2024 Mitsubishi Mirage: Is It FINALLY Better?

With rumors swirling about Mitsubishi giving it the axe, the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage is still as bland as ever — but there are still some central bragging points that will no doubt keep minimalistic, eco-minded buyers coming back for more. With the same whiney 1.2L 3-cylinder engine making just 78hp and 74lb ft of torque, the Mirage has the distinction of being the only new car for sale in America with a double digit horsepower rating. It’s also one of (if not, THE) cheapest new car for sale, starting at $16,995 for the ES model and rising to just over $20,000 for the top of the line SE trim (a mid-level LE and Black Edition trim, the most aesthetically pleasing of them all, are also available). The Mirage’s biggest selling point is its 39MPG combined EPA rating, and the fact that it can be had as either a sedan (the Mirage G4) or a 5 door hatchback. The sedan has 3” more legroom in the rear but keeps the same engine and trim options. Our test car was an ES hatchback, complete with 14” wheels and hubcaps. It’s as basic as basic gets but does boast standard forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a killer 10 year/100K mile warranty, and automatic climate control. For 2024, the LE trim & above gain auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers and a driver's armrest. The interior is seriously outdated and full of cheap plastic, underwhelming design and lackluster materials; all things you might perhaps expect on a subcompact econobox but still rather shocking at first meeting. For comparison, the Mirage’s only real remaining competitor, the Nissan Versa, only costs a few thousand dollars more and bests the Mirage in nearly every category, including power, options, design and overall fit and finish on the interior. In the end, the Mirage is decent for basic A to B transportation, and has low maintenance/operation costs. For some drivers, that’s all they need. What do YOU think? ****************************************************************************** HUGE THANKS TO THE TEAM AT PLATINUM MITSUBISHI FOR LENDING ME THE CAR FOR TODAY'S REVIEW! Platinum Mitsubishi 6039 Carlisle Pike Mechanicsburg, PA https://platinummitsubishimechanicsbu...