2015 Mitsubishi Mirage - Review and Road Test

The Mitsubishi Mirage is an exceedingly cheap little hatchback. Does it muster enough pleasantness to make that cheapness bearable? Kelley Blue Book's Micah Muzio investigates in this video.

For the latest Mitsubishi Mirage pricing, reviews and vehicle information:

Kelley Blue Book is your source for car reviews, road tests, new car launches, auto show videos and infotainment reviews. Subscribe to catch all the latest Kelley Blue Book video reviews.

[Mookaton]

Sooo my wife bought one. She didn't tell me about it until she brought it home for good reason, I would have talked her out of it for sure. With that being said, I'm impressed. That 74hp number is tough to swallow, but honestly it's enough for the size of the car. I drove it for a couple days and didn't once have any problems with acceleration, merging on the highway or passing. It's perfect for the driving she does.

That seems to go against alot of the youtube reviews, so I'm happy about that.

The 3cyl engine actually made me crack a smile, it has that odd cyl rumble to it, reminded me of the way the old VW bugs sounded. imo it sounds better than most 4cyl.

My only issue with the car is what he pointed out with the steering not snapping back to center. That did not feel good at all. However, I did get used to it very quickly.

If you need a cheap car to get around, don't like paying for gas... This is a no brainer. Currently it's getting 42mpg and almost all of that (I'd say 90%) is in town miles.

As far as ride quality, it's very good considering price and 14" wheels.

In short, I've found most reviews on here are just plain wrong in a few areas. Test drive one and decide.

[illiniguy]

Mitsubishi Mirage, it's nicer than riding the bus. That should be its slogan.

[casmatori]

Come on KBB. Wake up and smell the coffee. Someone who even looks at buying this IS NOT worried about "How fun it is to drive" or "How much power it has". This car is meant for people who are sitting in 35mph freeway traffic day after day after day on their way to work. It's perfect for commuters whom I'd suggest would probably have a "better" car at home and use this for going to work in. It ain't half bad.

[Rynne_]

I think it sounds like a good starter car. I'm a teenager just getting my license and looking to buy and though maybe not the best out there, this looks like the perfect car to start off with. It has a good warranty, it's affordable, and it'll definitely help me park a lot more easily than a lot of other cars.

[fanfare]

I own one. I love it. The 44 miles per gallon it advertises is severely understated. I consistently get ~50 miles per gallon on the way to and from work and I'm not even driving it on the highway. It's all back country roads. On a good day I got 54 miles per gallon! And it's not even a hybrid!! And it costs 1/3 the price of a hybrid! For $12, 500 base price I was able to afford to dude it up with front, rear and side spoilers, a chrome package, a CVT and keyless entry with Bluetooth. If I'm running on fumes and I fill 'er up it costs me a whopping $25! The stereo is good with a good dynamic range. I play my Pandora on it from my cellphone wirelessly and the artist and song names display on the dash. I got the metallic red one. Its surprisingly spacious inside. I'm _very_ happy. :-D

[crisissocoylike]

In Mexico, where it's very common for people to drive around old VW cars, there's a popular bumper sticker: "This is better than walking!"

[stevensales]

Great price, great warranty, great mpg. much better then buying someone else's used and abused cars

[deniscoleman]

6 years on and i've done 167000km without a single mechanical failure and i still get down to 4.5 litres per 100km. I'm 6'1" and i still have leg room to spare. The biggest surprise is not how slow it is to take off at the lights which is pretty average (unless you don't care about the fuel economy) but the fact you can boot the car at 100km/h and manage to overtake easily, before i knew it i was doing 130km/h.

[lynellajordan]

I bought this car in 2015 new and in that exact same color. I have LOVE, LOVE, LOVED it. It took me on a month-long trip to New Orleans and back to Riverside CA, about a 5, 000-mile trip. Next, I took it on a 6-week trip to Puyallup, WA and back. About a 4, 000-mile trip. I am currently at 73, 000 miles and this is when the more expensive repairs start, but that's okay. I wanted a green car, and this was the least expensive and had the best gas mileage. I have had 4 people in my car many times. The back seats are roomy if there are only 4 people as shown. When I test drove it, I got on the freeway ramp, which almost always rises up, and floored it. It has get up and go, but you do have to decide if you can beat the 18-wheeler or need to get behind it. LOL. I actually would buy this car again, but maybe with a backup camera.

