Review - Mitsubishi Mirage

If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful hatchback, the Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the best options on the market, offering a surprising amount of equipment backed by the leading warranty program in Australia. 

In its latest form, the value for money proposition has been made even more appealing, as the Mirage fights off its affordable hatchback rivals like the MG MG3, Skoda Fabia, Fiat 500, Kia Picanto, and the Suzuki Swift and Suzuki Baleno. 

With its fierce competitors in mind, just how does the Mitsubishi Mirage stack up as a value for money proposition within Australia’s affordable hatchback market? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $14,990

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Mitsubishi Mirage (LB MY22) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Mitsubishi Mirage car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Mitsubishi Mirage lineup kicks off from $14,990 for the entry-level Mirage ES manual, while the Mirage ES CVT automatic is priced at $16,490. Finally, the range-topping Mirage LS CVT auto is priced at $17,490. 

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs. 

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What Features Does the Mitsubishi Mirage Have?

The entry-level Mitsubishi Mirage ES comes riding on a set of 14-inch steel wheels, and receives a reversing camera, power windows, air conditioning, adjustable steering wheel, autonomous emergency braking, powered windows and a 7.0-inch infotainment system fitted with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB+ radio paired with a two-speaker sound system. 

Stepping up to the Mirage LS adds 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, LED headlights, tail lights and daytime running lamps, halogen fog lights, climate control, lane-departure warnings, automatic high-beam assistance, and an upgraded four-speaker sound system.  

Range Features: 

• 14-inch steel wheels 

• Reversing camera 

• Air Conditioning 

• Adjustable steering wheel 

• Power windows 

• Autonomous emergency braking 

• 7.0-inch infotainment system 

• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB+ radio 

• 15-inch alloys (Mirage LS) 

• Cruise control (Mirage LS) 

• LED headlights (Mirage LS) 

• LED tail lights (Mirage LS) 

• LED daytime running lamps (Mirage LS) 

• Halogen fog lights (Mirage LS) 

• Climate control (Mirage LS) 

• Lane-departure warnings (Mirage LS) 

• Upgraded four-speaker sound system (Mirage LS) 

Mitsubishi Mirage Colours

The Mitsubishi Mirage is available in a choice of seven colours, including White, Sand Yellow, Black, Cyber Blue, Wine Red, Cool Silver and Red Planet. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

The Mitsubishi Mirage takes a back-to-basics approach to motoring that is actually quite charming after some time behind the wheel. 

Power is supplied by a tiny little 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 57kW of power and 100Nm of torque, with power put to the front wheels via a five-speed manual or CVT automatic that behaves like one long gear, making for a smooth drivetrain. 

While this engine doesn’t offer much power on paper, the compact proportions make it feel as though you’re piloting an agile little go-kart around town that is constantly keen to pick up speed when pushed, and while it lacks a heap of power, it remains a lot more fun behind the wheel than cars significantly more expensive than the Mirage. 

Around town, the lightweight steering rack and compact wheelbase mean that the Mirage is a pleasure to drive through town and city streets, and is a P-plater’s dream when it comes to navigating tight streets and squeezing into car parks. 

The ride quality is acceptable, given that the Mirage receives a fairly basic suspension setup that is more suited to smooth city streets than it is on rougher country B-roads, but it remains a reliable companion for long-distance road trips if needed. 

As a complete package, the Mirage meets its design brief when it comes to user-friendly motoring while offering impressive fuel economy and even safety credentials that we’ll cover later in this review. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

As you can imagine, the Mirage isn’t a game-changer when it comes to interior space and practicality, given that its platform is the smallest that Mitsubishi makes. 

For the majority of buyers, though, this is unlikely to be a huge concern because you know what you’re getting with a car the size of the Mirage. Having said that, though, the Mirage passes the all-important headroom test for tall drivers, while the adjustable steering wheel gives the cockpit some flexibility for drivers of different sizes. 

There’s a great view out of the windscreen that isn’t obstructed by the dashboard, while the interior design itself is incredibly simple, housing the infotainment screen and climate settings in the middle of the dash. 

Practical elements include a pair of cup holders, sizable door bins either side of the cabin, a small storage area for smartphones behind the gear lever, a wide storage area in front of the passenger’s seat and a compact glovebox. 

Move to the rear of the cabin and you’ll find a very limited amount of legroom for tall adults, although the rear of the Mirage’s cabin is perfectly fine for kids and even older teenagers that don’t need to stretch their legs out, while there’s an impressive amount of headroom for its size. 

The rear of the Mirage also features two ISOFIX anchor points that can accommodate a pair of child seats, with rear-facing child seats receiving top tether mounts to help secure them in the cabin. 

Finally, the Mirage comes packed with a boot that can accommodate up to 235L of cargo with the rear seats standing, which expands to 599L with the second row folded, which is pretty much on par for the segment and adds to the versatility of the little Mirage. 

Is it Safe? 

The Mitsubishi Mirage has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, returning an overall score of 34.07 out of 37. 

As standard, the Mirage comes packaged with autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and a rear-view camera, while the range-topping Mirage LS receives lane-departure warnings which is a welcomed addition for long-distance road trips. 

While safety was a huge concern for compact city cars like the Mirage, the addition of some active safety technologies is a welcomed inclusion for any parents looking for a first car for their teenager. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine powering the Mirage range is relatively fuel-efficient given its small capacity, with the manual Mirage variant returning a combined cycle figure of 4.7L per 100km, while the CVT automatic is rated at 5.0L per 100km on a combined cycle. 

Our Verdict: Is the Mitsubishi Mirage Worth it?

With all things considered, the Mitsubishi Mirage range presents Australian buyers with an undeniably attractive value for money proposition which is only made sweeter by the addition of some extra safety equipment. 

While it’s not the most sophisticated or smooth car on the road today, the Mirage remains true to its design brief, offering buyers a heap of value and a refreshingly back-to-basics approach to daily commuting that becomes endearing after time. 

Factor in Mitsubishi’s industry-leading 10-year warranty coverage and the generous equipment lists for the price, it’s impossible to walk past the Mirage if you’re in the market for an affordable hatchback. 

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. 10-year/200,000km warranty if serviced within Mitsubishi network 
2. 10-years capped-price servicing available 
3. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 
4. 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine across the range 
5. Autonomous emergency braking and rear-view camera as standard 

Pros 

• Market-leading 10-year warranty coverage 
• Generous equipment lists for the price 
• User-friendly steering around town; easy to park 

Cons

• Limited second-row legroom 
• Cheap interior design & trim elements 

OnlineAuto Rating: 8.5/10

Mitsubishi Mirage Competition