Mitsubishi Attrage: Budget Sedan’s Ownership Review

Abu Dhabi: The Mitsubishi Attrage is an entry-level compact sedan, once a popular segment now competing with compact SUVs. Despite that, this sedan attracts buyers in the UAE for one main reason: it is extremely inexpensive to buy and affordable to run. For first-time new car buyers, delivery drivers, and families on limited budgets, this low entry price is hard to ignore. At this price, it offers decent mileage, reasonable power and a spacious cabin. On paper, it looks like smart money. 

But owning a sedan is not only about the upfront price or fuel mileage but also the total cost of ownership, which comprises several elements. If you are looking for a budget sedan in 2026, we take a closer look at the overall ownership review of this Attrage to help you make the most informed decision. 

UAE Market Position and 2026 Updates

Mitsubishi brought the Attrage to the UAE in 2014 as a budget alternative to the Nissan Sunny and Toyota Yaris. Built in Thailand, it promised Japanese reliability at a lower price point. The 2020 facelift added sharper headlights and the Dynamic Shield grille. For 2026, nothing changed; it retains the same 1.2-litre engine, the same CVT gearbox, and the same chassis. 

Once highly popular, the compact sedan segment is right now losing relevance with the rising popularity of SUVs. The Attrage's main rivals are the Suzuki Dzire, Kia Pegas, and Changan Alsvin, along with price rivals like the Toyota Yaris and Nissan Sunny. On paper, it's the cheapest Japanese option. But that price advantage becomes irrelevant when you factor in resale value three years out.

Exterior Design

The Attrage looks decent from the front angle, with the greenhouse being tall and of sizable proportions. The beltline is high, and it doesn't flow naturally. The 2020 facelift gave it sharper front styling and taillights with black surrounds, but the overall silhouette remains just fine without real excitement.

• Halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights
• 15-inch alloy wheels on the GLX
• Body colour trunk spoiler. 
• Eight exterior colours are available 

The compact dimensions of 4,425 mm in length make parking easy with a tight turning radius. Build quality is decent at this price, with some panel gaps, but there's nothing here to raise any doubt.

Interior Space and Features

As one might expect, the cabin is functional and practical, with hard plastics dominating the dual-tone dashboard. Everything feels durable in a cost-controlled way. Fabric seats are standard, with synthetic leather as an option. 

• The driver's seat has height adjustment and an armrest on CVT models. 
• A 7-inch touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 
• Four speakers deliver adequate sound for podcasts, weak for music.
• Boot space of 450 liters
• Rear legroom works for two adults. 
• No rear vents 

Rear seats fold 60/40 for expanded cargo capacity. The visibility is excellent thanks to thin A-pillars and large windows. The instrument cluster is basic, with an ECO mode indicator that lights up during efficient driving.

Safety 

You get only two airbags for the driver and passenger. This may not be the best offering, considering Chinese sedans now come with six airbags standard at this price point.

• Standard equipment includes ABS with EBD
• Active Stability Control,
• Hill Start Assist, a rearview camera
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. 
• Forward Collision Mitigation and Lane Departure Warning 

There are some missing features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The RISE body structure provides crash protection, but the safety is not the most advanced.

Powertrain

Specification	Details
Engine	1.2L 3-cyl MIVEC, 76 hp, 100 Nm
Transmission	INVECS-III CVT
Performance	0-100 km/h: 13-14 sec, Top speed: 170 km/h
Fuel Economy	20.4 km/L combined, 16-18 city, 22+ highway
Tank/Range	42 L, 750-850 km range, AED 105 fill-up
Highlights	Smooth CVT city driving, noisy/limited highway power, 3-cyl feel a little vibration

 

Budget Sedan Ownership 

Here's where ownership economics needs a better consideration. 

Service and parts reality: Al Habtoor Motors operates Mitsubishi service centres in major cities, but coverage is thinner than Toyota or Nissan. For routine maintenance, parts are usually in stock. Anything body-related or electronic can take 1-2 weeks from Thailand. Owners have waited 10 days for replacement side mirror assemblies.

Maintenance costs: The first three services run AED 300-400 each, and a major service at 40,000 km costs AED 800-1,000. Brake pads last 50,000-60,000 km. Tyres (185/55R15) cost AED 200-250 each. A CVT fluid change at 80,000 km runs AED 600-700. Insurance is AED 1,200-1,800 annually. making it one of the Lowest Maintenance cars. 

Resale reality: After three years and 75,000 km, expect to recover 55-60% of the purchase price. 

Ideal for daily city commuters doing under 30,000 km annually who plan to drive it for 5+ years. Young professionals who need an affordable and reliable daily driver, and also families who don’t want to spend much on a regular car. 

Who should avoid it: Anyone planning to sell within 2-3 years, or families who need strong highway performance for regular long drives. Also, buyers who want an experience of modern tech and safety systems. Customers who reside in remote areas where Mitsubishi service centres are scarce.

Against the Suzuki Dzire, the Attrage wins on price but loses on dealer network and features. It provides less equipment but more dependability and trust than the Changan Alsvin. Against the Kia Pegas (AED 53,550), you save AED 16,650 upfront, but the Kia has a superior warranty of 7 years/unlimited km vs 5 years/100,000 km and better resale.

So, consider the Attrage worthy if you genuinely don’t have the budget but want to purchase a new car for daily driving without many tech or comfort features. And also consider owning it for more years to feel less impact from the depreciation. 

Conclusion

The Attrage isn't bad at being a car. It's bad at being an investment. Fuel economy is impressive. Reliability is solid. But depreciation eats whatever you save on running costs. For buyers needing the cheapest Japanese sedan with Best Features for Daily Commute with long-term ownership, it makes sense. For everyone else, spending an extra AED 5,000-10,000 for better resale value is probably smarter money.

Also Read: Jetour T2 Safety Review: How Safe Is Jetour’s Off-Road SUV in the UAE?