A fair review by keeping your parameters set to the cars intended purpose. Thanks for not hating on Mitsu. I had one a long time ago and have always had a soft spot for them.
One thing is for certain, these cars are selling...They set a first year goal of 7,000 units. They have exceeded this goal with 5 months to go....they are going to double their initial sales forecast! People love cheap, reliable wheels.
Thanks for a legitimate, well balanced review. It never ceases to amaze me how many reviewers in other markets praise the Mirage or how many owners come to its defense when criticized. This just makes all the “pros” seem like a bunch of whiny & spoiled brats. Which... many are. After reading others opinions here, “intended purpose” is the key phrase to remember. It’s not a Mustang, a Lexus or a Navigator. My job is relatively lucrative BECAUSE I drive a fuel efficient vehicle. Why is that so difficult for these bozos to understand? Not everyone lives five minutes from work. Nor does everyone want a land yacht, especially if you do all your own maintenance. The bigger everything is, the heavier everything is. And typically, the more complex a vehicle is, the less reliable & expensive it is to maintain. Common sense clearly doesn’t come into play when these reviewers slam the Mirage.
One thing I noticed is that a lot of reviewers of compacts and subcompacts completely forget that they didn't accidentally shrink a larger car in the wash. It's meant to be that small, and shouldn't be put up to the purposes a larger car would face.. people won't buy it for those reasons! This review takes it into account better. Thank you for that.
This is actually the ES version, which is available with the 5-speed manual as well as the CVT, and comes with the alloy wheels, fog lights, pushbutton start, and cruise control shown here. The base DE version comes with plastic wheel covers and lacks those frills, but it does still have power windows/locks/mirrors.
I still can't believe the base model comes with both power locks and windows. My base Chevy Spark has only power windows with manual door locks and mirrors.
Trance88 i had a spark as a rental for a week last year, was top o the line version, funky looking (pink one) but got 35mpg city in sub freezing temps. almost bought a spark, i have an '08 smart which sucks in snow, but gets 50mpgs all summer.
Well done! I drove a 1.0 liter Vauxhall Corsa in Scotland in 1998 and have been with small, engaging to drive cars ever since. Thank you for not bashing on subcompacts. They have a place in the American market for sure and kudos to your commentary on the audio pleasure of driving an in-line 3 cylinder.
I own a 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage DE and I love it. Mine has steel wheels and no fog lights, and I can easily get over 40 mpg. That's for a great, honest review!
I used to really love Mitsubishi back in the 90's when they had all sorts of awesome cars in their lineup. But they've not been doing well lately. Killing off most of the cars in their lineup and being left with a scant handful of them. I sincerely hope the Mirage works out for them in the economy segment because it does look promising (as a value proposition). But I don't think many will be wowed with it's lack luster styling and lack of options comparable to many in the economy segment (like Hyundai and Kia for example -- I think the Rio lines up with the Mirage here). Again, doesn't look like much on paper and in the looks department. But if it's anything like the mitsu's i've had in the past it's a hidden gem that deserves at least a test drive.
Wow, Please don't take this the wrong way. You were taken advantage of in my opinion. I have Gotten Honda Accords for $99 a month with less. I shop for cars for a living so I was curious. Granted it is hard to find a payment that low, but with that much down. You could have been in a lot more car.
No one should Lease a $10,000 car. You pay for it for cheap, run it for years enjoying the affordable ownership. $3800 Down, that is like nearly half of what you could have paid for one. Or, just bought a great used car for $4000.
At the time, my payment was $81.62 a month. After purchasing it, went up to $166/month. I am well aware that leasing like that is what one should not do, but I am low income, young and building credit it was really my only option as I could not and cannot afford more. Such as renting apartments. I can't afford mortgages as I am right now.
Gret review. I love my 2015 ES with Navigation. I have not had any complaints with mine, it is what it is and packed with all kinds of features!!! Gas milage is amazing, way better than window sticker if you try.
i love my Mirage, yah it doesn't go fast but I'm not a race car driver, I'm a normal human who likes safety and this car is safe and good to my wallet...25$ to fill it up??? I'd take that over any other features
I filled my '15 Mirage up from empty for $17.25 today. She went 398 miles on that 8.7 gallons. I'll do the math for you...that's 46 mpg! If you are a cheap, stingy fucker like me, buy a Mirage!
MrNuggetface Thanks, and I am glad to hear it. When my girlfriend drove mine, she liked it so much she went out and bought one too! Since we both have Mirages, we compete with each other to see who can get the best mileage every day. Sometimes I win by a few 1/10ths of a mpg, sometimes she does. But with the warmer weather and 'summer gas' we are both now hovering around 50 mpg. Hard to beat that for what these cars cost.
I have a rental cvt and got 56 mpg...385 miles on 6.8 gallons...the low fuel thing was flashing..said I had 30 more miles to go. Test drove the manual and the rpm is way higher....needs a sixth gear....3000 rpm for the stick and less than 2000 for the cvt.
No I didn't. Went with a '11 Kia Soul instead because of the extra room inside. Was a great choice. Priced about the same as a new '15 Mitsubishi Mirage.
Diane, just because we don't like every single car that comes out and gets reviewed here doesn't make us trolls. I have a car and don't need to go drive a new one to know I don't like it. Simple. The real troll is the one going into someone's general comment and feeling somehow offended. The comments are for the car, not for you...build a bridge baby.
My sister just bought a brand new mirage last month. its an ES model with the CVT transmission and boy is it fun to drive. Even tho its a 3 cyl, its actually got a lot of pick up. Even with me, my sister, her BF inside the car ((We all weigh over 200lbs each)) plus the A/C going, we had no trouble merging in and out of traffic or getting up the windy hills here in Oregon. Plus the car is excellent on fuel. My only gripe is the handling as this car suffers some body roll. And the sound system is not that impressive. I wonder if Mitsubishi will offer a diesel engine option later down the line?
