It’s not a bad car – it’s just not going to rock your world either. Reliable, roomy, no-nonsense – the Mitsubishi ASX otherwise lacks character and looks a bit dull.

For a more head-turning design, buyers will probably opt for the Nissan Qashqai (why can’t I spell that correctly first time?), or the rather excellent Mazda CX-5.

I feel the 2.2 diesel is now long in the tooth and could be replaced by something more lively and economical. The interior is rather tired too.

Sure, it comfortable and the seats are excellent but the ASX also feels light and rather flighty along a potholed A-road.

There are plenty of options in this marketplace. The ASX might work for you but shop around first.

I can’t say there’s much wrong with the ASX but this being a blog about stylish motors, I wonder if the Mitsubishi makes the cut as a desirable car?

Our test vehicle is painted a smart metallic blue, which helps, but parked in Waitrose car park, it still manages to blend in perfectly with every other crossover in Cirencester.

I’m not a big fan of the Nissan Qashqai, Renault Kadjar, or the pig-ugly Skoda Yeti either. I tend to think if you have to own a car like this (with occasional four-wheel-drive, butch looks, big boot) then the cheaper the better. SsangYong Tivoli anyone?

SUVs are where the motor industry is heading right now. I fear I may be stuck in the past a bit longer…

There’s a rather basic problem with the standard six-speed automatic gearbox on our top spec ASX.

It’s smooth enough between changes but the gear stick can be easily knocked into the wrong position. Rather than standard ‘drive’, the handle can be knocked into ‘manual’ change – with causes the engine to over rev.

The gate between the two positions is so easy to miss that embarrassing garchanges are never far away. It’s a very odd problem – not one I’ve experienced before.

Otherwise, the 2.2 diesel trundles along at unremarkable speeds without the slightest grumble. Only you will be cursing if you leave he stick in the wrong position…

I blame Land Rover. I’m sure it was them who first came up with the idea of ‘mood’ lighting in the Range Rover.

All the great innovations we see in posh cars finally filter down the food chain. And so it is with the latest version of the Mitsubishi ASX.

Press the key fob at night and the SUV turns the air blue inside! It’s quite startling the first time – I’ve never seen anything quite so in your face for mood lighting.

And that’s not all. Open the panoramic sunroof and a strip of yellow lights illuminate down both sides of the glass hatch.

A little bling perhaps? Well, it does give the ASX some personality – provided you are in the right mood, of course…

I’ve just been writing about James Bond. If Daniel Craig is going to take the part for the 2018 film, he will reputedly be tens of millions of pounds better off.

Being the best paid and most recognized spy in the business is a problem for secret service types. In fact, I reckon he’d be useless anywhere other than outer Mongolia (actually, having been there, he’d be chased by photographers too).

And choosing a discreet set of wheels would be very difficult. Which is where a Mitsubishi ASX might come in useful.

As any celeb will tell you, the best way to avoid photographer’s lenses and prying eyes is to drive a Ford Fiesta, or erm, a Skoda. I mean, who would imagine a ‘name’ driving one of those?

Day one with the Mitsubishi and I can guarantee nobody is going to give you a second look. There’s nothing wrong with the styling – it’s just one of those cars which is so totally unremarkable in the metal that you would pass it by even if Beyonce was stripping off on the back seat…

She doesn’t live round here but tempting to put it to the test myself…