DE 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
DE 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
Rockford Fosgate Edition 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
DE 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M)
DE 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
DE 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
DE 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
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Find all cars near me?ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M)
DE 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
DE 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
Rockford Fosgate Edition 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
Rockford Fosgate Edition 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
DE 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M)
Overall Rating
The Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the newest entrants in the subcompact hatchback segment which seems to tick all the right boxes that are expected from a car of this segment.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the newest entrants in the subcompact hatchback segment which seems to tick all the right boxes that are expected from a car of this segment. It is affordable to buy, affordable to fill up the gas, and has high efficiency. And that’s not all, the Mirage also offers a healthy list of standard features while the extended warranty coverage sweetens the deal even further.
The higher ES trim does add a few more features to the mix at only a small amount of extra money, but considering the low-cost nature of buyers and the long list of standard features, the DE trim is expected to be the best seller for this car.
DE 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
DE 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
DE 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl 5M)
The Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the newest entrants in the subcompact hatchback segment which seems to tick all the right boxes that are expected from a car of this segment.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the newest entrants in the subcompact hatchback segment which seems to tick all the right boxes that are expected from a car of this segment. It is affordable to buy, affordable to fill up the gas, and has high efficiency. And that’s not all, the Mirage also offers a healthy list of standard features while the extended warranty coverage sweetens the deal even further.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is offered in only two trims with either a manual or a CVT automatic to choose from with each of the trims. The base DE trim gets a ton of features which include an automatic climate control system that makes the car an exciting prospect. The higher ES trim adds a bit more features and comfort while also not costing that much more.
Trims |
DE |
ES |
---|---|---|
MSRP (Man) |
$13,805 |
$15,005 |
MSRP (CVT) |
$14,805 |
$16,005 |
Key Features |
1.2L, 74 hp inline-3 engine |
DE trim plus; |
Front And Rear Head Airbags w/Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags |
Cruise Control |
|
4-speaker audio system |
Keyless Ignition |
|
Automatic Climate Control |
Leather Steering Wheel and Shift Knob |
|
Heated Mirrors |
14-inch Alloy Wheels |
|
Cloth Upholstery |
Premium Cloth Upholstery |
|
Remote Keyless Power Door Locks |
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The higher ES trim does add a few more features to the mix at only a small amount of extra money, but considering the low-cost nature of buyers and the long list of standard features, the DE trim is expected to be the best seller for this car.
The performance from the tiny 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine is pretty peppy in city driving conditions even with the 74 hp and 74 lb-ft of output. The engine is mated to either a 5-speed manual or a CVT automatic transmission, while the power is sent only to the front wheels.
The acceleration is obviously not the quickest in the compact car world, but nobody buys a compact hatchback for its breathtaking acceleration timings.
Model |
Mitsubishi Mirage DE |
Chevrolet Spark LS |
Mazda 2 Sport |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$13,805 |
$12,995 |
$15,515 |
Engine |
1.2L, Naturally Aspirated Inline-3 |
1.2L, Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 |
1.5L, Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 |
Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
Transmission |
5-speed manual |
5-speed manual |
5-speed manual |
Power |
74 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
84 hp @ 6,400 rpm |
100 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
Torque |
74 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
83 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm |
98 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
0-60 mph (sec) |
12.1 |
12.1 |
10.5 |
Quarter-mile (sec) |
18.8 |
18.6 |
18.1 |
Top Speed (mph) |
106 |
108 |
114 |
The Chevrolet Spark is more affordable than the Mirage and despite having higher engine output, the acceleration timings are pretty similar for both cars. The Mazda 2 on the other hand is the pricier one of the lot but also has a much more powerful engine which results in quicker off-the-line acceleration.
The frugality of these compact hatchbacks is one of the major decisive factors for most buyers when opting for one, and the Mirage is one of the best in this regard. The EPA rates the 2014 Mirage for 34 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway, with combined city and highway rated at a whopping 37 mpg. Even with the smaller 9.2-gallon fuel tank, it does exceedingly well to offer over 300 miles of driving on a single tank of gas.
Model |
Mitsubishi Mirage |
Chevrolet Spark |
Mazda 2 |
---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
34 |
31 |
29 |
MPG (Highway) |
42 |
39 |
35 |
MPG (Combined) |
37 |
34 |
32 |
Fuel Capacity (gal) |
9.2 |
9.2 |
11.3 |
Range (City / Highway / Combined) (miles) |
313 / 386 / 340 |
285 / 359 / 313 |
328 / 396 / 362 |
The Mazda 2 is the oldest car in this comparison and hence has the lowest fuel efficiency figures, but it employs a much larger gas tank that helps it provide a longer driving range than the Mirage. The Chevy Spark has an identical fuel tank capacity as that of the Mirage but isn’t as efficient, which translates to more frequent gas station visits.
The Mirage is a low-cost high-value car and hence expecting high-quality materials is futile. That being said, the build quality is good even with the hard plastics.
The lack of telescopic adjusts for the steering wheel and the missing armrest which isn’t available as an option does affect the comfort levels on long drives. The front seat has adequate space while the rear space is decent for its size, but the cargo capacity is amongst the best in the business.
Model |
Mitsubishi Mirage |
Chevrolet Spark |
Mazda 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
4 |
5 |
Front Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
39.1 / 51.7 / 41.7 |
39.4 / 50.7 / 42.0 |
39.1 / 52.8 / 42.6 |
Rear Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
37.3 / 51.0 / 34.0 |
37.3 / 49.7 / 35.2 |
37.0 / 51.2 / 33.0 |
Cargo Capacity with Rear Seat Upright (cu-ft) |
17.2 |
11.4 |
13.3 |
Cargo Capacity with Rear Seat Folded (cu-ft) |
47.0 |
31.2 |
27.8 |
The Chevrolet Spark has more spacious seating at the rear but has to compromise on the luggage carrying capacity. The Mazda 2 on the other hand lacks space in all the aspects as it has the most cramped rear seat and the maximum cargo capacity with the rear seat folded is almost half as that of the Mirage.Â
The new Mitsubishi Mirage also does not really score well in terms of technology and that is kind of expected when buying a budget-oriented car.
The controls although are easily accessible and easy to control when using them on the move. Although, the inclusion of Satellite Radio at least as an option would have made things better.Â
Similar to the cabin of the Mirage, the exterior styling is also pretty uninspiring. The styling is pretty minimalistic with everything designed in a way to keep the weight low to achieve maximum efficiency. The smaller wheels also do their job in this regard. Though the Mirage is in no way ugly looking at all, just keeps things simple and efficient.
Model |
Mitsubishi Mirage |
Chevrolet Spark |
Mazda 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
1,973 |
2,269 |
2,306 |
Length (in) |
148.8 |
144.7 |
155.5 |
Width (in) |
65.6 |
62.9 |
66.7 |
Height (in) |
59.1 |
61.0 |
58.1 |
Ground Clearance (in) |
6.3 |
6.7 |
5.1 |
Wheelbase (in) |
96.5 |
93.5 |
98.0 |
The Chevy Spark is obviously the most compact car in here while the Mazda 2 is the largest and the heaviest. The Mirage does well to keep the weight low and also offers a decent ground clearance which is clearly missed with the Mazda 2. The Mirage is also wider than the Spark which makes the cabin a tad bit more comfortable for its occupants.
Being a fresh new product in the market, the NHTSA is yet to crash-test the new Mitsubishi Mirage. But it does score well in the crash tests conducted by the IIHS. Again, considering the low-cost nature of the car, there are not many safety features and driver aids on offer, and only get the mandated ones as standard.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is all set to become one of the strongest contenders in the compact hatch segment and most of it has to do with the superior fuel efficiency that is unmatched in the segment. The lack of technology and the missing cabin features do spoil the experience a bit, but it isn’t a deal-breaker in any which way.