2027 Mitsubishi ASX VR-e Price and Specs: New Electric SUV Won't Be a Budget Offering

Mitsubishi is preparing to launch its first battery-electric vehicle in Australia in over a decade, but the brand has warned buyers not to expect budget-basement pricing.

Co-developed with Italian design house Pininfarina, the new model began life as the Foxtron Bria, but has undergone dedicated suspension tuning by Mitsubishi Australia to suit local roads.

Rather than competing on price alone against aggressively priced Chinese rivals like the BYD Atto 2, MG 4, and Leapmotor B03X, Mitsubishi is banking on local engineering input and an extensive 10-year aftersales warranty program to justify a premium market position.

Pricing Strategy and Market Positioning

Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO Shunichi Kihara confirmed the ASX VR-e range will not be the cheapest option in the small EV segment. "We want to put Mitsubishi Motors-ness around the product, including the customer experience, and then we want customers to choose our product because of the value, again compared to the price we put on the product," Kihara stated.

While Australian pricing is yet to be finalized, New Zealand pricing provides a clear indication of where the model will sit. Across the Tasman, the entry-level LS starts at NZ$57,990 (approximately A$46,800), stretching to NZ$72,990 (approximately A$58,900) for the flagship GSR. This suggests an Australian starting price likely exceeding the $40,000 threshold, placing it above the base offerings from MG and BYD.

Powertrain, Charging, and Real-World Range Logic

The ASX VR-e will be offered in four trims for Australia: LS, Aspire, Exceed, and the high-performance GSR. The "VR-e" moniker pays homage to Mitsubishi's high-performance Galant VR-4 sports sedan from the early 1990s.

Every model is equipped with a 57.7kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, capable of receiving DC fast charging at up to 134kW.

The LS, Aspire, and Exceed grades utilize a single rear-mounted electric motor delivering 171kW and 350Nm of torque, yielding a claimed 0–100km/h sprint in 6.8 seconds. Under the strict WLTP testing cycle, these rear-wheel-drive variants offer between 380km and 403km of driving range (notably lower than the lenient 516km NEDC claims from Taiwan).

The flagship GSR upgrades to a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain churning out a massive 342kW and 700Nm. This propels the small SUV to 100km/h in a rapid 3.9 seconds, though the extra performance drops the WLTP range down to 328km.

Powertrain and Dimension Specifications

Aerodynamics and Cabin Technology

Measuring 4,315mm in length on a long 2,800mm wheelbase, the ASX VR-e maximizes its footprint for cabin space. It brings aggressive aerodynamic features to optimize its 57.7kWh battery capacity, achieving a drag coefficient of 0.26. Design elements include active grille shutters, air curtains, and an 'S-Duct' front-end design that channels air efficiently over the bonnet.

Inside the cabin, the dashboard is dominated by a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster.

Available Equipment Highlights (Grade distribution TBA):

• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Customizable ambient interior lighting
• Panoramic glass roof

2027 Mitsubishi ASX VR-e Australian Pricing

Mitsubishi Motors Australia has not yet confirmed official dollar pricing for the ASX VR-e range.

(Note: The electric ASX VR-e will be sold alongside the existing, unrelated petrol-powered ASX small SUV in Australian showrooms.)