Mitsubishi's electric ASX lands in December with up to 403km of range

Mitsubishi is bringing the all-electric ASX VR-e to New Zealand dealerships in December, giving the familiar small-SUV name a very different role. The new model is a battery EV developed with Foxtron and Pininfarina, and the local range will span three rear-drive grades and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive flagship.

Prices start at $57,990 plus on-road costs for the LS. The XLS is $63,990 and Exceed $67,990; both are rear-wheel drive. The GSR AWD sits at the top at $72,990. All four use a 57.7kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. Mitsubishi quotes WLTP range of up to 403km for the LS, 398km for XLS, 380km for Exceed and 328km for the more powerful GSR.

Rear-drive versions make 171kW and 350Nm. The GSR adds a second motor for 342kW and 700Nm, with Mitsubishi claiming a 0–100km/h time of 3.9 seconds. DC charging peaks at 134kW, and the brand estimates a 10–80 per cent charge in about 30 minutes in suitable conditions. Vehicle-to-load can provide up to 3.6kW for external equipment.

That gives the VR-e a useful mix of everyday SUV packaging and features aimed at Kiwi road trips and weekends away. The range also brings Mitsubishi Connect smartphone functions to the brand’s local line-up for the first time.

The headline range figures are laboratory WLTP results, not a promise of what every driver will achieve.

For now, the key question is how the VR-e’s four-grade spread, national dealer backing and equipment compare with the other electric compact SUVs available here.