Why Driving The Mitsubishi ASX Means I Finally Get The Whole Crossover Thing

I must admit, I never really got the whole crossover thing. Why bother with something that's little more than a jacked up hatchback when you can buy, well, an actual hatchback for less?

With that in mind, I wasn't expecting to be blown away by Mitsubishi's updated ASX crossover. But after spending a day with the car, I quickly realised that my initial premise was premature.

Slipping behind the wheel of the range-topping ASX at Mitsubishi's Cotswolds launch, I was presented with a well screwed-together leather interior and the standard high driving position that seems to make crossover-philes go weak at the knees. It's a pleasant place to be despite the crummy off-the-shelf sat-nav unit, especially when you're being a wuss and cowering from a miserable winter day as I was.

The 2.2-litre diesel auto has a decent amount of punch with 147bhp and 266lb/ft of torque, and feels quicker than the 10.8 second 0-62mph time suggests. It's also cheaper and more economical than the equivalent Nissan Cashcow. Sorry, Qashqai...

But it's when you start to throw the ASX around a bit that it really begins to impress. The car corners confidently with an impressively low amount of body roll considering the high ground clearance. Then, when you decide to chill out and maintain cruising altitude, the diesel's economy proves to be lighter on your wallet than you'd expect.

Despite this though, the ASX isn't exactly a scintillating steer. You soon find yourself ignoring the hesitant steering column-mounted paddle shift gear change - which feels needless in this car - knocking it back into auto mode, and driving round at a more relaxed pace. It's really not a driver's car; if you want that from a crossover, something like the Nismo Juke is a better bet.

Regardless, as much as I like a blast along a good bit of road, sometimes you just want to get to your destination in comfort with as little hassle as possible. And that's something the ASX, particularly in auto flavour, is perfect for. Having that high driving position makes more difference than you might think; it gives you a confident and assured feeling you don't get in a hatchback. It's just that in the ASX, there isn't a more exciting side for when you are in the mood.

If you're still not convinced about this crossover phenomenon, consider this: given the popularity of crossovers, it's now financial suicide for car companies to not make one. With that in mind, the likes of Porsche and Jaguar getting involved in this part of the market is a good thing: it'll make the companies a truck load of money, enabling them to keep building the cars we love. And you never know; if, like me, you give a crossover a go, you may well like it more than you might expect.