I think the body roll is due to the weight inside. Most cars will roll with that amount of weight inside. Please check the maximum load of the car. It should be in your owners manual.
dsteward85 I don't know about a diesel, but Mitsubishi offers a 1.0L 3-cylinder engine in other markets (the one we get in the US is a 1.2L). I'd take that!
buildmorefarms100 i think the market for this kind of sedan is not popular plus theres a lot more cheap sedan but better specs then the attrage,,because basicly speaking the attrage(sedan) is just a mirage with boots nothing more
+buildmorefarms100 A sedan version will debut at next years New York Auto show for the 2017 model year. Not sure when they will call it, but there are plans for such a vehicle.
Some of you guys are saying it looks ugly, but if you upgrade to the ES model and add on additional styling features and stuff, it looks way better! The original DE base model looks rather dull and lifeless. I actually like how it looks compared to other sub compact like cars and the price is just to good to beat compared to what you get with it alongside other cars.
First of all thank you for reviewing the Mitsubishi Mirage. The more information the better, but if you squint hard enough you can hear a lot of but defenses. No car is perfect and I prefer a balanced review with the good and the bad.
You can't mistake this for a sporty car...the kink in the front spoiler and rear window spoiler don't do anything to spike the look of this economy car.
Oh man. I love my Chevy Spark, but this car is so tempting with its better gas mileage and better amenities and maybe even better build quality and materials at the same price point!! I do like look of the Spark better, both interior and exterior. The Mirage unfortunately just looks kinda mundane in comparison.
I test drove both. I agree about the styling of the two. My preference was the Mirage. More comfortable, better ride quality, better MPGs, more features. If I drive with a light foot and maintain 45-55mph, I'm seeing a smidgen over 50mpg. On a typical day I'm averaging 45mpg.
The styling on the Mirage is a bit reminiscent of the first generation Toyota Prius and Honda Insight for a reason. A pessimist would call this styling "dated", an optimist would say it's "conservative". But an engineer would call it "AERODYNAMIC". The Mirage is meant to be VERY aerodynamic...and it is. The Mirage has one of the lowest cD ratings of any new car...0.28. I own one of these with a 5-speed, and this car just loves to...COAST! More than any other car I have owned. Just push in the clutch on a slight incline and let Sir Isaac Newton keep the car moving forward. It's one of the reasons some people are coaxing 50+ MPG out of the Mirage. They are light, very aerodynamic, and are running small, low-rolling-resistance tires.
This is direct competition to Spark. The spark is hands down the better looking, more stylish car inside and out. It's also got a 4cyl with 10hp more. I'm just not sure about the longer term reliability since it's a rebadged Daewoo.
Ronald de Rooij I ended up buying a new Mirage over the Spark. Spark has better fit and finish inside. BUT, it also feels cheaper and flimsier. The door hands are really thin plastic. I foresee those breaking easily with a rough-handed person. The controls on the dash also seemed flimsier in comparison. The Mirage is less refined overall, but it's still a more pleasant car to live with once you get used to its personality quirks. The ride quality is superior, but the handling is awful (soft suspension). The 3cyl engine also sounds better. It also comes standard with a lot more for the money.
uhhhh.. that is not the base. The base does not have steering controls and push button start. Regardless, the DE is plenty well equipped. The CVT is an option on either one, too, actually. I still think the used market is a better value, however.. when Mitsubishi goes under (and I know that will be in the next 2 years) I will look at getting one of these below 9 grand.
I have a 2014 Mirage and have noticed that it is jumpy when decelerating. Around like 15 mph it seems to drag and jump until it shifts into 10mph. Anyone else notice this?
Oh and I bought my versa for $13000 with s package so it had cruise as well as power everything. I got a 2014 jetta se 1.8t last month for $16900 and it is German highway cruiser! Like a little benz
Let's just say I traded the 14 Jetta for a 15 Passat and now a 16 golf sportwagen. Way more bang for the buck and such a great reliable car. So far. I just bought my wife a 2017 rogue for $28k and it's a joke compared to my VWs. But it's what she wanted. Ugh CVT
It is fun to compare 15k and above cars with an 11 grand Mirage. lol. I was a big VW fan until 1993, then they got more complicated and less simple to repair.
@Jeff Glucker: Did you get a chance to note the car's MPG during your test? More than a few reviewers (and owners) have said the car can meet/beat its EPA ratings. I had a chance to try the manual, and it was pretty easy to surpass the city rating with careful driving. Cheers- Darin (no, not affiliated with Mitsu.)
the rio and accent are much larger cars. this car would be with the spark liek you said and also maybe even the scion iq even though the mirage is a little larger than that
That Spark is surprisingly good as well. It's a weird world we live in when there are lots of great sub-compact choices... but that's the truth! The Spark is a bit nicer inside than the Mirage though, that's for sure.
Jeff: Howdy, again...Do you think I could have a powered sunroof installed into/onto the top of the line model, probably via the Mitsubishi dealer I get to deal with upon deciding to go with the Mirage for purchase? No sunroof option from factory is a bit of a turn off. Plus is it possible to upgrade the puny audio system to a powerhouse including a sub woofer? I'd go with the rear view cam by all means. Whatcha think? Inform, when you can, please. Many thanx...Peace! AladdinSaneNYC :-)
Even though it cost a bit more, unless you're going for the stripper DE models with the 5MT I would instead find a lightly used Prius C. It is roughly the same size but the hybrid powertrain makes it EVEN MORE frugal than the Mirage as well as added power from the electric motor which makes the car much more zingy in the city. It is also better built & more equipped, and while Mitsubishi's reliability is so-so, you cannot argue the long-term ownership of a Toyota.
