Mitsubishi ASX VR-e priced for New Zealand as Australian details await release

New Zealand prices put the Australian launch in focus

Mitsubishi’s electric ASX VR-e now has prices and full specifications for New Zealand, where the four-grade range is due in dealerships in December 2026. The Australian position is different: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has announced sales in both countries in 2026, but Mitsubishi Motors Australia has yet to announce a local price. The New Zealand prices therefore establish what buyers there will pay, not what the SUV will cost in Australia. ¹⁴²

GoAuto reported in August that the Australian launch is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, meaning October to December, with LS, Aspire, Exceed and GSR grades planned. CarExpert reported on 24 September that Australian pricing remained unannounced and that Mitsubishi Motors Australia chief executive Shunichi Kihara had said the VR-e would not be the cheapest option in its segment. Those comments describe the intended positioning, not a confirmed Australian starting price. ⁵²

Four New Zealand grades and their prices

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand lists recommended selling prices, excluding on-road costs, of NZ$57,990 for the rear-wheel-drive LS, NZ$63,990 for the rear-wheel-drive XLS and NZ$67,990 for the rear-wheel-drive Exceed. The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive GSR tops the range at NZ$72,990 plus on-road costs. The New Zealand subsidiary says all four models will reach its dealerships in December 2026; that dealership date does not specify when Australian deliveries will begin. ⁴

CarExpert reported on 24 September that, on the same New Zealand before-on-road-cost basis, the LS costs more than the entry-level Kia EV3 at NZ$55,520, the top-grade MG S5 EV at NZ$52,990 and the single-grade BYD Atto 3 at NZ$49,990. Those are New Zealand comparisons, not Australian price benchmarks. GoAuto separately reported in August that Australia will use the Aspire name where New Zealand uses XLS. ²⁵

New Zealand battery, range and performance

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand says every local ASX VR-e uses a 57.7kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. Its published WLTP driving ranges are up to 403km for the LS, 398km for the XLS, 380km for the Exceed and 328km for the GSR. The three rear-wheel-drive grades are rated at 171kW and 350Nm, with a stated 0–100km/h time of 6.8 seconds. The GSR’s second motor lifts the stated combined output to 342kW and 700Nm, and its claimed acceleration time is 3.9 seconds. ⁴

For the New Zealand range, Mitsubishi quotes DC charging at up to 134kW and an approximately 30-minute charge from 10 to 80 per cent under suitable conditions. It also specifies five regenerative-braking levels, a one-pedal mode and vehicle-to-load output of up to 3.6kW through an accessory adapter. These are manufacturer figures and equipment details for the New Zealand announcement, not independently measured results or final Australian specifications. ⁴

GoAuto reported in August that Australian battery, powertrain, range and charging specifications had not been announced at that point, and cautioned against treating figures for the related Foxtron Bria as confirmed for the Mitsubishi. CarExpert’s September account describes the New Zealand vehicle’s hardware and performance, but does not establish that every Australian grade will have the same drivetrain or rating. ⁵²

Cabin equipment and ownership provisions

Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand specifies a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 9.2-inch digital driver display across its range. From XLS upwards, listed equipment includes heated and ventilated front seats, powered front-seat adjustment, ambient lighting and a surround-view monitor. The Exceed and GSR add 20-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof, a hands-free power tailgate and a 12-speaker audio system. The company also lists a key-fob-operated remote parking function. ⁴

The ASX VR-e is set to introduce Mitsubishi Connect in New Zealand, with app functions including charge-status checks, cabin pre-conditioning and vehicle location. Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand says its local Diamond Advantage cover comprises a five-year/130,000km vehicle warranty, a 10-year/160,000km powertrain warranty and an eight-year/160,000km drive-battery warranty. Driven Car Guide also reports those New Zealand terms; they should not be read as Australian warranty conditions. ⁴³

A new electric SUV under an established badge

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation says Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, a subsidiary of Foxconn, will supply the ASX VR-e on an original-equipment-manufacturer basis for Australia and New Zealand. Mitsubishi says its engineers tested the vehicle on local roads and applied dedicated suspension tuning. The company identifies an S-duct and active grille shutters among its aerodynamic features; GoAuto reports that the vehicle is built in Taiwan and shares its underlying architecture with the Foxtron Bria. ¹⁵

For Australia, the VR-e marks Mitsubishi’s return to battery-electric passenger vehicles after the i-MiEV, according to both CarExpert and GoAuto. CarExpert reports that it will be sold alongside the unrelated petrol-powered ASX, rather than replacing it. Mitsubishi says the ASX name continues its established compact-SUV badge, while VR-e draws on the Galant VR-4 name. The shared name does not make the petrol ASX’s specifications applicable to this new electric model. ²⁵¹