Flash Drive

Flash Drive 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4

November 2, 2016 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 SE four-door sedan

The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage is small on the outside, but big inside. It's little 1.2-L engine delivers big fuel economy.
The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage is small on the outside, but big inside. It’s little 1.2-L engine delivers big fuel economy.

Engine: 1.2-liter 3-cylinder, 78 horsepower 74 lb-ft torque

Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 35 mpg city/42 mpg highway/37 mpg combined

Base Price: $16,995

As Tested: $17,830

Performance:

Impressive fuel economy for a non-hybrid

Our best was 43.8-mpg highway

Lethargic, low on horsepower

15-inch alloy wheels

The 15-inch alloy wheels are handsome, but larger ones would improve the car's overall styling.
The 15-inch alloy wheels are handsome, but larger ones would improve the car’s overall styling.

Eco mode

Hill Start Assist

Comfort:

Soft, but supportive seats

Two temperature heated front seats

Manually adjustable lower driver cushion height

Good front legroom, but not stretch-out

Very good shoe room under dash for passenger

Excellent headroom

Flocked headliner

Plastic dashboard and door panels

Big adults fit in back seat with fronts all back

The front seats are soft, but quite supportive.
The front seats are soft, but quite supportive.

Big, soft center armrest with two cupholders

Low rear floor hump

Utility:

Good trunk space: 12.3 cubic feet

Wide trunk opening, flat floor

Medium size, but cheap sunvisors

No center console or storage bin

Two cupholders in front of shifter

Big glovebox, but no lock

Medium front door bins with bottle notches

No rear door bins

Semi-thick, mildly contoured leather steering wheel

The Mirage rear seat is roomy enough for big adults.
The Mirage rear seat is roomy enough for big adults.

Tilt steering column

Minimal auxiliary controls

Central analog speedometer

Small tachometer to left of speedo

Power side mirrors

Auto dimming rear mirror

Rear view camera

One large cloth seatback pouch

WOW Factors:

Incredible fuel economy for a non-hybrid

A new car at a used car price

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Room for large adults in back seat

Whines:

Rear seat doesn’t fold which limits cargo flexibility

The trunk is spacious, but the lack of a folding rear seat limits cargo flexibility.
The trunk is spacious, but the lack of a folding rear seat limits cargo flexibility.

No center console or storage bin

Tilt steering has minimal adjustment

Behaves like a 78-hp car

Substantial highway road noise

No liner on trunk lid

No rear door bins

Bottom Line:

The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 SE has a great deal to offer at a bargain price. It’s very roomy inside and gets outstanding fuel economy. Plenty of corners were cut to make the price point, but a new car with a fine warranty is an attractive alternative to a used car.