Introduced in 2010 the ASX is Mitsubishi’s entry in the burgeoning compact SUV sector.

It’s not a bad-looking effort either, particularly from the front, and particularly if you’re a fan of Mitsubishi’s corporate look. The headlights and grille - stretched a little to fill a bigger face - is unmistakably Mitsubishi while deep creases along the sides add emphasis to the rising windowline. Pronounced wheel arches add a little drama but I couldn’t help but feel it would have benefited from bigger rims. The 17in wheels fitted to my car looked a little out of place.

The ASX shares its platform with the Outlander and, consequently, boasts good interior space and short overhangs for a wheel-at-each-corner look.

Despite appearances to the contrary, and something that becomes even harder to believe once inside, the ASX is actually shorter and narrower than a Ford Focus.

There are three models to choose from - the 2, 3 and 4 and yes, it really is that simple, although what happened to 1 is anyone’s guess - with the ASX 4 perched at the top of the range.

Leather seats (electrically adjustable on the driver’s side), bluetooth, sat nav, xenon headlights and a panoramic glass roof are among the items included on an impressive list of standard equipment.

Visibility is excellent, with the high seating position providing occupants with an excellent view of the road. The panoramic roof floods the cabin with natural light - except at night, of course - and gives a greater feeling of space than would otherwise be the case.

The stereo/sat nav is an off-the-shelf Kenwood unit and, although my phone connected seamlessly over bluetooth for voice calls, try as I might I just wasn’t able to stream music from my phone. I have a Nokia 1520 so it may be that the streaming issue might be Windows Phone related or, just as likely, down to my own ineptitude.

There are remarkably few buttons on the dashboard with just three dials controlling the air con adorning the centre console. Audio, sat nav and bluetooth settings are accessed via the Kenwood unit’s touchscreen. Initially I felt a bit hard done by, with so few buttons to play with, but it wasn’t long before I started to appreciate the dash’s minimalism.

However, the UI on the multi information display, situated between the rev counter and speedometer, could have been a little cleaner.

Head and legroom in the back is good but, while there is accommodation for a fifth passenger it’s a bit of a squeeze. The leather seats offer plenty of support under-thigh but, and as regular readers will know this is a big but, there’s very little lumbar support which, for me at least, meant that longer journeys weren’t as comfortable as I would have hoped.

Although the 2.2-litre diesel is unlikely to start any spines tingling it is a competent performer and fuel economy and emissions are on a par with other manufacturers’ offerings in this sector.

The smooth six-speed auto ensures progress is relaxed, if unspectacular. There are three options for the four-wheel drive system: Off, which sends drive to the front wheels only, full-time and auto.

Noise suppression isn’t quite up there with the best in class but it’s never necessary to raise your voice to have a conversation.

It’s a surprisingly nimble car, though the steering can feel a little light, and responds well to being challenged. Grip levels allow you to carry good speed through corners while the suspension does a respectable job of controlling body roll.

The dampers do a good job of coping with British roads, it’s not carpet-of-air territory, but all but the worst of bumps, lumps and potholes are dispatched with the minimum of fuss. There is a little suspension thump when the going gets particularly rough but it’s infrequent enough to not be a major issue.

There’s room in the boot for 442 litres of your luggage in the boot, rising to 1,193 with the seats folded flat, which is some way short of the class-leading capacities but, surprisingly, better than the top-selling Qashqai.

The ASX, with its EVO X-inspired looks, is a worthy if unspectacular entry in the competitive crossover market. It is comfortable, economical, equipment levels are good and it’s built to last. I had a lot more fun driving it than I expected and the minimalist cabin, although a tad noisier than some of its rivals, was a pleasant place to be. There’s scope for improvement, of course, but as a package, it’s hard to find a compelling argument why the ASX shouldn’t be on your shopping list.

ASX 4 2.2 Diesel 4WD AUTO

Price: £24,649

Engine: 2.2-litre 16-valve four-cylinder, DOHC, turbocharged diesel

Transmission: Six-speed automatic driving all four wheels

Acceleration: (0-62mph): 10.8sec

Top speed: 118mph

Urban: 39.8mpg

Extra urban: 55.4mpg

Combined: 48.7mpg

Emissions CO2: 153g/km

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