2019 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCalvin KimVehicle Test Engineer

　　Calvin Kim is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　

What's new

Minor changes to standard equipmentPart of the first Mirage G4 generation introduced for 2017

　　The 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is among one of the lowest-priced sedans on the market. Though you can option up with the latest in smartphone connectivity, larger wheels and an automatic transmission, the whole point of the G4 is to get you into a new car with the least amount of outlay. The Mirage's easy maneuverability is another plus, and the 10-year powertrain warranty provides reassurance for long-term ownership.

　　On the downside, the Mirage G4 comes with a small three-cylinder engine that produces 78 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers, as you can likely surmise, are among the lowest available and result in painfully slow acceleration. Other issues for the G4 include a sparse interior, minimal regard to refinement, and high levels of wind and road noise at highway speeds.

　　If the bottom line is your only criteria, the G4 is an easy choice. But we do suggest looking around. The Kia Rio, for example, is a much more substantial vehicle for nearly the same money, while Nissan's Versa sedan is more powerful and less expensive.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

5.9 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Mitsubishi Mirage GT hatchback (1.3L inline-3 | CVT automatic | FWD).

　　NOTE: The test Mirage hatchback differs slightly from the sedan, namely in its available cargo space and trim level structure. Our findings remain broadly applicable to the Mirage G4, however.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	5.9 / 10
Driving	4.0
Comfort	4.0
Interior	7.0
Utility	7.0
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

4.0

　　Not all cars should be judged on outright performance, but the Mirage almost fails to provide the driver with the bare minimum needed for modern travel. Most drivers might be unwilling to push the Mirage as far as it needs to go to keep up, let alone have any fun.

　　

Acceleration

3.0

　　It takes everything this 1.2-liter engine has, and then some, just to keep up. Merging onto a highway is almost hazardous. And acceleration, once at highway speeds, is glacial. The Mirage is woefully underpowered, clocking one of the slowest times we've ever seen to 60 mph: 12.7 seconds.

　　

Braking

8.0

　　Although unimpressive on paper, these front disc and rear drum brakes feel quite good on the road. Braking force is easy to modulate at any speed, and the pedal gives more than adequate feedback. A panic stop felt like a nosedive, and the rear end wiggled and squirmed but was always stable.

　　

Steering

5.0

　　The steering lacks the ability to self-center between 11 and 1 o'clock, meaning you need to guide it back to the center. You'll often be chasing the Mirage around in a freeway lane or somewhat clumsily navigating it along a twisty road. A 30.2-foot turning circle makes it extremely maneuverable in tight spaces at least.

　　

Handling

8.0

　　If you can accept a fair amount of body roll, the Mirage turns in with reasonable quickness and is a nimble car around town. The narrow tires have enough grip to help hang on to precious momentum, and the stability control system is programmed well and doesn't interfere in everyday situations.

　　

Drivability

4.5

　　The CVT automatic defaults to efficiency when it should help you wring what little power there is from the tiny engine. Going up hills is stress-inducing because the Mirage readily loses valuable momentum with the slightest lift of the throttle due to the CVT's calibration. Sport mode makes the responses needlessly jumpy.

　　

Comfort

4.0

　　The amount of noise and vibration that infiltrates every second of driving the Mirage is shocking. The din overshadows the powerful climate control system and the reasonably comfortable ride. Had any other production engine been installed instead, the Mirage's fortunes may have turned around.

　　

Seat comfort

5.0

　　With almost no bolstering to speak of and little support, the front seats are more like fabric-covered chairs than car seats, leading to fatigue in less than an hour. But the seat heaters are quick and powerful. The rear seats will do for short trips, but they are firm and fairly upright.

　　

Ride comfort

6.5

　　The Mirage dispatches speed humps and singular highway dips with ease thanks to a fairly compliant suspension. But over an undulating surface, the Mirage shows itself to be underdamped, bounding up and down and even side to side. Broken surfaces can shake the little car pretty hard.

　　

Noise & vibration

2.5

　　The Mirage is a very noisy thing. The engine sounds like a cement mixer, and wind noise is excessive. At idle, the car vibrates like it's misfiring. Once underway, wind noise becomes noticeable at moderate speeds and is loud enough at highway speeds to drown out the beleaguered little engine.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　While the low-contrast orange and black screen could be brighter, the interface is simple and easy to use. Both the air conditioning and heat are fast-acting and powerful, but the overly stylized center vents simply spill air into the cabin rather than direct it where you want it.

