Is the eK X EV electric kei vehicle, which Mitsubishi is launching in Australia, ready for local consumption?
The distinctive kei automobile from Japan hasn't made much of an impact on the Australian market just yet.
A little background: in Japan, tiny automobiles that cost a fraction of what a regular car would cost are categorized as kei cars. Miniature and inexpensive, kei vehicles might save you money on gas and auto insurance.
Although kei cars like the Daihatsu Copen, Suzuki Jimny, and Mitsubishi i-MiEV aren't often seen in Australia, you may recognize their names.
A zero-emissions electric vehicle (eK X EV, pronounced "eK cross" EV) will be available from Mitsubishi in 2024, after the launch of that final model in Japan.
Rumor has it that this tiny electric vehicle, which is also one of the most inexpensive on the market, combines elements of SUV styling with those of the compact, boxy, and tall kei car size class.
Mitsubishi Australia is contemplating bringing this one-of-a-kind opportunity Down Under as part of its ongoing effort to diversify its showroom lineup.
It is viewed as a “exciting opportunity” for Australia; but, worries regarding its safety remain a hurdle to its admission into Australia.
The automobile was developed largely for the Japanese market, which has differing safety criteria than Australia’s independent ANCAP body. It could be re-engineered for a five-star ANCAP score, albeit it would then push the asking price too high.
This is one of the internal fights Mitsubishi is presently evaluating in its evaluation for Australia.
But because Mitsubishi had a test vehicle in Australia, they asked Drive to take the one-of-a-kind vehicle on a spin throughout the country.
First and first, let me note out how little the eK X EV is. It’s around one meter shorter nose-to-tail than the Mitsubishi ASX compact SUV and closest in dimensions to a Kia Picanto — shorter and narrower, but somewhat higher. I’m 194cm tall for comparison and it seems incredibly little in my shadow.
The outward dimensions are dictated by the size-restrictions that regulate the kei category in Japan. Design-wise, the front end follows Mitsubishi’s famous Dynamic Shield style language. I can see a lot of the Mitsubishi Triton’s face in this vehicle, however translated in an odd tall boxy form.
I’ve heard contradictory thoughts from coworkers about its style — it seems like a love or hate affair – but tell me what you think about its appearance in the comments below.
In Japan, the top-spec eK X EV is priced around the $AU30,000 level which, if transferred over to Australia, would make it Australia’s most cheap electric vehicle – particularly compared to Chinese competitors such as the GWM Ora and BYD Dolphin.
But as for the eK X EV, it comes with a 20kWh battery that transfers power to a 47kW/195Nm motor located on the front axle. They’re tiny outputs in today’s day, but the eK X EV only weighs approximately 1100kg - incredibly light for an electric car.
With that in mind, the eK X EV is promised to drive 180km between charges. It also may provide vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-load capabilities to control power supply deficits.
At the time of writing a BYD Dolphin Dynamic begins at $38,890 including on-road charges, with a 70kW/180Nm engine, a 44.9kWh battery, and a claimed range of 410km.
Plugging the eK X into a wall socket, the little Mitsubishi will charge in around eight hours, or it’ll fast-charge to 80 per cent in just 40 minutes.
In the flesh, the space afforded within the cabin is a narrative best recounted in two parts. Below the window line, it’s a tight spot to store your legs – particularly up against the dash cut-out. You’re also sat shoulder-to-shoulder with your front seat passenger owing to not being separated by a central console.
To give you an idea, my arm span could touch the passenger-side door, which is clear since the vehicle is less than 1.5 meters wide.
However, what the eK X EV loses in breadth it more than makes up for in height. Head space is entirely fine, even for my head, and the driving posture is surprisingly comfy. The front seat bench is comfortable and the cloth is supple.
In terms of infotainment, it’s got a 9.0-inch touchscreen running Mitsubishi’s recognizable system — it also comes with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility – but the Mitsubishi system is uncomplicated to handle.
It’s fantastic to see the tech interface is like what you’d find in more costly models such as the Mitsubishi Outlander - the fact the brand’s been able to put that into this little, affordable vehicle is astounding.
Second-row accomodation isn’t as tight as you’d assume. Sitting behind my driving position, my legs were constrained in terms of knee space, but there was plenty of head room and more than enough room side-to-side (remember this model is a four-seater).
No question it’s petite outward and compact inside, but the small kei vehicle integrates into Australian traffic better than imagined.
With a single electric motor on the front axle that delivers 47kW and 195Nm, thrust from the motor is no-one’s notion of brisk. That latter torque level is accessible instantaneously as you push the accelerator and gives reasonable mobility from a standstill, but the eK X EV is not typical electric-car fast.
My time in the vehicle was spent with three people on board and, even with the additional weight, it didn’t suffer.
However, it is reasonably lightweight itself, so overtakes around trucks and automobiles in suburban Melbourne are quickly despatched and it’s light on its feet around tight corners. Being that the eK X EV is so tall, there’s an amount of unpleasant body roll, although at city speeds it’s unlikely to generate too much concern.
The Mitsubishi eK X EV isn’t bullied by hard roads or scraggly potholes — in fact, it absorbs these defects with a damped effect. But with its small track, you do have to make sure you slow down over speed humps or risk shooting your passengers aloft.
Being so tiny, the Mitsubishi does stray between lane markers easily. The steering is light, which makes it easy to maneuver, while sight is great because to its large glasshouse.
Stocking a 20kWh battery, Mitsubishi believes the eK X EV will go 180km on a full charge. But the range on our vehicle indicated roughly 140km with a 96 per cent charge — it’s doubtful real-world range would be near to that advertised amount.
It’s a small electric vehicle range by today’s standards, but perhaps enough to transport city-dwellers on the daily commute for at least a few days.
Australians have been screaming out for inexpensive electric cars, and Mitsubishi’s eK X EV seems as if it perfectly meets the bill.
There’s a reasonable amount of internal room, surprising practicality, and the driving experience stands up to Australia’s particular circumstances.
It won’t be to every buyer’s need, but for what it would cost, the Mitsubishi eK X EV would cover a gap in the inexpensive electric vehicle market.
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