+Trades46 But you can get one of these for only $9995 brand spanken new, and they are pretty well equipped even stock. I am unsure what the resale value is of the Prius C, but I am assuming it would be pretty far in to beat 9 grand range.
Well I just saw the 2017 Mirage and I think it is a vast improvement over this 2013~2015 version. Now it's up to par with the likes of the Nissan Micra.
The overall safety ratings are actually fine on this car. The only test it failed is the new Small Frontal Overlap impact test. This is a brand new test, and cars are not designed for it yet. The Nissan Versa and the Toyota Prius C also failed this test, as did many other larger and presumably safer cars.
nathanb I have the 2014 model. it is the perfect work car. I bought it with 2k miles and now have 55k on it. absolutely love the car. I service my car myself, so I must say that even this is cheap to do on it as the engine is little. I'm planning to drive until it breaks down and get another one for the same exact purposes. I will say, buy it used! the value on these cars do not hold. I just seen my car, year and all sell for 5-6k with only 20k-30k on it. I feel this car will give me an easy 300k with routine servicing.
Matthew Gutierrez thanks for the advice Matthew. I'm always curious as to how "self-serviceable" newer cars are, so I'm glad to hear it's possible with this one. I was also debating whether to buy new or used, but you've convinced me. Hope you have many more reliable miles!
It's very Mitsubishi with their design dating back ten years, if not longer. This thing is ugly ugly ugly. I would never look it's way if I were in the market for a new car.
Is the I3 in that the same as the one in the Smart ForTwo (Mitsubishi let Mercedes-Benz use it in that car) or is it a different one since it makes slightly more BHP.
Not the same motor. The Mirage in North America has a 1.2L (the 3A92). The Smart in North America uses a 1.0 (3B21). There's a 1.0L engine option for the Mirage in Europe & Japan, but it's different too (3A90).
I don't think you need anything bigger in this car... most cars in its price range also have 14/15 inch rims, and I don't see anyone complaining about the rest... Lol the Scion xD doesn't even come with alloys!
They used cheap materials. The headliner was so thin and when you knock the headliner you could hear sheet metal. I would rather get the Chevy spark with 9 airbags safety features and good exterior and interior design. I know what I am talking about because I use to sell cars before
Nice review that I wish was more detailed, but good nonetheless. I only wish Mitsu offered a power sunroof option with the top of the line model. I also dig the exterior Plasma Purple exterior color. Peace... AladdinSaneNYC
As you may have read below, the review person of this report doesn't dig the idea of installing an aftermarket power sunroof into/onto the Mirage. So many agree on this and disagree that I'm still on the fence, so to speak, on even thinking about installation. I wish Mitsu offered this option on its ES model as an extra cost option from factory. I'm sure many cosidering the Mirage for purchase would go for it. Peace! AladdinSaneNYC
I drove cvt and it was awfulllllllll! Now a 5spd might be fun and would make the most of 74hp. It is ugly to compared to my versa hatch I bought new in 2010. Makes my versa look like a stunnah
djkenny my versa was the first generation. It was a much better built car. Car and driver magazine wrote in 2012 when the new versa sedan came out to buy the 2007-2012 hatchback version because it was much better built. Mine was great quality. And was a trooper. BUT i paid $14k for it loaded. A base s 5 sod sedan may be worth it if you want cheap transportation.
I think I would stick with my 92 VW GTI I have had for 17 years However, if I find need for a new fuel efficient car, the Mirage has me pretty won over, with a 5 speed. I like to keep cars 20+ years and I have the impression it would hold up better. My little Suzuki 3 cyl Chevrolet Sprint Turbo was the most reliable car I have had, owned along side the GTI as well as an extra 8 years from 1992-2010. Fun and efficient. Maybe another 3 cylinder with modern safety standards, more comforts, and 4 doors with that same handy hatch is the next venture.
djkenny the more I think about it the redesigned for 2016 chevy spark is a great car. If you go with a base model the price is low and the reviews are way better than the mirage or versa. It feels like a substantial car. Takes well to the freeway. Plus it's quieter and has a new revised smooth 4 cyl
I am not trusting of Chevy and Daewoo. My pas car was Suzuki, and I have faith in their cars. Daewoo? Not so much. I would need to hear about owners with 200k miles on those before even considering it. Nissan is iffy, but it seems Mitsubishi Mirage cars from the 90's are still driving well when maintained. I have seen old 4 cylinder Mirage cars from the mid 90's to 2000 or so with 250k on them running just fine. The reports on Spark and Versa have not been fantastic in terms of avoiding issues.
The kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, nissan versa or chevy spark are four times the value than this car! JUNK domes it up in its current production, does not have interior carpet its cardboard pressed against the floor, so NO insulation and you get the OUTDOOR noise TOTALLY! GOOD LUCK!
Unfortunately, I did one better I tested this car, TOTAL let down. Nissan Versa sedan for under $11,000.00 comes fully loaded with all extras included. Good luck!
i brought in my car for repair and they gave me this for the time that they had my car, and its rubbish. no performance at all, steering is not responsive and when you 3 or 4 people are in the car, its even worse. And, the driving position is bad (you don't even have an armrest). Really the only good this that I can say about this car is that its economical, that IT!
Weight of the vehicle shifts forward under breaking so the front brakes need to be discs. Rear brakes not so much and also drums last longers and when they do wear out, are cheaper to replace than discs.
Yeah, they really need to put disc brakes on the back, that super-car performance 74 horses and 1 ton truck 2000 lbs curb weight need a lot of braking power to overcome... /sarcasm
Weak motor ONLY gets good mpg when carrying ONLY DRIVER. Carry about 3 adults or full load and this thing gets under worse than 40 mpg. Not to mention the acceleration will be slower than my 500w electric scooter. Going up hill you wish you didn't sell your junky beater to get this MIrage.
