Mitsubishi Mirage

Overview

The Mitsubishi Mirage is definitely one of the most widely preferred mini cars in the Middle East, thanks to its amazing design and pocket-friendly price tag. It is counted among the entry-level cars and comes as a perfect option for first-time buyers.

However, despite being a very affordable car, it does not appear to be so due to its attractive design and feature-rich spec-sheet. Everything about the car is so amazing that more often than not, it is considered over its competitors, which are basically Chevrolet Spark, Toyota Yaris hatchback and the small Nissan Micra. Plus, it turns out to be the most affordable option among them despite being equally or better featured.

Interior & Features

Once you enter the cabin, you will notice that the number of features is quite high. The dashboard has a CD player which is designed with a unique panel. However, there are USB and FM connectivity options too. There is a total of six speakers given on the top trims and the audio controls can be done with the help of the multi-function steering wheel.

The steering wheel is a three-spoke unit and is wrapped in leather. The leather covers are given for the gear knob too. However, for the seat upholstery, fabric seat covers are given as standard. The rear row can be folded to make more room for luggage.

Exterior

When it comes to the design, not many mini hatchbacks can take the game away from Mitsubishi Mirage. It has the luxurious-looking front fascia which is donned by a lot of chrome embellishment and the company’s signature thin grille. The headlamps are swept back and there are projector units with DRLs. Lower down, the lip section has a strip of chrome connecting the two fog lamp housings.

Move to the rear and you will be greeted by an equally amazing and attractive outlook. The tailgate is well contoured and the registration license place is placed on the bumper. There is also a very prominent rear roof spoiler given to complete the classy design.

Ride & Handling

Since the Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the lightest cars in the mini hatchback segment, it makes for a delightful driving experience. The 15-inch alloy wheels (top-end), with 175-section tires, offer good grip on the road, if not great. The MacPherson Strut suspension up front and Torsion Beam at the rear makes for a good ride even if you come across a stretch of bumpy road.

Despite having a small engine under the hood, the car can hit a top speed of around 170 kmph.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

Once we get to the mechanical details, we notice that Mitsubishi has taken every possible step to make the Mirage one of the most fuel-efficient cars in the segment. As a result, there is a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine under the hood which makes 78 PS of power at 6,000 rpm along with a peak torque of 100 Nm, coming at 4,000 rpm. Power is sent down to the wheels via a CVT (continuously variable transmission) gearbox.

The car happens to be one of the lightest vehicles in the segment, which further enhances the performance and boosts the overall fuel efficiency. It returns with a fuel efficiency or around 21 kmpl, which is the best among most of the alternatives.

Braking & Safety

The Mitsubishi Mirage is pretty high on the safety concerns. As for the braking, there are ventilated discs up front and drums at the rear. This is enhanced with the help of ABS, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist.

For the safety of the passengers, there are two airbags for the front driver and passenger. Apart from this, for the assistance of the driver, features like hill start assist, active stability control, and vehicle immobilizer are installed. There are three-point ELR seatbelts for all the four occupants while there is a small lap belt for the rear center.

Verdict

As the common notion goes, the Mitsubishi Mirage is definitely a value-for-money car that is very feature-rich, despite being very affordable. Plus, though the engine output figures seem to be meager, other aspects like the handling and aerodynamics cover up for it, big time.