It’s NO Mirage
All-new Mitsubishi subcompact sedan is a tasty ride
Sometimes, a peanut butter and jam sandwich is all you need.
Sure, a five-course meal in a three-star Michelin Guide restaurant is the stuff of gourmand dreams. But like seat time in a McLaren P1, such dining experiences are very rare indeed, even in a well-lived lifetime.
PB&J between two slices of bread? That’s the stuff that’s fuelled many a Little Leaguer, university student, midnight snacker and pensioner. It’s the kitchen cupboard’s great leveller, ticking the budget, nutrition and time-for-prep boxes.
The PB&J of the automotive world is the subcompact sedan, where price, fuel economy and warranty are what appeal to prospective buyers’ appetites.
Not surprisingly, the menu options abound in this category. There’s the Toyota Yaris, the Chevrolet Spark, the Kia Rio, the Hyundai Accent, and the Ford Fiesta, among others.
The newest entree is the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4, an all-new sedan version of the Mirage hatchback that has been in the Canadian market since 2012.
While the G4 is the first Mitsubishi-badged subcompact sedan to be offered in Canada, it’s not the first as the 1978 Dodge Colt was in fact based on an A70-series Mitsubishi Lancer.
The 2012 Mirage was in fact the sixth generation of the hatchback, and was previously known as the Mitsubishi Colt.
The Mirage sedan, called the G4, debuted in 2013 in select Asian markets and has finally made its way to Canada as a 2017 model.
The most striking difference between the sedan and the hatch, apart from the obvious silhouette, is the sedan’s more conventional body style.
That allows for best-in-class rear seat room with more leg room than it’s larger Lancer stablemate. Cargo space in the trunk is also generous, though that fact isn’t too rare in this segment as subcompacts like the Yaris and Accent boast big trunks.
There are two trim levels to choose from: The base ES (starting at $14,498) and the SEL ($18,298).
Each are powered by a 78-horsepower, 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine with the ES trim coming with either a five-speed manual or CVT auto transmission and the SEL available only with the CVT.
Brakes are improved over the 2016 Mirage with bigger discs and a new brake pad/shoe material that improves stopping performance.
Despite being the entry-level model, the ES comes with a nice package of standard features, including A/C, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth 2.0 hands-free cellular interface, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and tilt steering.
The SEL adds in, among other things, some nice technology such as a rear-view camera and display audio with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Those smartphone-linked audio systems work with Mitsubishi’s new in-car display hardware.
Considering the price of the SEL, to get these features is impressive as such tech is often only available on luxury models (though that is changing).
Where the Mirage G4 can claim exclusivity is in having the best warranty in the world, including a 10-year or 160,000-kilometre limited powertrain warranty and a fiveyear or 100,000-km limited new vehicle warranty along with five years unlimited mileage roadside assistance.
Standard safety features also seem to betray the price points. Things like four-wheel anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, active stability control with traction control logic and hill start assist.
We tested the top-of-the-line SEL model for a week in and around Metro Vancouver and apart from the obvious low horsepower output, the Mirage G4 proved a very competent and complete package.
For around-town driving, the 1.2-litre engine did the job admirably; it was only when pressed into highway service on hard acceleration that it felt strained and emitted that all-too-familiar buzz typical of the subcompact sedan segment.
Handling was good and the improved brakes held firm, even under more aggressive stopping.
If you’re a confident driver, the Mirage G4 will feel like a go-kart in your hands; very nimble and easy to move about in traffic.
If you’re more of the cautious type, the small sedan won’t make you feel that you’re trying to corral a beast. It’s extremely easy to drive and driver inputs are direct and expected.
The cabin punches above its weight in terms of fit and finish and the gauges and controls are well laid out and easy to operate. Looking at the controls on the steering wheel and the screen in the centre dash, it’s amazing to think this is a sub$20,000 vehicle.
My only complaint was the front seats aren’t the most comfortable and could use a little sculpting in the lower-back area. Still, this isn’t the kind of vehicle you’re going to go on a long road trip in, so driver fatigue isn’t a big issue for commuters and urbanites.
One last thing: I can’t help but admire Mitsubishi’s chutzpah in borrowing monikers of jets — Mirage and G4 — for the name of their city runabout.
It just goes to prove that sometimes a cheap and cheerful econobox is all you need.
And the Mirage G4 — with its low price, excellent fuel economy, stellar warranty and tech offerings — is a tasty one.