I don't think so! The car has a lot of HP and combined with its lightweight body it will has the same amount of weight with 4 persons in it as another modern 2014 car that only has 69 HP for the same price(for instance Citroen c3 or Peugeot 208). So in your face!!!
buildmorefarms100 I just finished the first 1000 miles in which you have to drive very carefully. I did and so the mileage may be a bit optimistic. On the other hand, when the engine is around 10.000 miles they tend to get really "loose" and be more economical and powerful (after which a slow decline sets in :-(. The first 1000 miles of quiet long distance driving I did 52.3 US miles to the US gallon. (4.5 litres per 100 kilometers for the rest of the world). I expect in practice 47 miles/gallon (5 litres/100km). But beware, I live in a very, very densely populated part of Europe with lots and lots of cars around.
Finally, a positive review on this good little car. Enjoyed!
Hows your Mirage holding up?
A fair review by keeping your parameters set to the cars intended purpose. Thanks for not hating on Mitsu. I had one a long time ago and have always had a soft spot for them.
Im blown away by my 2017 Mirage! Drives nice and smooth and Im averaging 42 mpgs around town.. got the es sunrise orange 5 speed manual
One thing is for certain, these cars are selling...They set a first year goal of 7,000 units. They have exceeded this goal with 5 months to go....they are going to double their initial sales forecast! People love cheap, reliable wheels.
My sister has a 2000 Mirage DE coupe at 175,000 miles. Still drives like a beauty!
Thanks for a legitimate, well balanced review. It never ceases to amaze me how many reviewers in other markets praise the Mirage or how many owners come to its defense when criticized. This just makes all the “pros” seem like a bunch of whiny & spoiled brats. Which... many are. After reading others opinions here, “intended purpose” is the key phrase to remember. It’s not a Mustang, a Lexus or a Navigator. My job is relatively lucrative BECAUSE I drive a fuel efficient vehicle. Why is that so difficult for these bozos to understand? Not everyone lives five minutes from work. Nor does everyone want a land yacht, especially if you do all your own maintenance. The bigger everything is, the heavier everything is. And typically, the more complex a vehicle is, the less reliable & expensive it is to maintain. Common sense clearly doesn’t come into play when these reviewers slam the Mirage.
Well said, you hit the nail on the head.
this guy does the best reviews in my opinion.
Great review! 44mpg, decently fun to drive, good interior content, all for 12,995...plus a 5yr/60k bumper to bumper warranty...
Thanks Diane, I am a big believer in small cars...this one looks cute and fun!
One thing I noticed is that a lot of reviewers of compacts and subcompacts completely forget that they didn't accidentally shrink a larger car in the wash. It's meant to be that small, and shouldn't be put up to the purposes a larger car would face.. people won't buy it for those reasons!
This review takes it into account better. Thank you for that.
This guy is my favorite autobytel reviewer!
Hold it. The car he's testing is the ES model with the manual transmission. You can get the DE or ES model with either manual or CVT.
This is actually the ES version, which is available with the 5-speed manual as well as the CVT, and comes with the alloy wheels, fog lights, pushbutton start, and cruise control shown here. The base DE version comes with plastic wheel covers and lacks those frills, but it does still have power windows/locks/mirrors.
I have a DE but with the CVT transmission. I don't have the push button start or anything though.
I have a DE with alloys. They just had them on there and it was a free option. Only one the car had. Bought it for my fiancee at christmas.
I still can't believe the base model comes with both power locks and windows. My base Chevy Spark has only power windows with manual door locks and mirrors.
Trance88 i had a spark as a rental for a week last year, was top o the line version, funky looking (pink one) but got 35mpg city in sub freezing temps. almost bought a spark, i have an '08 smart which sucks in snow, but gets 50mpgs all summer.
@@SaneeXD Me too. A 2014 DE CVT. Hows yours holding up?
I own a mirage for 8 years now. Still reliable.
is it 2014?
@@juniegalvan5681 yes. I sold it last June and replaced with an innova. I dont want to deal with the belt replacement.
@@howtosurviveearth i see... i just bought 2014 Mirage last month with 156k mileage, but what is the belt replacement. Was it from the transmission?
@@juniegalvan5681 yes, the CVT belt. They have recommend to replace thay after 100k I think.
Video error: The review car is an ES, not a base DE. Manual and CVT are offered on both trim levels.
It gives fantastic gas mileage, very easy to fix and repair.
Well done! I drove a 1.0 liter Vauxhall Corsa in Scotland in 1998 and have been with small, engaging to drive cars ever since. Thank you for not bashing on subcompacts. They have a place in the American market for sure and kudos to your commentary on the audio pleasure of driving an in-line 3 cylinder.
I own a 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage DE and I love it. Mine has steel wheels and no fog lights, and I can easily get over 40 mpg. That's for a great, honest review!
nice presentation... I've always like Mitsubishi...I'm off to test drive one
What did you think? Did you buy a Mirage?
I used to really love Mitsubishi back in the 90's when they had all sorts of awesome cars in their lineup. But they've not been doing well lately. Killing off most of the cars in their lineup and being left with a scant handful of them. I sincerely hope the Mirage works out for them in the economy segment because it does look promising (as a value proposition). But I don't think many will be wowed with it's lack luster styling and lack of options comparable to many in the economy segment (like Hyundai and Kia for example -- I think the Rio lines up with the Mirage here).
Again, doesn't look like much on paper and in the looks department. But if it's anything like the mitsu's i've had in the past it's a hidden gem that deserves at least a test drive.
Best Host Ever !
The Mirage has a warranty that kills the competition.
I just leased this car. Same green one too. I like it so far.
You leased a mirage? What is your lease payment?
Eric Bell With $3,800 down and a 2 year lease (and my mom cosigning :P), I got $82/month.
Wow, Please don't take this the wrong way. You were taken advantage of in my opinion. I have Gotten Honda Accords for $99 a month with less. I shop for cars for a living so I was curious. Granted it is hard to find a payment that low, but with that much down. You could have been in a lot more car.
No one should Lease a $10,000 car. You pay for it for cheap, run it for years enjoying the affordable ownership. $3800 Down, that is like nearly half of what you could have paid for one. Or, just bought a great used car for $4000.
At the time, my payment was $81.62 a month. After purchasing it, went up to $166/month. I am well aware that leasing like that is what one should not do, but I am low income, young and building credit it was really my only option as I could not and cannot afford more. Such as renting apartments. I can't afford mortgages as I am right now.
Gret review. I love my 2015 ES with Navigation. I have not had any complaints with mine, it is what it is and packed with all kinds of features!!! Gas milage is amazing, way better than window sticker if you try.
I test drove the automatic. I really liked it.
I bought it even!
This is a very Nice Car
Love it I would buy one
i love my Mirage, yah it doesn't go fast but I'm not a race car driver, I'm a normal human who likes safety and this car is safe and good to my wallet...25$ to fill it up??? I'd take that over any other features
i love you
Hows your Mirage running? We got two lol.
I filled my '15 Mirage up from empty for $17.25 today. She went 398 miles on that 8.7 gallons.
I'll do the math for you...that's 46 mpg! If you are a cheap, stingy fucker like me, buy a Mirage!
MrNuggetface Thanks, and I am glad to hear it.
When my girlfriend drove mine, she liked it so much she went out and bought one too! Since we both have Mirages, we compete with each other to see who can get the best mileage every day. Sometimes I win by a few 1/10ths of a mpg, sometimes she does. But with the warmer weather and 'summer gas' we are both now hovering around 50 mpg.
Hard to beat that for what these cars cost.
My cousin has an 18 year old Mirage that still runs. It has 267,000 miles on it...
I have a rental cvt and got 56 mpg...385 miles on 6.8 gallons...the low fuel thing was flashing..said I had 30 more miles to go. Test drove the manual and the rpm is way higher....needs a sixth gear....3000 rpm for the stick and less than 2000 for the cvt.
Great review there, sir. I agree with you on the car and I can't wait ta test drive one!
Bryan Lund Did you test drive it? How did you like it?
No I didn't. Went with a '11 Kia Soul instead because of the extra room inside. Was a great choice. Priced about the same as a new '15 Mitsubishi Mirage.
excellent review man!this car is really great and cheap to run yet reliable..and it's MITSUBISHI:)))
This is a very good review . I bet everybody else craps on this
Except this is not the base version this is the ES model ...the DE comes with wheel covers no push button start and no Bluetooth
Diane, just because we don't like every single car that comes out and gets reviewed here doesn't make us trolls. I have a car and don't need to go drive a new one to know I don't like it. Simple. The real troll is the one going into someone's general comment and feeling somehow offended. The comments are for the car, not for you...build a bridge baby.
My sister just bought a brand new mirage last month. its an ES model with the CVT transmission and boy is it fun to drive. Even tho its a 3 cyl, its actually got a lot of pick up. Even with me, my sister, her BF inside the car ((We all weigh over 200lbs each)) plus the A/C going, we had no trouble merging in and out of traffic or getting up the windy hills here in Oregon. Plus the car is excellent on fuel. My only gripe is the handling as this car suffers some body roll. And the sound system is not that impressive. I wonder if Mitsubishi will offer a diesel engine option later down the line?
Damn that poor car was not made for hauling elephants..just normal size people
I think the body roll is due to the weight inside. Most cars will roll with that amount of weight inside. Please check the maximum load of the car. It should be in your owners manual.
Zero 101: what an asinine remark to make!
dsteward85 I don't know about a diesel, but Mitsubishi offers a 1.0L 3-cylinder engine in other markets (the one we get in the US is a 1.2L). I'd take that!
+Aaron Costello - I agree 100% that if the 1.0L 3 cylinder was offered here I would take it in a minute!
When they come out with the Mirage 4 door sedan I will be very interested.
They did came out, it's called the attrage , go look it up but think only.for the south east asia market or something
naaszreen jasman True but it has not yet come to North America.
buildmorefarms100 i think the market for this kind of sedan is not popular plus theres a lot more cheap sedan but better specs then the attrage,,because basicly speaking the attrage(sedan) is just a mirage with boots nothing more
naaszreen jasman Thats ok with me, I like the Mirage specs..I just would like a trunk and 4 doors.
+buildmorefarms100 A sedan version will debut at next years New York Auto show for the 2017 model year. Not sure when they will call it, but there are plans for such a vehicle.
Can they add 4 wheel discs, bigger wheels and the 2 liter 4 cylinder from the Evo (hell, even a 1.8 liter) and call it good?
Some of you guys are saying it looks ugly, but if you upgrade to the ES model and add on additional styling features and stuff, it looks way better! The original DE base model looks rather dull and lifeless. I actually like how it looks compared to other sub compact like cars and the price is just to good to beat compared to what you get with it alongside other cars.
First of all thank you for reviewing the Mitsubishi Mirage. The more information the better, but if you squint hard enough you can hear a lot of but defenses. No car is perfect and I prefer a balanced review with the good and the bad.
is it really a stretch to shift a manual transmission in a Mitsubishi Mirage to 1st from a stop??
You know it’s a Jeff Glucker video when you hear the word fascia.
I would get one - if only everyone else drove small Vehicles on the Road.
Are you the same guy who reviewed the Lamborghini aventador? Because If you are, WOW!
I am
Talk about Range! From the small cheap cars all the up to the big high end exotics
This car has the exact same amount of cylinders as the old Honda Insight...except today's Mirage isn't a hybrid!
If you're in the Phoenix area come in and test drive a Mirage and you decide for yourself!!!!
