2017 Mitsubishi Mirage Review: Curbed with Craig Cole

This week Craig Cole evaluates the Mitsubishi Mirage, which is kind of exciting since other journalists haven’t been kind to it. Despite the bad press – or perhaps because of it – this little hatchback has been updated for 2017. Even though it gains a host of noteworthy enhancements the Mirage remains Mitsubishi’s most inexpensive model in the U.S.

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[bryanmartinez]

People: Why doesn't anyone make an affordable car?
Car Manufacturer: *Makes Affordable Car*
People: I WOULDN'T DRIVE THAT WHERE'S THE LEATHER SEATS AND 500 HORSEPOWER!

[palebeachbum]

Still loving my '14 Mirage, now with about 50k miles. It's so far proving to be solidly built, pretty reliable, and very economical to own. Cruising around town I average 41mpg. I find the interior quite comfortable and ride quality impressive for something cheap and tiny. It's proving to be an excellent choice as an around town runabout. If you do any significant amount of highway driving, look at something a bit bigger. Although the Mirage can do the interstate, it's challenged at the task and fuel economy suffers. It's also too ill handling, noisy, and underpowered for interstate duty. It's definitely a city/town car. My only complaint is the defective rear axle that cause rear wheel misalignment. It's a known problem and as far as I know, still exists on the 2017.

[rickyeligio]

For you mirage owners did you have to give a downpayment? I heard a downpayment is not needed when buying one of these

[Samosayummyyay]

43 mpg highway is really mediocre...I got an Toyota Auris Hybrid with 140 WHP and 110 ft lb Torque and it gets around 50mpg on the highway and about 70mpg in town. Mind you, I always floor it at the traffic lights and love pushing it hard! In The Netherlands, an Toyota Auris Hybrid when driven properly is nearly unbeatable by the average drivers, which is very satisfying hehe

[symmetry]

If you buy budget new car, buy the basic as possible. I prefer to drive them in spirited manner, so steering must be sporty feel to it.

[davtv]

All the Youtube reviewers bash this car but every owner loves it. My wife has a 2019 and absolutely loves it. It's not a sport car, it's not a luxury car. It is a well built, commuter car that has a many creature comforts. It gets incredible gas mileage! And don't listen to the "It's under powered and scary to drive" nonsense! I'm 6'4, 230lbs and with my wife in the car it has zero trouble getting up to speed, passing or merging on highways! No problem at all! And don't forget the incredible 10 year 160, 000km warranty! and it looks 100 times better than any fiesta, versa, yaris, micra or any of the other sub compact cars. If you spend most of your time commuting or buzzing around the city you should definitely have a look at the Mirage. You'll be pleasantly surprised!

[kmckenzie]

Awww I love my Mirage so much its an amazing little car!!!

[goldenpenis]

It takes a fine person to appreciate an automobile like this.

[endurorider]

I own a 2015 Mirage and it's been a great car. Reliable, efficient and inexpensive. 26k miles of no problems. My best mpg so far was over 51mpg. Pretty awesome for a non hybrid vehicle.

[kimberlycooper]

I purchased my 2017 Mirage in April 2016. It's a good car, I live in Texas, so the traffic is awful, but I can rely on my lil orange car the gas mileage is great, the warranty is great. When I drive home to Arkansas the ride is smooth, gas mileage is great!! I spent like $20 bucks on gas.. awesome awesome car, I call her Tangy.

[jjstuartonwriting]

I want to buy one as a second car, thrifty, affordable and zippy around town. I don't get why all the hate?

[chunhaylee]

Back in its days the classic air-cooled Beetle was also panned by every critic. Loud. Slow. Weird. Cramped inside. Can't see the edge of the hood, etc, etc. Well guess what- the critics of the day had no idea what they were talking about. The classic Beetle had one of the most elegant designs of that era and developed a loyal following all over the world. It proved to be one of the most durable and fixable cars of all times.

[blackoutstudio]

The Mirage was built for a simple purpose, affordable, reliable, fuel efficient, and practical. For people who don’t have a lot of money, and for people who just need a car for commuting, or to go to work.

[gejuje]

You do get pretty tired of these reviewers. Facts. The Mirage is extremely reliable, extremely fuel efficient. We use cars to drive in, so that`s what we go for. 97% of buyers are more than pleased with them. Stick to reviewing race cars

[yrlye]

I bought a 2015 new for like $11k last year. There is nothing wrong with it at all. The seats are more comfortable than my Fusion. I prefer not to feel the road when steering, feels like my Grand Marquis in that repect. I find it comfortable to drive and the front is plenty roomy. It's not as rough riding as a lot of these smaller cars. This guy has no clue what he's talking about other than the engine is somewhat noisy and it's not that fast. Still if you want to take a long road trip and barely use any gas it is quite good.

[ukaszgotszald]

Do you laugh at everything that is slower than GTR?

[KhrissyDaDon]

I never really listen to journalists, people are going to buy whatever they want at the end of the day... Mitsubishi has no problem moving Mirages off the lot, so they did something right.

[kmckenzie]

I own a 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage ES CVT that we purchased new and now has 13, 500 miles on it and we love it. I wanted a small car that was loaded with options that larger cars get and my Mirage came packed with those features and options and was perfect. We got the top trim ES with CVT and the optional Navigation & Back Up Camera Package, Chrome Package, Cargo Package, Exterior Appearance Package, Front & Rear Park Assist Package, and many more Accessories. All the other cars in the class I looked at cost alot more when loaded out ($2, 000.00 to $4, 000.00 more) and you could not get alot of the features that the Mirage offered.

For example even the base trim had Auto Climate Control (2017 has manual controls), AC, PW, PL, PM, AM FM CD and Ipod Hook Up. On top of all this you get the 10 year 100, 000 mile warranty and 37 city and 44 highway mpg and 40 combined. I average 43 in the city and 47 on the highway but can top 50 if careful. Every owner for the most part exceeds what Mitsu claims for MPG.

One owner on KBB has an Owner Review of their 2014 Mirage ES CVT and it has over 220, 000 miles on it with only normal maintenance and wear and tear no issues to speak of (included picture in the review showing the odometer). Mitsubishi has made 3 cylinders for quite a long time and this engine will last! The nice thing about this 1.2L MIVEC Engine is that it is a basic design with very little to go wrong and runs on 0W20 Synthetic which will enusre it a long trouble free life. I personally know 3 Mirage owners including myself and in the 1-3 years of ownership there have been no issues reported besides normal stuff.

Sure these cars are not fast, not overly refined and do not handle like a sports car. But they are reliable, roomy, fuel efficient, feature packed, with a great warranty and have created a cult like following among their owners which is hard to do! I have owned all my cars new but a few (2010 Kia Soul, 2013 Hyundai Elantra, 2008 Hyundai Sonata, 2005 Chevy Cavalier, 2003 Hyundai Accent, 2002 Kia Rio) and never have I wanted the same car again but with the Mirage now it is the only car I will purchase from this day forward. There is just something about them that makes you really enjoy the little car (you have to own one to know what I mean) and all its quirks. So do yourself a favor and go drive one. Dave gave a nice fair review of these cars I must say.

[vincent]

You should have known in the first place that it isn't a sport car. My family owns a Mirage and they love it. It's great for city ride.

[pryme]

NO ONE pays msrp! I own two of these, both with the manual and picked them up for under 11k each. One thing I didnt do before buying was watch silly online reviews and I'm glad for that. And both of mine are the SE so they have all the upgrades except the 15" wheels, hid and heated seats. I have my own reviews on my channel by an actual owner.