Overview
Despite its name, the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage is no optical illusion. It’s real, and it’s among the last subcompact hatchbacks still available (we review the Mirage’s sedan counterpart, the Mirage G4, separately). With a starting price of less than $20,000, the Mirage is also one of the cheapest new cars sold today, and even in base form Mitsubishi’s budget-friendly hatch includes a lengthy list of standard tech and convenience features, including automatic climate control, a forward collision warning system with automatic braking, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. That said, the Mirage is a rather disappointing vehicle: it’s slow, not especially comfortable, and its interior feels chintzier than a watch from TK Jewelers. Much as a mirage taunts the dehydrated desert wanderer, the Mirage teases consumers in search of a reasonably well-equipped new vehicle on a budget. Unfortunately, it’s like discovering that the desert oasis out in the distance is indeed mere heat waves; the Mirage looks like a great deal from afar but its value quickly vaporizes upon closer inspection.
What’s New for 2024?
Mitsubishi adds more features to the mid-level Mirage LE for 2024, including a driver-seat-mounted center armrest, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and automatic headlights. Meanwhile, Graphite Gray and Jet Black replace last year’s Mercury Gray and Mystic Black.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The Mirage makes the most sense in entry-level ES guise, as moving up the trim ladder puts the hatchback in contention with a number of similarly priced and far better vehicles from competitors. Though it’s the least expensive way to get into a Mirage, the ES trim is reasonably well equipped for the segment, and it comes standard with the likes of cruise control, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and an automatic climate control system.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
With a mere 78 horsepower, the Mirage’s 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine lacks the oomph to properly push the barely 2100-pound hatchback about town, let alone on the highway. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard across the board, and it only exacerbates the little car’s uninspired nature. Blame the transmission’s tendency to hold the engine at higher revs in a vain attempt to make the most of its limited power. The resulting drone makes the Mirage’s straight-line acceleration seem even more tedious than it is—and it is tedious. We estimate the Mirage needs nearly 11 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph, during which a barrage of uncouth engine noise pummels the cabin.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
According to the EPA, the Mitsubishi Mirage’s fuel economy comes in at an estimated 36 mpg city and 43 mpg highway. If high fuel efficiency from a strictly gas-powered vehicle is what you’re after, then the Mirage’s numbers are hard to beat. For more information about the Mirage’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Mirage is among the cheapest new cars sold today, and its interior reflects this. Hard plastic abounds, and the cabin’s design is as plain as an unsalted rice cake. None of the five seats are particularly comfortable, but those up front at least have reasonable legroom. The three-across rear bench features a flat bottom, while the rear quarters offer barely enough useable space for two, let alone three, passengers. Cargo space is reasonable given the Mirage’s size, and popping the rear hatch reveals a 17-cubic-foot hold with all seats in place. Fold the 60/40-split rear seat backs and that figure expands to 47 cubes.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay comes standard on all Mirages. Bluetooth connectivity and a four-speaker audio system are also standard.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Even the bottom of the barrel Mirage ES includes automatic emergency braking. Stepping up to the top-of-the-line Mirage SE, meanwhile, adds lane-departure warning and automatic high-beam headlamps to the table. Still, more advanced driver-assistance features are missing from the entire Mirage line. For more information about the Mirage’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Available lane-departure warning
- Available automatic high-beam headlights
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Mitsubishi offers one of the best warranties in the business. The Mirage’s coverage leaves warranties by rivals like the Nissan Versa in the dust.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary maintenance