It is not a DE it's an ES because of push button start and auto climate control and the ES you can get the 5 speed manual or a CVT.
You can't mistake this for a sporty car...the kink in the front spoiler and rear window spoiler don't do anything to spike the look of this economy car.
Oh man. I love my Chevy Spark, but this car is so tempting with its better gas mileage and better amenities and maybe even better build quality and materials at the same price point!! I do like look of the Spark better, both interior and exterior. The Mirage unfortunately just looks kinda mundane in comparison.
They tend to leave them that way and aftermarket usually beefs things up.
I test drove both. I agree about the styling of the two. My preference was the Mirage. More comfortable, better ride quality, better MPGs, more features. If I drive with a light foot and maintain 45-55mph, I'm seeing a smidgen over 50mpg. On a typical day I'm averaging 45mpg.
The styling on the Mirage is a bit reminiscent of the first generation Toyota Prius and Honda Insight for a reason. A pessimist would call this styling "dated", an optimist would say it's "conservative". But an engineer would call it "AERODYNAMIC". The Mirage is meant to be VERY aerodynamic...and it is.
The Mirage has one of the lowest cD ratings of any new car...0.28.
I own one of these with a 5-speed, and this car just loves to...COAST! More than any other car I have owned. Just push in the clutch on a slight incline and let Sir Isaac Newton keep the car moving forward. It's one of the reasons some people are coaxing 50+ MPG out of the Mirage. They are light, very aerodynamic, and are running small, low-rolling-resistance tires.
best car will buy
I want mine in pink.
Thanx, Jeff...gotcha! BTW: Have you tested the Chevy Spark yet? Please inform when you can. Looking forward...Peace!
AladdinSaneNYC
HAHAAH the brakes! they are the size of a watch bezel!!
this car will bomb , just will.
emil sponga Wrong you are! It more than doubled its sales goals the first year in the USA! :)
This is direct competition to Spark. The spark is hands down the better looking, more stylish car inside and out. It's also got a 4cyl with 10hp more. I'm just not sure about the longer term reliability since it's a rebadged Daewoo.
I owned a Daewoo once. Your worries are justified, unless they massively improved quality now.
Ronald de Rooij I ended up buying a new Mirage over the Spark. Spark has better fit and finish inside. BUT, it also feels cheaper and flimsier. The door hands are really thin plastic. I foresee those breaking easily with a rough-handed person. The controls on the dash also seemed flimsier in comparison. The Mirage is less refined overall, but it's still a more pleasant car to live with once you get used to its personality quirks. The ride quality is superior, but the handling is awful (soft suspension). The 3cyl engine also sounds better. It also comes standard with a lot more for the money.
2:32 he ran the stopped sign. Mail him a ticket!
Yep mine does the same thing as I am slowing down at around 10mph it does a little jolt, it is just the CVT adjusting, its normal.
uhhhh.. that is not the base. The base does not have steering controls and push button start. Regardless, the DE is plenty well equipped. The CVT is an option on either one, too, actually. I still think the used market is a better value, however.. when Mitsubishi goes under (and I know that will be in the next 2 years) I will look at getting one of these below 9 grand.
I have a 2014 Mirage and have noticed that it is jumpy when decelerating. Around like 15 mph it seems to drag and jump until it shifts into 10mph. Anyone else notice this?
Yes that is normal its the CVT Engine braking and preparing for Idle Neutral Logic when it comes to a stop.
This honestly was a great review! BTW a 120 degree three cylinder is primary balanced even more than a four cylinder.
Oh and I bought my versa for $13000 with s package so it had cruise as well as power everything. I got a 2014 jetta se 1.8t last month for $16900 and it is German highway cruiser! Like a little benz
More like a Mexican built wanna be German car
I think German reliability is not quite as good as Asian. Sure they are all about handling, but I'd rather drive a Toyota, Honda,Subaru or mitsubishi.
Let's just say I traded the 14 Jetta for a 15 Passat and now a 16 golf sportwagen. Way more bang for the buck and such a great reliable car. So far. I just bought my wife a 2017 rogue for $28k and it's a joke compared to my VWs. But it's what she wanted. Ugh CVT
It is fun to compare 15k and above cars with an 11 grand Mirage. lol. I was a big VW fan until 1993, then they got more complicated and less simple to repair.
Staring and looking at this design of this car, and I eventually realize, this car is in the color of Jello Lime Green (o0)!. Damn!
I have a 15' camp trailer that I want to tow. I wonder if the 74 horses and CVT are up for it?
No. It may tow only 200kg.
Dont do it. Matter of fact adding anything to the back or roof is going to effect your mpg.
@Jeff Glucker: Did you get a chance to note the car's MPG during your test? More than a few reviewers (and owners) have said the car can meet/beat its EPA ratings. I had a chance to try the manual, and it was pretty easy to surpass the city rating with careful driving. Cheers- Darin (no, not affiliated with Mitsu.)
I would imagine it would be easy to surpass ratings here as well... I was in the 30's and I was driving hard.
hey Jeff, would you consider this car over the kia Rio, Hyundai Accent or chevy spark?
the rio and accent are much larger cars. this car would be with the spark liek you said and also maybe even the scion iq even though the mirage is a little larger than that
That Spark is surprisingly good as well. It's a weird world we live in when there are lots of great sub-compact choices... but that's the truth! The Spark is a bit nicer inside than the Mirage though, that's for sure.
Jeff: Howdy, again...Do you think I could have a powered sunroof installed into/onto the top of the line model, probably via the Mitsubishi dealer I get to deal with upon deciding to go with the Mirage for purchase? No sunroof option from factory is a bit of a turn off. Plus is it possible to upgrade the puny audio system to a powerhouse including a sub woofer? I'd go with the rear view cam by all means. Whatcha think? Inform, when you can, please. Many thanx...Peace! AladdinSaneNYC :-)
You can always upgrade any audio system. Just takes money and know-how.
