Car Trivia of the Week: 3 Things You Didn’t Know About the Mitsubishi Mirage

The Mitsubishi Mirage remains one of the best-selling used and repossessed cars at Automart. The Mirage, whether in hatchback or G4 sedan body style, is also a highly-rated practicar offering a killer combination of affordability, low maintenance, and outstanding fuel economy.

As such, the Mitsubishi Mirage is a solid choice when it comes to first-time drivers. It’s safe to say the Mirage is just as popular as the Toyota Vios on Philippine roads, but there are a couple of interesting facts about Mitsubishi’s global subcompact car. Here are the top 3 things you didn’t know about the Mirage.

Top 3 Mitsubishi Mirage Facts

1. The Mirage initially debuted in Japan with a smaller 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine.

The sixth-generation Mitsubishi Mirage we know today initially debuted in Japan with a smaller 1.0-liter three-cylinder 3A90 gasoline engine. This engine first saw duty in the 2003 Mitsubishi Colt, the present-day Mirage’s predecessor. It pumps out 70 horsepower and around 65 pound-feet of torque.

The modest power output may seem lackluster on paper, but the Mirage was never about lightning-fast acceleration or achieving the highest possible top speed. Instead, the Mirage is about lightness and fuel economy. The Japanese-spec Mirage equipped with the smaller 3A90 three-cylinder engine achieves 27.2 km/l or 64 miles per gallon, making it one of the most fuel-efficient small cars money can buy.

2. The Mirage remains a fuel miser.

Here in the Philippines and the rest of the world, the Mitsu Mirage has a 1.2-liter 3A92 three-cylinder engine pumping out 76 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque. It also achieves 18 km/l (43 miles per gallon or mpg) on the highway and around 15 km/l (36 mpg) around the city.

Yes, the bigger engine’s fuel economy numbers are not as stellar as the smaller 1.0-liter motor. However, the Mitsubishi Mirage remains one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid cars in the market today, and that’s saying a lot.

3. The Mirage is Mitsubishi’s next-gen rally machine.

For those old enough to remember, Mitsubishi cut its teeth in rallying during the late 1960s and won four consecutive WRC World Driver’s champion titles from 1996 to 1999. Before the Galant VR and Lancer Evolution series came to fruition, Mitsubishi started rallying with the Colt from 1967 to 1977.

But in 2013, Ralliart Sweden unveiled the Mitsubishi Mirage R5. Designed to compete in R5 rally racing, it came with a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4B11 four-cylinder engine lifted from the Lancer Evolution X. It pumps out 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It also came with four-piston AP brakes with ventilated disks and Ohlins suspension.

What is the difference between the Mitsubishi Mirage and Mirage G4?

The Mitsubishi Mirage is a five-door hatchback, while the Mirage G4 is a four-door sedan with a trunk. The former measures 3,785 mm long, 1,655 mm wide, 1,500 mm tall, and has a 2,450 mm wheelbase. Meanwhile, the G4 sedan is 4,305 mm long, 1,670 mm wide, 1,515 mm high, and has a 2,550 mm wheelbase.

In short, the Mirage hatchback is a smaller car, while the Mirage G4 is slightly bigger to offer more interior room and cargo space. Despite the size disparity, both the Mirage hatchback and Mirage G4 have the same 1.2-liter naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine with either a five-speed manual or CVT automatic gearbox.

Is the Mitsubishi Mirage a good car?

Honestly, the Mitsubishi Mirage has its fair share of stellar and not-so-great reviews. Others say the Mirage lacks refinement, while some reviewers are criticizing the engine for its lackluster performance.

But for what it is, the Mitsubishi Mirage is an excellent car for everyday driving. Unless you compare it to bigger and more superior compact vehicles like the Honda Civic or Hyundai Elantra, the Mirage makes a superior proposition regarding fuel economy, running costs, and even resale value. What’s more, a used or repossessed Mitsubishi Mirage remains one of the most affordable ways towards car ownership.