Review: 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4

[Thirty-Nine]

Spent a week with the '17 Mirage G4 SE. Certainly improved vs. the '14-'15 models. However, why someone would go this route vs. a Yaris iA, for instance, would be a bit of a mystery. Extra fuel economy? Less expensive after haggling? Easier to get with bad credit?

http://www.subcompactculture.com/201...mirage-g4.html

[joell]

The seven airbags standard may steal some sales from other brands, the Yaris iA (Mazda 2) is better car in terms of engine, transmission and driving (zoom zoom).
People that preferms economy and warranty will buy the Mitsubishi, there is always love for the econoboxes.

[Thirty-Nine]

True enough. I would love to see the breakdown between hatch and G4 sedan sales.

[kimona]

Rather odd looking from the b-pillars back. The rear doors look like they were taken from a Versa sedan. The front end looks quite good, except for the oversized, stylized, fog light surrounds with the silly looking chrome accent... which so many manufacturers are doing right now. Certainly better small sedans for the money than this one.

[thebarber]

As a big commuter now, it comes down to features and FE

[toad]

sorry to bring up an old thread, but i've actually been looking at the g4 lately. it looks almost exactly like the yaris sedan we have now from your picture. the iA(now just the yaris sedan) is a mazda2 in toyota disguise- i would prefer to have the mazda2 badging.

i hear the engine lacks any oomph(and this is coming from a yaris owner), but the warranty and gas mileage interest me. i'll probably test drive one the next time on that side of town(mitsubishi dealership). i hear they like to deal more than toyota dealers!

[bronsin]

I looked at the Mirage a couple years ago. Id say the build quality and overall construction is 70% of the Yaris. Kind of scary really! LOVE the 1200cc engine...I might buy a new YAris if they put it on a diet and offered the 1 liter engine.

A vulture I mean SALESMAN came over when I was looking and I explained I was just looking not buying. He asked what car I drove and I said Yaris and he tried to say Toyotas have lots of problems while Mitsubishis have almost none and he always drives his personal Mirage 200,000 miles before getting another one.

I felt like I was in a cesspool in there so I left as soon as possible!

[thebarber]

i would say the interior is on par with the echo..its about 15yrs old, lol

but small displacement typically means good FE

[kimona]

I'd far sooner buy a base Nissan Versa sedan than a Mitsubishi Mirage G4.

[Thirty-Nine]

It has a somewhat endearing quality to it. However, it's very slow and loud. I'd consider a hatchback, but likely not a G4.

[tmontague]

There becomes a point of diminishing returns when manufaturers spec smaller and smaller engines.

Imo, the 1nz 1.5L is as small as an engine should go for a ~2200lb vehicle to keep good has mileage and at least allow it to actually get up to highway speed.

When hypermiling I was able to get just under 5.5L/100km on average and I had power if needed to merge into a highway.

Smaller engines have to be wrung out just to move with traffic which leads to worse fuel numbers than a slightly larger engine working a little less.

[toad]

Originally Posted by thebarber

i would say the interior is on par with the echo..its about 15yrs old, lol

but small displacement typically means good FE

that's ok. my current car(2001 echo) is fine with me interior-wise.

also, the g4 comes in around 2,000lbs. so i'm thinking it might do ok with just the 1.2 engine

i drive like a granny anyways so no biggie that and my drive is over 50 miles each day

[tmontague]

A 1.2 3 cycl, a lot different than a 1.5 in a 2300lb vehicle. It will be interesting how much less real world fuel is used in the 1.2 over the yaris, my bet is a negligible amount

[thebarber]

1. Id go nissan micra. Same 1.5 as the versa, sexier car. Plus $9999 stripper model.
2. Mirage 3 banger was adequate with a manual
3. Last gen spark 1.2 4cyl felt slow even with a manual

[NYC-SE]

No Micra in US.

[scratchpaddy]

Originally Posted by thebarber

adequate

That's the best way to describe a car like the Mirage, I think. It appeals to those who like no-frills, efficient transportation. Anyone wanting something else will be disappointed. Somebody who liked the Echo would probably like it. Somebody who liked the Geo Metro would definitely like it. It's CHEAP. That's its goal in life.

I like them. I would have one now (a hatchback, I don't like sedans) if they weren't so new. Cars less than 5 years old aren't far enough down the depreciation curve for me.

A Mirage will get a little bit better mileage than a Yaris. Fuelly puts the numbers at about 39mpg for the Mirage, 36mpg for the Yaris.

[toad]

Originally Posted by NYC-SE

No Micra in US.

wow! another case of canada getting the cool stuff vs. the usa

i like the specs on it. for the size it's got a good amount of hp. who wants to buy one in canada and drive it down? i think it'll fit in my garage also(the echo just barely fits in)!

seriously though, i just want something small, fuel-efficient and with reliability on par with the yaris. yeah i know...why not just buy anther yaris? i guess i'm just ready for something different(i've had a few in the 1nz-fe family).

[malibuguy]

I just cannot imagine driving it....

My wifes 13 spark had 84 hp...with the full exhaust and intake mods ive done I predict a stellar 84.3hp. Its fun when its just myself...but not quick. You throw her and her grown kids in it...it stuggles. It gets the job done just not swiftly. They claim the CVT for 14/15 made things more perky. I dunno. Ill stick with our Aisin 4spd auto.

When I used to cummute 110 miles a day i would easily average 50+mpg when I cared. Even now I still get 47mpg (i did today as a matter of fact) when i still go down to the same area for side work. Thats with me driving like an asshole lol. My tires are not pumped up like I used to do. I did no real hypermiling tricks other then my upper grille block is still on.

Really nothing much better then a proper yaris sedan. If you want more fluff get a 'rolla