I'm wary of aftermarket sunroof installs... I've heard they leak over time.
Even though it cost a bit more, unless you're going for the stripper DE models with the 5MT I would instead find a lightly used Prius C.
It is roughly the same size but the hybrid powertrain makes it EVEN MORE frugal than the Mirage as well as added power from the electric motor which makes the car much more zingy in the city. It is also better built & more equipped, and while Mitsubishi's reliability is so-so, you cannot argue the long-term ownership of a Toyota.
+Trades46 But you can get one of these for only $9995 brand spanken new, and they are pretty well equipped even stock. I am unsure what the resale value is of the Prius C, but I am assuming it would be pretty far in to beat 9 grand range.
+Trades46 the Mirage has a 10yr/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.
Well I just saw the 2017 Mirage and I think it is a vast improvement over this 2013~2015 version. Now it's up to par with the likes of the Nissan Micra.
Where did you see a 2017? Many changes?
djkenny
LA Autoshow going on from Nov. 17~29. Check out automotive blogs/websites.
Hey wait a minute, why does this sound like a smart? Oh wait, it’s because it’s pretty similar.
The only thing holding this guy back for me is the safety specs.
Who needs safety when it's painted like a reflective construction vest lol. Mitsubishi is banking on others seeing you as a component of safety.
The overall safety ratings are actually fine on this car. The only test it failed is the new Small Frontal Overlap impact test. This is a brand new test, and cars are not designed for it yet.
The Nissan Versa and the Toyota Prius C also failed this test, as did many other larger and presumably safer cars.
I couldnt tell if he was being sarcastically funny....
I WANT ONE SO HARD!!
nathanb I have the 2014 model. it is the perfect work car. I bought it with 2k miles and now have 55k on it. absolutely love the car. I service my car myself, so I must say that even this is cheap to do on it as the engine is little. I'm planning to drive until it breaks down and get another one for the same exact purposes. I will say, buy it used! the value on these cars do not hold. I just seen my car, year and all sell for 5-6k with only 20k-30k on it. I feel this car will give me an easy 300k with routine servicing.
Matthew Gutierrez thanks for the advice Matthew. I'm always curious as to how "self-serviceable" newer cars are, so I'm glad to hear it's possible with this one. I was also debating whether to buy new or used, but you've convinced me. Hope you have many more reliable miles!
Yes, I hope so as well. Enjoy the car!
thanx :)
@@outofthebox5441 Hows it running?
It's very Mitsubishi with their design dating back ten years, if not longer. This thing is ugly ugly ugly. I would never look it's way if I were in the market for a new car.
I bought one, and I agree it is ugly. But what is the point? You don't see the outside from the inside....
Is the I3 in that the same as the one in the Smart ForTwo (Mitsubishi let Mercedes-Benz use it in that car) or is it a different one since it makes slightly more BHP.
Not the same motor. The Mirage in North America has a 1.2L (the 3A92). The Smart in North America uses a 1.0 (3B21). There's a 1.0L engine option for the Mirage in Europe & Japan, but it's different too (3A90).
Thanks I didn't rember after looking it up you helped me a lot.
Diane Glover
not in america
Does it have AM and FM?
Which oil can I use when my gear is stuck or hard to change ?
Crush it!
The three-cylinder Ford Fiesta gets higher MPG at 45mpg and higher horsepower (120+)
.
If you can find one.
Ford= thousand$ more, with a shorter warranty, less mpg, and no available automatic....yipee?
Also alot less reliabilty unfortunately. The Fiesta is fun as hell to drive hard though.
Our 2004 honda civic hybrid has 14 inch rims
my '84 Benz 300TD has them too... but they're getting swapped out.
I don't think you need anything bigger in this car... most cars in its price range also have 14/15 inch rims, and I don't see anyone complaining about the rest...
Lol the Scion xD doesn't even come with alloys!
Those are "scrap yard" elements.
This fucking guy loves more the mirage than a 320i ... wtf ?
They sure don't make mirage's like they used to :/
True, they are much safer nowadays, it even has a knee airbag, the old Mirage was a death trap.
hey at least it's cheap
Hey. You're Sharp! redundant juvenile What's your opinion about this !!
They used cheap materials. The headliner was so thin and when you knock the headliner you could hear sheet metal. I would rather get the Chevy spark with 9 airbags safety features and good exterior and interior design. I know what I am talking about because I use to sell cars before
These also have a lot of air bags and will be more reliable. Better fuel economy, too.
This is a good small car however... Over 50,000 miles of driving, I don't believe the cvt would get better mileage.
How is it doing?
Nice review that I wish was more detailed, but good nonetheless. I only wish Mitsu offered a power sunroof option with the top of the line model.
I also dig the exterior Plasma Purple exterior color.
Peace...
AladdinSaneNYC
what else would you like to know about the car? I'll do my best to answer
You could fit an aftermarket sunroof.
you can add a sunroof
As you may have read below, the review person of this report doesn't dig the idea of installing an aftermarket power sunroof into/onto the Mirage. So many agree on this and disagree that I'm still on the fence, so to speak, on even thinking about installation. I wish Mitsu offered this option on its ES model as an extra cost option from factory. I'm sure many cosidering the Mirage for purchase would go for it. Peace! AladdinSaneNYC
I agree
19,180??? Does it comes with a blond model inside???
Why would you need a sports car when you're not gonna be playing sports while driving? "SPORTS CARS" ARE A RIP OFF.
I drove cvt and it was awfulllllllll! Now a 5spd might be fun and would make the most of 74hp. It is ugly to compared to my versa hatch I bought new in 2010. Makes my versa look like a stunnah
How is the Versa? Thinking about a new 10 grand S model.
djkenny my versa was the first generation. It was a much better built car. Car and driver magazine wrote in 2012 when the new versa sedan came out to buy the 2007-2012 hatchback version because it was much better built. Mine was great quality. And was a trooper. BUT i paid $14k for it loaded. A base s 5 sod sedan may be worth it if you want cheap transportation.
