Mitsubishi ASX vs Hyundai ix35


Since 2006 most new entrants to the SUV, 4x4 sector have been Crossovers. Crossovers are built like cars on car platforms where older SUVs were little more than an estate car styled body on a truck platform. Crossovers benefit from having car like features for performance, versatility, comfort, economy and safety.


The Ford Kuga based on a Focus platform and the VW Tiguan based on a Golf platform have positioned their products against the best selling Freelander, RAV4 and CR-V with £20,000 plus price ranges.


Only the Nissan Qashqai built on a Megane platform was positioned as an interesting alternative to a family hatch with a price range well under £20,000. It was joined by the Skoda Yeti and more recently the Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi ASX.


All five of these Crossovers are a very similar size with slightly different load spaces. The Yeti is the most compact with the largest maximum load space. If you compare their entry level engines they rank closely for fuel consumption, emissions, speed and acceleration so there may not be too much difference on the road.


The main feature is all are priced as viable alternatives to hatchbacks like the Focus, Astra and Golf.


Car comparisons between the Mitsubishi ASX vs Hyundai ix35 is a guide to the differences and similarities in the value for money Crossover sector.


At £15999 the ASX enters the market at less than the ix35s £16605. The ASX at 4.3m long is shorter than the ix35 at 4.41m. The ix35 591/1436(l) minimum/maximum load space is more than the ASX 442/1193(l).


Both enter the market with a 2WD 1.6 petrol engine. The ix35 has a 1.7 diesel 2WD option or a 2.0 diesel 2WD or 4WD. The ASX has a 1.8 diesel 2WD or 4WD. As we'll see they have similar efficiency.

The ASX 1.6 2WD returns a combined 47.9 mpg, 135 CO2s, 113 max speed, 11.4 seconds 0 to 62 mph.
The ix351.6 2WD returns a combined 44.1 mpg, 149 CO2s, 111max speed, 11.1 seconds 0 to 62 mph.
These lab figures are so closely ranked it may mean little if anything in real driving conditions. The ASX has the edge on combined mpg and a slightly cheaper VED cost.

The ASX 1.8 diesel 2WD returns a combined 51.4mpg, 145 CO2s, 124 max speed, 9.7 seconds 0 to 62 mph.
The ix35 2.0 diesel 2WD returns a combined 51.4 mpg, 147 CO2s, 113 max speed, 10.8 seconds 0 to 62 mph.

Again they rank very closely with the ASX having slightly better performance. It's the same story for the 4WD drive options.

It's worth noting diesel options cost more to buy. The saving you make on fuel consumption will take tens of thousands of miles to recover the added cost new. So the petrol option is viable. Personally I'd only consider the diesel options for their performance characteristics.

The good thing about cars being similar in size and efficiency is you can simply buy the car and price you like without worrying about performance, versatility, and economy. If you like the look of a car in this class and you feel it's comfortable plus the price is right then you can buy with your heart, not your head. It may sound sensible to buy with your head but over four decades I've tested charts to find the best car. The problem is I never got a result I liked. So I think if you like a car in this class - go for it.

Certainly all the above brands have great reputations for customer satisfaction. If one fits your purpose, purse and personal tastes it's got your name written on it.

Regards
Ralph