2020 Mitsubishi Mirage Review: Life At Rock Bottom
With generations of Americans being raised on large sedans and station wagons, SUVs, and trucks, it's no surprise that small car sales in the US are dwindling, especially with manufacturers pushing towards crossovers as the flavor of the month. The 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage is the third-smallest car sold in the USA after the Chevrolet Spark and 2-door Mini hatchbacks. The 4-door subcompact hatch is powered by a diminutive 1.2-liter inline-3 gas engine producing a meager 78 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque, utilizing a budget-friendly front-wheel drive platform and either a 5-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic transmission. The word 'performance' does not appear in the Mirage's vocabulary, and instead, it plies its trade as a cheap city commuter whose only true highlight in a sea of cheap and nasty is incredible fuel economy. But while rivals like the Chevrolet Spark and Kia Rio are not exciting either, they are better than the Mirage.
Mirage Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 149.4 in | 96.5 in | 59.4 in | 65.6 in | 56.3 in | 55.7 in | 2,018.0 lbs |
Mirage Performance
Engine and Transmission
The performance specs for the 2020 Mirage are wholly unimpressive, with the sole engine being a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder with only 78 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque, transmitting its power to the road via a 5-speed manual transmission on the base ES and a CVT automatic on all other models. All models are front-wheel drive. Its only saving grace is great gas mileage and the fact that it can run on cheaper regular gasoline.
Mirage Interior
Mirage Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 10 Years / 100,000 Miles | 7 Years / 100,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage A Good hatchback?
The short answer is no. As you can gather from this 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage review, few things count in this vehicle's favor. It's cheap to buy, has a pretty good warranty, and boasts class-leading fuel consumption. Its safety rating from the NHTSA is a passable four stars. What is unfortunate is that these advantages come at the cost of poor interior quality and a bottom-rung driving experience. The ride is noisy and unrefined, while there is absolutely no power in reserve, especially on the highway. Not even the seats have been properly designed and they are not comfortable to sit on. The Mirage hatch has no loftier purpose in mind than transporting its occupants from A to B and as long as you don't expect anything more from it, it will do the job economically. Sadly, there is little reason to recommend the Mirage over more accomplished rivals such as the Kia Rio.
What Mirage Model Should I Buy?
Unless you absolutely must have a manual transmission, the base ES is to be avoided. The mid-tier LE adds the automatic transmission and has several more features than the base car, with a proper touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration, as well as a driver's armrest and red accent stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. The lackluster driving experience remains, but the superior infotainment and Rockford Fosgate audio system at least offer useful distractions. There is no point in going for the top-spec SE or GT just to get fast-key entry, push-button start, and, on the latter, heated seats and projector headlights. The price of the 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback in LE spec is $16,195, compared to the GT's top asking price of $17,295.