　　

Interior

7.0

　　The interior won't win any design awards, but it has pretty solid basic functionality, with good visibility and user-friendly access and controls. Though it's easy to get in and out, it's not as easy to get comfortable. But there's decent space inside for such a diminutive car.

　　

Ease of use

6.5

　　The interior is pretty straightforward. Most of the controls are self-explanatory and within easy reach. The seat heater switches are the only exception since they are located in the center console underneath the dash.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.5

　　The step-in height should be agreeable for most everybody. The doors are exceedingly light. While the front seats offer easy access, getting into the tighter rear seats might take a bit more thought and time.

　　

Driving position

6.0

　　Taller drivers might find the seating position a bit too high. Anyone taller than 6 feet will be looking out through the top of the windshield. The seat bottom doesn't adjust much for height. And while the steering wheel does adjust for tilt, it doesn't telescope.

　　

Roominess

7.5

　　There's a fair amount of room up front, but the lack of a center console can leave the passenger without an armrest on one side. Two rear passengers will have enough shoulder room, but legroom will be tight.

　　

Visibility

7.5

　　Thanks to thin roof pillars and lots of glass, visibility out the front and to the sides is very good. The short front and rear overhangs make it easy to judge distances when parking. The rear-seat headrests substantially block the view out back, but they can be removed.

　　

Quality

4.5

　　Though there were no squeaks or rattles in our test car — commendable given the amount of vibration from the engine — panel fitment and overall fit and finish were well below expectations. For starters, the fabric in the cargo area wasn't adequately attached, and there was visible paint primer around the fuel filler cap.

　　

Utility

7.0

　　While cargo space is more than adequate and adds great practicality to the Mirage, storage for passenger items almost seems like an afterthought. In-cabin storage is sparse and not well laid-out.

　　

Small-item storage

5.0

　　What storage space there is seems poorly thought out. Rear passengers will have to fight over even less storage space and should probably just keep anything on their laps or alongside them on the seat.

　　

Cargo space

　　The Mirage G4's trunk can hold up to 12.3 cubic feet of stuff, which is a decent amount of space. Some rival sedans offer more. Split-folding rear seats help accommodate larger items, but the fabric in the cargo area isn't attached very well and easily snags on cargo.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

6.5

　　LATCH anchors are unmarked but easy enough to find thanks to the rough fit and finish of the rear seats. Larger car seats might not fit without sliding a front seat forward because there isn't a lot of room in the back seat.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　There are cars costing three to four times what the Mirage does that don't offer the same smartphone connectivity. Therein lies the most appealing thing about this Mitsubishi. A solid stereo rounds things out, but with only one USB port, all of this tech seems like a last-minute addition.

　　

Audio & navigation

8.5

　　An optional Rockford Fosgate sound system offers plenty of punch. Navigation is available only through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, both of which are compatible. The 6.5-inch touchscreen graphics aren't cutting-edge, but they're simple and straightforward.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.0

　　Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported, which is a pleasant surprise on a vehicle priced this low. Bluetooth audio is also supported. No connection issues were reported across any devices. But only one USB port is provided for the entire car.

　　

Driver aids

7.5

　　Stability and traction control are offered. And while they cannot be fully disabled, they can be relaxed and are not overly intrusive. A backup camera is standard and useful but looks tacked on.

　　

Which Mirage G4 does zzdcar recommend?

　　Although the SE trim comes with all the latest smartphone connectivity, it loses its price competitiveness. So opt for the ES and revel in knowing that you're driving one of the most affordable new cars on the market. Even with its low price point, it still comes with Bluetooth, a rearview camera, and a touchscreen-based infotainment system.

　　

2019 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 models

　　The 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is a subcompact sedan offered in two trim levels: ES and SE. Both trims utilize the same engine: a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 78 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque. The ES gives you the choice between a five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while the SE is only available with the CVT automatic.

　　Standard features for the base Mirage ES trim include 14-inch steel wheels, a rear spoiler, automatic headlights, cruise control, keyless entry, air conditioning, full power accessories, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-only steering wheel, 60/40-split folding rear seats, a rearview camera, a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player and a USB port.

　　Optional for automatic transmission-equipped ESs is the Smart Phone Display package. It adds 15-inch alloy wheels and a slightly smaller 6.5-inch touchscreen equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

　　The Mirage SE includes all of the above, along with proximity entry, foglights, automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and heated front seats.

　　Stand-alone options include various aerodynamic flourishes, added interior lighting, rear parking sensors, and utility items such as cargo nets and mud flaps.

　　

2019 Mirage G4 Highlights

Trim: ESRFSEES

　　

Base MSRP	$14,795
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	35 MPG
Cost to Drive	$105/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles