New for 2017

The Mirage gets a substantial refresh for 2017, including revised styling, retuned suspension, upgraded brakes, and Apple CarPlay™ and Android™ Auto tech.

Can You Dig It?!

The Mirage subcompact has been an unexpected sales success for Mitsubishi, and for 2017 it gets updates that should make it even more popular. Consumers apparently dig the Mirage’s low base price and impressive fuel economy, rebutting critics who thought the car was too Spartan and primitive to attain widespread success.

Mitsubishi’s mini hatchback continues to be exceedingly thrifty both in terms of purchase price and anticipated fuel costs. But for 2017 it also gets a bit more refined, thanks to a retuned suspension, an upgraded interior, and other changes. The Mirage remains one of the best small-car values around.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage is all about economy, and that’s apparent looking at the powertrain. While other carmakers try to improve fuel economy by adding complex turbochargers or hybrid systems, Mitsubishi does it by simply making the engine as small as possible.

Under the hood sits a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, which produces 78 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque.  That may not sound like a lot, but remember that the Mirage weighs just over 2,000 pounds, so it’s not like there’s a lot of weight to move around. The power is sent to the front wheels through a standard five-speed manual transmission or optional CVT automatic.

The result is impressive fuel economy for a non-hybrid car. The Mirage manages a best 39 mpg combined (37 mpg city, 43 mpg highway)* with the CVT, or 36 mpg combined (33 mpg city, 41 mpg highway)* with the manual. So the Mirage is not only cheap to buy, it’s also cheap to own because of its fuel-sipping nature.

For a mid-cycle refresh, Mitsubishi made some fairly extensive mechanical upgrades to the Mirage. The 2017 model gets a suspension system tuned specifically for the North American market, which should yield handling and ride-quality improvements. The Mirage also gets bigger brakes front and rear for more confident stopping.

Features and Trims

The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage is available only as a five-door, five-seat compact hatchback, although Mitsubishi is also adding a Mirage G4 sedan to the lineup for 2017. The Mirage hatchback is available in three trim levels, priced starting from a low $12,995.**

Standard equipment on the base Mirage ES includes LED taillights, a rear spoiler, split-folding rear bench seat, tilt steering wheel, keyless entry, air conditioning, three cup holders, 14-inch steel wheels, and other features.

The midlevel Mirage SE includes all of the applicable standard equipment from the ES, but adds fog lights, 14-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, Display Audio system with 6.5-inch screen and Apple CarPlay™/Android™ Auto  smartphone link, Bluetooth®, pushbutton start, and more.

Finally, the Mirage GT incorporates features from the ES and SE, and adds bi-xenon headlights, 15-inch alloy wheels, front seat heater, and some upgraded trim pieces.

Design 

As with the fuel-efficient powertrain, Mitsubishi did a lot with a little when it came to the 2017 Mirage’s styling. Changing the entire body was out of the question, but the updates designers did make have a meaningful impact.

The entire front fascia is updated, including a new grille that replaces the previous smooth front-end design. The hood, wheels, and taillights are new as well. In addition to changing the look of the Mirage, the updates also help with aerodynamics. An optimized front air dam and new rear air dam reduce drag, while the angle of the rear spoiler was changed to reduce lift. The result is a drag coefficient of 0.27.

The interior gets a few upgrades as well. All models get a redesigned steering wheel, shift panel, and air conditioning panel. The front and rear seats use new materials as well. Higher-level models get a multifunction steering wheel with Bluetooth® audio, cruise controls, and an illuminated semi high-contrast gauge cluster. Available  Apple CarPlay™ and Android™ Auto add an extra level of smartphone connectivity with interfaces keyed specifically to Apple and Android™ phones.

The Mirage makes the most of its tiny footprint, with 86.1 cubic feet of passenger volume, 17.2 cubic feet of cargo volume with the seats up, and 47.0 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A split-folding rear bench adds flexibility.

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, hill-start assist, and seven airbags. A rearview camera is optional.

Bottom Line

The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage is a small car that’s big on value.

Be sure to contact us online or visit 3Birds Template at 505 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516 to schedule a test drive.

*EPA mileage estimate. Actual mileage may vary.

**Suggested Retail. Dealer is free to establish his/her own mark-ups or margins.

Image: Mitsubishi