Mitsubishi might be in dire straights here in the U.S., where flagging sales and brand recognition have taken their toll, paring its lineup to just four cars for 2013. Refreshingly, that trend changes for the 2014 roster; Mitsubishi is introducing a new model, a subcompact that resurrects the Mirage name last used on a U.S.-market production model in 2003. The Mirage is intended to be an entry-level subcompact, and newly released pricing and final fuel-economy figures solidify the little car’s price-leader mission.
The five-door Mirage starts at a palatable $13,790, and the most expensive model starts at a still-inexpensive $16,890. Most importantly, the Mirage’s base price undercuts competitors such as the Honda Fit, Chevrolet Sonic, and Ford Fiesta by at least $1000. The Mitsubishi, in fact, is the least expensive five-door subcompact on the market, coming in less than a Kia Rio5, Hyundai Accent, Nissan Versa Note, Toyota Yaris, and Mazda 2. To beat the point home, the Mirage can be had for only slightly more money than a stripped-out (smaller) Chevy Spark or micro Smart Fortwo. Mitsubishi is offering the Mirage in two trim levels—DE and ES—with either a five-speed manual or a CVT. Standard equipment includes automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, automatic headlights, tire-pressure monitor, and piano-black interior trim. We’ve outlined each trim level’s equipment below:
Mirage DE ($13,790) + $1000 for CVT
Mirage ES ($14,990) + $1000 for CVT; ES adds keyless entry with pushbutton starting, Bluetooth, steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 14-inch (!) aluminum wheels, fog lamps, and silver interior trim. Optional navigation system with backup camera ($900) can be paired only with the CVT.
- Photos and Info: 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage
- First Drive: 2014 Ford Fiesta 1.6L Sedan / Hatchback
- First Drive: 2014 Nissan Versa Note Hatchback
A loaded Mirage will set buyers back a tad less than $17,000, which is a lot less money than a well-optioned Fiesta, Fit, or Sonic. The car’s value proposition is made rosier by its astronomical EPA fuel-economy ratings of 37 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway for CVT-equipped models. (The five-speed nets a slightly lower 34/42 EPA figure.) The car’s efficiency can be partially credited to its tiny, 74-hp 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, which has precisely one fewer cylinder than every single competitive vehicle listed above—save for the oddball Smart Fortwo. We’re not about to make the claim that Mitsubishi could have a winner on its hands, but the Mirage could just draw a few penny pinching customers away from Honda and Ford. And that could just keep Mitsubishi hanging on for a little while longer.
Source: CarAndDriver
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