The Mitsubishi hatchback SA wants – The MIRAGE
Not all cars are made to drag race or win coveted design awards but that’s exactly the point. The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage may not drive like a Golf GTI or look like the Audi R8 but it does offer exceptional value for money.
Currently, the Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the most affordable cars in North America and it could be a welcome addition to South Africa. However, there is no information suggesting it would ever come to our shores but it makes sense if it did.
Mitsubishi Mirage Pricing
With a starting price of $14,000 (approximately R200,000*), the base-trim Mitsubishi Mirage offers many technologies and comfort features you’d expect from a more expensive model. As standard, the Mitsubishi Mirage gets air conditioning, Bluetooth, seven airbags (including front seat-side), a reverse camera and LED taillights. The more exclusive Mirage ES also gets electric windows and mirrors, a larger infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android.
On the upper end of the scale, at $20,150 (approximately R292,000*) the Mitsubishi Mirage GT gets even more. In addition to all the standard features from the other models, it comes with lane-keep assist, front collision avoidance, LED headlights, automatic high-beams, heated seats, heated steering and larger 15-inch wheels.
Even in America’s market dominated by luxury pickups and SUVs, the Mitsubishi Mirage stands out in more ways than one. Its design is simplistic but modern without trying too hard and the value for money is sublime. It does everything you’d expect from modern cars but without the anxiety of buying second-hand. Just another reason why the Mitsubishi Mirage would be perfect for South Africa.
Mitsubishi Mirage Specifications And Performance
This review focuses on base-trim Mitsubishi Mirage ES with a 5-speed manual gearbox and the Mitsubishi Mirage SE with the more efficient CVT. All Mitsubishi Mirage hatchbacks get power from a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine generating 78 horsepower and 100.3Nm of torque.
It may not sound like a lot but considering how light the Mirage is, there’s ample power for urban streets and overtaking on the highway. Driving the CVT is a smooth, comfortable experience where it keeps the engine down around 2,000 rpm in most conditions which helps keep fuel consumption, noise, and engine vibrations low.
The manual Mirage encourages you to rev things up a little but it doesn’t use too much extra fuel. Because the clutch is no heavier than the brake pedal, driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic is not at all challenging. The way the clutch has been designed simplifies the driving experience by making things more accessible, especially when your legs get tired.
On paper, the manual gets 7.1 l/100km in urban environments and an impressive 5.8 l/100km on the highway. The Mitsubishi Mirage CVT model is even better, delivering Canada’s best non-hybrid fuel economy with figures of 6.6 l/100km (urban) and 5.6 l/100km (highway). Even with the air conditioning on full blast, the Mirage showed impressive economy figures.
With an average of 6.5 l/100 km in the most common configuration, the Mitsubishi Mirage is not far off from a hybrid but without the added cost or complexity. Besides the price, another added benefit is the reassurance of Mitsubishi’s unmatched 10-year 160,000 km powertrain and 5-year, 100,000 km basic warranties (in America).
What About Space And Build Quality?
Even with passengers, the Mitsubishi Mirage shows ample front and rear legroom with a smooth ride, easy steering and a tight turning circle. The boot is deep with 484 litres of space, perfect for weekly groceries, school goodies or golf clubs. But there is even more storage space, thanks to the 60/40 splitting rear seats which yields 1,331 litres when folded down.
The Mitsubishi Mirage may be a compact car but it’s reliable, affordable and safe. It has everything you need to travel safely and in relative comfort on short or longer journeys. It’s a simple, lightweight, efficient, and comfortable no-frills run-around that personifies basic transportation in its purest form. It’s not built like a Jaguar nor does it drive like a Rolls-Royce but that’s not the intention.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is officially an ‘entry-level’ car but it’s so much more than that. Not only does it make the perfect first-time car for students and young professionals but the sheer value for money means the Mirage could attract an even bigger audience for longer.
For a surprisingly low cost, the Mitsubishi Mirage offers buyers a new, modern car with excellent fuel economy, exceptional warranties and comfort for up to four-passenger comfort. We don’t know about you but this sounds appealing regardless of where you are in life.
In conclusion, the Mitsubishi Mirage is a car for people who don’t feel the need to impress or make a statement. It has everything you need and more at a price very few of its closest competitors can match, especially considering what you get as standard.
At the moment, it seems highly unlikely that South Africa will ever get the Mitsubishi Mirage but it’s interesting to see what’s out there. Maybe this will change one day but until then, visit our digital showroom for a closer look at our wide selection of new and quality pre-owned vehicles.
* Pricing calculated on the dollar-ZAR exchange rate as at July 2021.
