The 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage proves that you do not need to limit yourself to a used car in order to get an affordable vehicle with the features you love. This auto is affordable in multiple ways, from its low starting price to its excellent fuel economy and long-lasting warranty. Even so, it has everything you truly need so you will not feel as if you sacrificed features to save money on your budget-friendly vehicle.
Savings from the Start
Right from the start, you will save money with the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage, as the starting MSRP can be under $15,000. Because of its small size, the Mirage can get up to 37 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway, meaning fewer trips to the gas station and less money spent on fuel. Factor in the fact that the powertrain limited warranty lasts a whopping 100,000 miles or 10 years, and you have even more ways that this auto is affordable.
First Impressions and Overall Styling
At a glance, the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage may seem downright tiny. However, it is larger on the inside than you likely imagine. Mitsubishi placed a stronger emphasis on keeping the cost down than making the Mirage eye-catching. However, there are some elements of style to make up for this. The previous model year got an updated front end and grille that improved its appearance. However, it still will not stand out from other similar autos. Unsurprisingly given the affordability of the Mirage, this auto has plenty of hard plastics inside with straightforward knobs for ventilation and radio.
Highly Efficient
To make the Mirage affordable over its lifetime in addition to that initial price, Mitsubishi emphasized fuel economy when creating the powertrain. You get a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine with 78 horsepower and a torque of 74 pound-feet. If those figures seem low, it is because they are the lowest (or almost the lowest) of any auto for sale in the United States that relies solely on the engine. You can stick to the standard 5-speed manual transmission or go with the continuously variable transmission that also boosts efficiency. While the Mirage has excellent efficiency, as mentioned earlier, you will not want to drive it at very high speeds and will need to plan ahead to pass other vehicles. Even with the Mirage’s light weight of about 2,000 pounds, the engine struggles a bit on hills, so planning once again becomes necessary.
Comfort and Features
With its most basic trim, the 2018 Mirage is plain and simple. It gives you just what you need and almost nothing you want. If you want to add more on, however, you can get features you may want. You also get to choose from a hatchback or sedan. The hatchback is the way to go if you want cargo space. It gives you 17.2 cubes behind the second row or 47 cubic feet if you fold down the rear seat. Just keep in mind that you will not get a flat load floor, only extra space. Those interested in features will appreciate that all Mirages now have a 7-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth. However, you need to upgrade to get cruise control, push-button start, and automatic climate control. You can also get features like heated front seats, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, upgraded audio, and parking sensors.