger, but thankfully, it has dials for the climate control
air-con, radio tuning and volume as distinct to the frustrating and distractive
menus on a touch screen. The drive experience also shows its age – the engine
no fire breather and under load, the noise vibration and harshness levels are
such that it feels a little unrefined. No problems with economy however, 8.0L/100
on 91 grade petrol while it exhibits good steering feel and a pleasant ride. A new
Mitsubishi ASX SUV is due in November, a rebranded Renault Capture, although
Mitsubishi has indicated it will not be as affordable as the current model. I’m
David Berthon

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Talking about Mitsubishi’s small ASX SUV today – the ASX has been around for a
long time – first surfacing in 2010 but updated visually three times since. Sharply
priced it remains our fourth best-selling small SUV, strongly recognised for its
value story and a 10-year warranty. A roomy small SUV in seven front wheel
drive grades from $26,240 drive-away for the entry manual GS – I drove the next
grade up, the ES automatic, the best seller and frankly the one to own at $29,740
drive-away. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder driving through a CVT or continuously
variable automatic. This year the ES gained lane departure warning for the first
time, but it lacks rear cross traffic alert and autonomous emergency braking.
Features include a rear-view camera, climate control aircon, rear parking sensors,
rain sensing wipers and air-con ducts to the rear seats. The Mitsubishi ASX ES
competes in a super competitive small SUV segment – not the latest design but
this trusty small SUV with great interior room has been kept competitive with
small tweaks along the way. For a small family in today’s cost-conscious world, it
has one outstanding feature – a 10-year/200,000 km warranty if you keep it
serviced by a Mitsubishi dealer. Drive details next segment. I’m David Berthon

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We already have the luxury General Motors built Cadillac Lyric SUV and it
will be joined next month by GMC’s Yukon Denali luxury 8-seat SUV. The
full-size GMC Yukon Denali offers class defining pulling power in the form
of a 6.2-litre EcoTec 3 V8 engine with a healthy 624Nm of torque linked to a
10-speed automatic. While its official braked towing capacity is rated at
3,628 kilos, the highest braked towing capacity of any SUV on sale in
Australia. Fitted with what called an active response 4WD system the GMC
Yukon Denali is listed to sell at $174,990 and is loaded with comfort and
convenience features putting it firmly in the luxury class. Responsibility for
selling the Yukon Denali rests with General Motors Special Vehicle dealer
network who already handles the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and
Corvette sports car. I’m David Berthon

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Congratulations are due to young Australian driver Oscar Piastri. The
Melbourne born 24-year-old has shot to the top of the Formula One world
championship points score after winning his third grand prix of the season
in Saudi Arabia last weekend. Starting from second on the grid and beating
pole sitter Max Verstappen to the first corner. Quite simply, Oscar is a class
act and a wonderful ambassador for Australia in the pinnacle of world
motor sport - the first Australian to lead the points in 15 years. As he says,
“leading the championship is a result of all the hard work we’ve done in the
off-season, the hard work I’ve done personally and the hard work the team
has done. I’m more proud of all those things than I am of the fact that I’m
leading the championship, because ultimately, I want to be leading it after
round 24, not round five.” I’m David Berthon

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Nissan has freshened its small Qashqai SUV range for 2025 adding a new e-
Power hybrid N-Design flagship at around $60,000 drive-away – hybrid power now
available on the two top spec Qashqai’s, petrol power on the lower grades. The
1.3-litre turbo petrol power on the four lower grades replaced on the hybrids by a variable
compression 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo – and here the e-Power works differently
to a conventional hybrid – the petrol engine purely powers a generator connected to a
2.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack – only the e-motor drives the front wheels. The drive
experience is much like a pure electric SUV although at times you hear the petrol motor
fire up to charge the battery. I’ve always highly regarded the Qashqai and this new e-
Power N-Design further impressed with over a 900km range and a nice drive experience
although the larger 20-inch alloy wheels and quality Michelin tyres can display a firmer
ride. The Qashqai e-Power N-Design price is high, but this is a very well sorted small SUV with premium features and well sorted active safety prompts. Nissan making it more
attractive by trimming previous high service costs and adding a 10-year/300,000km
warranty including the battery provided its serviced by a Nissan dealer. I’m David
Berthon

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Nissan’s small Qashqai SUV has been freshened for 2025 in a re-aligned model range
with a new N-Design grade flagship with hybrid power standard – the Qashqai e-Power
hybrid N-Design around $60,000 drive-away. Nissan have added new technology and
equipment, freshened the styling, at the same time cutting the previous rather high
servicing costs and providing a longer warranty – but hybrid pricing remains high
compared to petrol Qashqai models. However, the e-Power N-Design is packed with
premium features – leather seats with massage function, a panoramic glass roof, 20-inch
alloy wheels, a power tailgate and a most impressive digital dash and touchscreen,
thankfully with a mix of buttons The 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo in the petrol models
replaced by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo – and here the e-Power works
differently to a conventional hybrid – the petrol engine purely powers a generator
connected to a 2.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack – only the e-motor drives the front wheels
– this hybrid system adds around 200 kilos over a conventional petrol Qashqai but it
offers over a 900km driving range. Despite the e-Power hybrids exalted price tag the
drive experience is very rewarding. Warranty including battery five-years unlimited km or
an impressive 10-years/300,000km if serviced by a Nissan dealer. I’m David Berthon

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Chinese brand Chery re-emerged on the Australian market in 2023, having
left in 2015 after sales tanked due to poor safety ratings. However, the
brands reemergence brought positive results firstly with the Omoda 5 SUV
and more recently with the Tiggo 4, 7 and 8 SUVs. Chery sales jumped in
the first quarter this year by 114 percent to 12,603, with the small 1.5-litre
turbo petrol Tiggo 4 Pro now representing 55 per cent of sales. Launched
six months ago it’s just gained a minor facelift with a restyled rear, new
alloy wheels and the word Pro thankfully dropped from its name – the value
packed Chery Tiggo 4 Urban at $23,990 drive-away gains front parking
sensors and six speaker sound in lieu of four, the higher grade Tiggo 4
Ultimate also gaining wireless phone charging and multi-colour ambient
lighting. I’m David Berthon

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Kia Australia this week launched their most affordable electric SUV in the
form of the EV3, mimicking their midsize EV5 and larger EV9 models. The
EV3 in three front wheel drive grades Air, Earth and GT-line, the Air with a
choice of standard and long-range batteries, the Earth and GT-Line only
long range. Priced from $47,600 and ranging to $63,950 the EV3 claimed to
offer a driving range from 436km to 604km depending on model. Kia
confirming a comprehensive range of active and passive safety technology
which its Product Planning Manager suggests, may be frustrating to live
with but adding if customers want a five-star ANCAP safety rated vehicle,
these elements must be included under regulatory protocols. They can be
turned off each time you start the vehicle but they must default on to
satisfy regulations. I’m David Berthon

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