I think I would stick with my 92 VW GTI I have had for 17 years However, if I find need for a new fuel efficient car, the Mirage has me pretty won over, with a 5 speed. I like to keep cars 20+ years and I have the impression it would hold up better. My little Suzuki 3 cyl Chevrolet Sprint Turbo was the most reliable car I have had, owned along side the GTI as well as an extra 8 years from 1992-2010. Fun and efficient. Maybe another 3 cylinder with modern safety standards, more comforts, and 4 doors with that same handy hatch is the next venture.
djkenny the more I think about it the redesigned for 2016 chevy spark is a great car. If you go with a base model the price is low and the reviews are way better than the mirage or versa. It feels like a substantial car. Takes well to the freeway. Plus it's quieter and has a new revised smooth 4 cyl
I am not trusting of Chevy and Daewoo. My pas car was Suzuki, and I have faith in their cars. Daewoo? Not so much. I would need to hear about owners with 200k miles on those before even considering it. Nissan is iffy, but it seems Mitsubishi Mirage cars from the 90's are still driving well when maintained. I have seen old 4 cylinder Mirage cars from the mid 90's to 2000 or so with 250k on them running just fine. The reports on Spark and Versa have not been fantastic in terms of avoiding issues.
The kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, nissan versa or chevy spark are four times the value than this car! JUNK domes it up in its current production, does not have interior carpet its cardboard pressed against the floor, so NO insulation and you get the OUTDOOR noise TOTALLY! GOOD LUCK!
Unfortunately, I did one better I tested this car, TOTAL let down. Nissan Versa sedan for under $11,000.00 comes fully loaded with all extras included. Good luck!
It's a mazda 2 well it looks like one I don't like the back should been a hybrid
That would have increased cost and sacrificed simplicity a great deal.
Does Autobytel like never criticize cars because this by far one of the worst car on the market and he's trying to make this car sound good.
Go find my Lancer review...
lol exactly! He was going on about how it looks. It looks like a post 1990 car! Actually reminds me of the shitty bland Chevy Aveo.
hibye Lol I owned a brand new Chevy Aveo back in 2007 and it was the biggest piece of shit ever
Fuck off you're crazy.
He does point out the negatives but he also sees the positives...Have you ever driven this Car Cameron? He has and is reporting on his impression.
i brought in my car for repair and they gave me this for the time that they had my car, and its rubbish. no performance at all, steering is not responsive and when you 3 or 4 people are in the car, its even worse. And, the driving position is bad (you don't even have an armrest). Really the only good this that I can say about this car is that its economical, that IT!
My jetski has over twice the horsepower of this thing, lol...
More than 148 hp? Doubt it...
215hp (2008 Seadoo RXP) The new ones have 260hp and the Kawasaki 300hp lol...
That's excessive...but Ok.
buildmorefarms100
your stupidity is excessive.
***** You mad bro?
Ha ha so I can smoke it with my Mazda 2!
But your 2 wont get 44 mpg....pluz 5/60k bumper to bumper warranty.
Touche.
@@spyralspyder Madza2 great lil car but the gas milleage sucks at 28 mpg combined. Might as well get a Mazda3 at that point.
this car make smart car not so smart
2015 and cars still use drum brakes! FML
Weight of the vehicle shifts forward under breaking so the front brakes need to be discs. Rear brakes not so much and also drums last longers and when they do wear out, are cheaper to replace than discs.
Uh, where do you get the impression all cars have all disc? Bizarre. We havea new Forester, a 25 grand car, with rear drums. So what.
Yeah, they really need to put disc brakes on the back, that super-car performance 74 horses and 1 ton truck 2000 lbs curb weight need a lot of braking power to overcome... /sarcasm
Weak motor ONLY gets good mpg when carrying ONLY DRIVER. Carry about 3 adults or full load and this thing gets under worse than 40 mpg. Not to mention the acceleration will be slower than my 500w electric scooter. Going up hill you wish you didn't sell your junky beater to get this MIrage.
I don't think so! The car has a lot of HP and combined with its lightweight body it will has the same amount of weight with 4 persons in it as another modern 2014 car that only has 69 HP for the same price(for instance Citroen c3 or Peugeot 208). So in your face!!!
That's a very ugly car. Funny review.
I liked the car and the review.
buildmorefarms100 I bought the car, although it is ugly. I also liked the review. A bit short, though. I would have liked more depth.
Ronald de Rooij What kind of gas mileage are you getting Ron?
buildmorefarms100 I just finished the first 1000 miles in which you have to drive very carefully. I did and so the mileage may be a bit optimistic. On the other hand, when the engine is around 10.000 miles they tend to get really "loose" and be more economical and powerful (after which a slow decline sets in :-(. The first 1000 miles of quiet long distance driving I did 52.3 US miles to the US gallon. (4.5 litres per 100 kilometers for the rest of the world). I expect in practice 47 miles/gallon (5 litres/100km). But beware, I live in a very, very densely populated part of Europe with lots and lots of cars around.
Ronald de Rooij I might be getting a Mirage tomorrow! Base DE with 5 speed manual transmission.
My lawn mower has 2 cylinders.
Ford's 3 cylinder has twice the torque and still gets better mileage..
Bullshit it doesn't. And yeah it costs twice as much
Ford 3 cyl has a turbo (hence more torque) and no available automatic and costs thousands more and gets less mpg and has a shorter warranty.
The cheapest car Ford sells with that engine is about $18000.
and the transmission is a troublesome unit with a lower all around reliability record. Mirage 10 grand is possible new, a Fiesta? Nearly $15,000