by Aiden Eksteen
When it comes to entry-level, budget-friendly cars in the USA, you really can't expect to get much out of them in the way of performance and features for what you pay, but there are still many ways in which you do still receive good value. The 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 definitely exemplifies the former rather than the latter, with its severely underpowered 3-cylinder engine that spurts out just 76 horsepower, a poor driving experience, and a plain, low-grade cabin design. It's fine for the city-slicker that just needs an affordable vehicle that'll get from point A to point B in one piece and as efficiently as possible. But with that said, other entry-level, budget 4-door cars such as the Nissan Versa Sedan, Toyota Yaris Sedan, and the Hyundai Accent all offer that along with a little more of everything at similar prices. Put plainly, it just seems as though other automakers have found ways to cram their budget offerings with more value than Mitsubishi has with the 2021 Mirage G4. But then again, Mitsubishi hasn't yet developed the Mirage G4 beyond its first-generational guise, which means there is nty of room for improvement.
Mitsubishi has given the G4 a gentle facelift for the 2021 model year. The changes include revised styling elements like a new Dynamic Shield grille and restyled bumpers. White Diamond joins the color palette this year. In terms of safety equipment, every new Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan now comes with standard forward collision mitigation, which includes pedestrian detection. Reserved for the top SE trim are lane departure warning, LED headlights, and automatic high beams.
Inside, a new seven-inch Display Audio setup is standard across the lineup and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The ES benefits from newly designed front armrests and better materials. Finally, a new Carbonite Edition trim brings with it some sportier design elements like a unique grille, a B-pillar deal, and red exterior accents.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES |
1.2L Inline-3 Gas
|
5-Speed Manual
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$15,295 |
| LE |
1.2L Inline-3 Gas
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$17,220 |
| Carbonite Edition |
1.2L Inline-3 Gas
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$17,995 |
| SE |
1.2L Inline-3 Gas
|
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
|
Front-Wheel Drive
|
$18,195 |
Don't mistake the blur in the Mirage G4's performance photos for speed; that's just the motion blur caused by the photographer falling over as they fell asleep recording the sedan. With just a 1.2-liter inline-3-cylinder gas engine powering its front-wheel drivetrain, the Mirage G4 sedan is afforded only 76 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque. Power is directed by a 5-speed manual gearbox in the entry-spec ES or a continuously variable automatic transmission throughout the rest of the line. Acceleration responses are excruciatingly slow and gradual, whether it's from a standstill or
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
If you're not overly concerned with the superficial qualities and luxuries most contemporary cars come with and you're just looking for a simple everyday urban runabout, the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 may be a suitable car for you. It's one of the most affordable sedans money can buy and returns the best fuel economy figures in the classification. While it does drive, it isn't very entertaining or pleasant at all for that matter, it's just excruciatingly slow and uncomfortable, especially at higher speeds. The engine starts to drone as well, and the bad quality cabin look and feel just doesn't help for the overall experience. The NHTSA and the IIHS weren't too impressed, as evidenced by their review of the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4, which afforded it a far-below-average safety rating overall. It doesn't have the best record for reliability, either.
The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 just isn't the best budget-friendly subcompact sedan money can buy in the USA; it has too few qualities to overcome all its compromises, while other budget cars offer a good amount more in just about every regard at similar prices.
If you really must buy the 2021 Mirage G4, we'd recommend going for the top-spec SE model which at least comes with the better LED exterior lighting setup and automatic high beams which improve driving safety, as well as for the leather-clad steering wheel and leather upholstery which slightly improve the cabin impression. The heated front seats improve cabin comfort, too, and the lane departure warning aids the driver further and improves conveniences and safety. The price of this 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan comes in at only $3,000 more than the entry spec's models, which is worth paying for these slight but effective improvements.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Automobili Pininfarina
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Ineos Automotive
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo