Mitsubishi Mirage 2020 Car Review

While the Mirage has been around for over four decades, the current generation was first released back in 2013, and the 2020 model is its second facelift. There are some minor refreshes done to its exterior, but the main changes are related to safety – some key driver assist features have been added to help protect drivers on the road.

Starting from just $19,990 (+ORC), the Mirage could be worth considering if power isn’t at the top of your list of requirements, and if you aren’t fussed by all the latest mod cons.

One of the main benefits you receive, as you do with almost all new Mitsubishi cars, is a 10 year (or 160,000km) Powertrain Warranty, as well as a 5 year (or 130,000km) New Vehicle Warranty.

On the inside

Unlike other countries, the Mirage is available in just one trim specification in NZ – the XLS. Fortunately for us, this is a variant at the higher end, meaning it has a slightly sportier look thanks to some shiny 15-inch alloy wheels.

As it’s just an update and not an all new-car, not much has changed on the outside, but there is a much larger ‘Dynamic Shield’ front grille that helps make the car look undeniably Mitsubishi when compared to its larger siblings. Halogen headlights and daytime running lights are also part of the refresh. The rear has been tweaked, too, with the reflectors being spun 90-degrees to give the hatch some sharp, box-like styling. There are also some imitation rear diffusers to complete the sportier image.

As you might expect, the Mirage is quite basic on the inside, but that doesn’t mean it’s an unpleasant place to be. One of the first things you might notice is the lack of a start/stop button, which is commonplace now in new cars. The seats are finished in patterned cloth, and are comfortable enough for shorter trips.

Some faux carbon trim has found its way onto the doors that helps to modernise the car and bring the sporty feel inside, and controls on the steering wheel allow you to traverse through your music collection, answer phone calls and set the cruise control.

The 7-inch touch-activated infotainment screen allows for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality via the single USB input, and your favourite tunes comes through a tame four-speaker system.  

For its size, the Mirage has a generous luggage capacity of 235 litres with the rear seats up, or 599 litres with them down. 

On the road

The Mitsubishi Mirage isn’t going to break any performance records, but it has a few tricks up its sleeve.

It’s by no means thirsty thanks to a 1.2L MIVEC three-cylinder engine. This produces just 58kW and 102Nm, and is paired to an automatic CVT transmission.

It’s a great city car, and on longer journeys you’ll benefit greatly from a superb fuel economy rating of 5.0L/100km. The Mirage is 3,845mm long and 1,665 wide, and has a wheel base of just 2,450mm. This results in an enviable turning circle of 9.2m (kerb to kerb), which is another attribute that makes the Mirage a great car for navigating around urban areas.

One of the most important factors when buying a car is the safety features and the Mirage now boasts Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), and Hill Start Assist. There’s also a reversing camera to help with your parking, although the full Parking Assist Kit is a $1,150 optional extra.

The Mitsubishi Mirage received a five-star ANCAP rating in 2013 upon its initial release.

What's it up against?

To learn how the Mirage stacks up against its nearest competitors, check out our recent article on the AA Motoring Blog which lists the cheapest new cars in New Zealand.

The entry-level Suzuki Swift and the Kia Picanto cost slightly more and slightly less than the Mirage respectively, and the Honda Jazz S is a sensible choice for a buyer looking for a slightly more premium car with increased luggage capacity.

Verdict

The Mitsubishi Mirage has been a good little car since it was released (in its current form) in 2013, and after two facelifts, Mitsubishi has added some much-needed safety systems to help increase the desirability of its nifty hatch.

If you have a budget of around $20,000 for a used car, it’s certainly worth considering looking at the  bottom end of the new car market, as you’re able to benefit from owning a brand new vehicle.

And it’s not all about that new car smell. You might not know this, but new cars are granted with a three-year Warrant of Fitness upon purchase and, combined with Mitsubishi’s Diamond Advantage Warranty, you have some added peace of mind that you wouldn’t necessarily have when buying a used hatch for the same price.

If you’re in the market for an affordable new car, then the Mirage is an excellent package that should certainly be on your shortlist.

Safety systems

• Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Hill Start Assist
• Reversing Camera with Display
• Smart Brake & Brake Assist
• Airbags - Driver, Passenger, Side and Curtain

Find out more on how the AA can help you when buying a new car:

• AA Money - aa.co.nz/money
• AA Insurance - aa.co.nz/insurance
• AA Car Reviews - aa.co.nz/car-reviews
• AA Running Cost Reports - aa.co.nz/runningcosts

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