The next ASX? Mitsubishi unveils XFC Concept crossover in Vietnam

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation unveiled on Oct. 19, 2022, its future contender to the hotly contested compact crossover segment.

The XFC Concept made its world premiere at a press event in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. The Japanese carmaker said the vehicle will also be displayed at the 2022 Vietnam Motor Show on Oct. 26 to 30, 2022.

Mitsubishi Motors president and CEO Takao Kato said in a speech that the production version is expected to go on sale in ASEAN markets as early as April 2023.

"In the future, we plan to add an electrified variant to the lineup and to also roll it out in regions outside ASEAN," Kato said. "We hope to grow the model from a vehicle for the ASEAN market to a global strategic vehicle, making it a core model like the sales-leading Xpander crossover MPV."

Mitsubishi's last compact crossover in the Philippines was the ASX. Based on the Mitsubishi Lancer EX, the ASX was in production until 2017 and used the Lancer's 2.0-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 engine.

The ASX nameplate continues today in other markets, with the next-generation model in Europe being sold as a rebadged Renault Captur crossover.

Chunky looks, lots of hexagons

The first thing that grabs you when you look at the XFC Concept is the elaborate headlights.

The boomerang-style main beams emphasize the high hoodline, while the array of five LED daytime running lights add drama to the front end.

The XFC Concept continues Mitsubishi's "Dynamic Shield" concept with the familiar trapezoidal grill that leads down to the dogbone-style lower fascia. The liberal use of hexagons is apparent in the grill inserts and the holes near the bottom of the bumper.

The large, turbine-style, five-spoke alloy wheels complement the rest of the XFC Concept's side profile. Aside from small fender flares, the high beltline is emphasized by the small windows and the large character line that makes the rear fenders pop out.

In addition, the hexagonal-design side steps add to the car's coke-bottle-like appearance.

The drama goes on out back, with the T-shaped taillights mimicking the design of the front lights. Meanwhile, the tailgate spoiler and the character line on the tailgate add character to what would normally be a dull, flat panel.

Finally, the hexagonal exhaust pipes stick out of the lower fascia, once again reflecting the design features up front.

Airy interior with splashes of yellow

Step inside the XFC Concept and you find a cabin dominated by whites and silvers. 

This, along with the teardrop-shaped moonroof, give the car a very light and airy feel. The dashboard has a neatly integrated digital display for the infotainment system and the gauge cluster. 

Meanwhile, the center console includes what appears to be a gear selector, displayed like a piece of sculpture on its own mantlepiece. The air-conditioning vents on the sides extend into the doors, which have hexagonal inserts.

The seats also stand out for having mustard-yellow upholstery on the headrest and the upper backrest.

The XFC Concept also comes with generous ground clearance and four driving models: Normal, Gravel, Mud and Wet. Mitsubishi Motors said the Wet Mode, which was introduced for the first time in the XFC Concept, was designed for ASEAN countries to enable safe driving on roads flooded by rain showers.

What do you think of the XFC Concept? Will it help put Mitsubishi back on the map for compact crossovers?