[rehnbowz]

I just got the plasma purple Mirage and i must say im completely in LOVE !

[stevejohnson]

What a terrible review. This car is awesome. Cheap...best mpg..and a great standard package. WTF Is this guy's problem?

[gboost]

Its funny how people try knock this car. Look at the sales this lil champ is receiving world wide. Granted the suspension is soft/body roll/and it might not be the fastest or prettiest. The appeal of the car is low cost/safety/and mpgs. Im enjoying averaging 48 on highways and ive taken the car to get a lil over 51 on long commutes. Im in the process in stiffening the suspension. Im more than happy with the car.

[gmlasam]

I don't know why people are criticizing this car. This car is just your standard from A to Point B car. Its cheap and gives great gas mileage thats comparable to a hybrid. I pay $110 a month, not bad for a car note payment, not a lease. Most of you probably pay more than that for your cellphone plan.

[tiapc]

I test drove one, I really liked it, and it was fun to drive.  The reviewer is just spoiled. I had no trouble accelerating in the automatic. What I liked it how accessible it was to change headlight bulb.  On my Corolla, you have to remove the car battery to get to the bulb.  Car looks nicer in person.  

[ronaldderooij]

I own a luxury version Mirage with CVT. I can relate to some of the criticism here. But the Mirage is a rational car. I find the points of criticism not very important. My over all impression is very good. But I too have things I would have liked better:
1. The seats are slightly too hard
2. The rear suspension does not like fast bumps
3. The steering is precise, but gives no feedback at all.
4. The electric power steering resists very fast turning the steering wheel.
5 The front alloy wheels need cleaning every week.
6. Wheel arches noise insulation only fitted on upmarket trims (which I fortunately have)
7. The car does not involve you in any way with the driving. Car jounalists find this a negative point. I call it relaxed cruising.
8. The headrests are too much to the front. I almost have to tilt my head downwards if I do not want to touch them with the back of my head. Very, very annoying.

There are 100 positive points. If I would mention them all, this would be a lengthy comment. The most important:
1. Gas mileage.
2. CVT automatic is a dream, very intelligent design, but not on a WRC rally stage.
3. It is really extremely quiet, even at high speed (upmarket versions only)
4.The road holding is superb, you could go on a WRC rally stage easily with that.
5. Never saw so many electronic aid systems in one car  to keep you safe on the road, let alone in one that is so cheap!
6. 7 airbags and 4 stars in Euro NCAP test.
7. Excellent headlights in the dark, I think the best with old fashioned halogen headlights.
8. Automatic wipers and automatic lights work just as I would do manually.
9. The Stereo is fantastic quality for a subcompact.
10 The brakes feel as if they are precision instruments.

One subjective point. The car grows on you. You will be appreciating it better and better with time.

[theramblingzone]

I bought a 2018 Mirage a couple months back. LOVE the car. If you want a sports car, this is NOT the car for you. If you want a new car at used car price, MPG at 45 or higher with mixed driving and is cheap to insure, this care IS for you.

[luiggimondoli]

Hahaha. Dude you are hilarious! It's like a 10 years old review. You can't ask a horse to climb a tree or ride a monkey. The Mirage is an excellent efficient affordable city commuter, it's a smart buy. If you complain about space, luxurious features or power on this car go get a Chevy Suburban.

[ijosef]

I loved my 1991 Suzuki Swift (basically the same as a Geo Metro for those of you unfamiliar with the model), so this goofy little car is right up my alley.

[jazziered]

I have had my Mirage for 8 years and I love it. It gets me where I need to go. I live in the Salt Lake Valley, I have taken it to So Cal three times, Yellowstone, Northern Idaho more than once, all over southern UT to tour the national parks, Dallas TX.... I took it up to Strawberry and I got 50 miles to the freaking gallon. Yeah, when everyone was crying about gas prices, I was laughing. :) BUT I think it's cute. I love my car.

[Clesarie]

I bought one and I love it. It is the car im proud to show off. I've of course got other cars. I have a 98 gst and a 06 evo IX. Sometimes I dont wanna spend $30 on gas every 2 days. The mirage is plenty comfortable, drives and handled decent and with a 5 speed manual is more than ample in fun. Plus i've already got a whole list of parts coming in. Struts all around, Headers, intake and a ecu reflash for an additional  17hp on yeah :P.