Mirage Hatchback vs G4: An In-Depth Comparison.

In the battle between two Mitsubishi Mirages, which one do you think is the better practicar: the Mirage Hatchback or the Mirage G4? Automart.Ph lists the haves and have-nots and settles the question here.

Choosing the Better Brother---the Hatchback or the G4?

Typically, when you go into a Mitsubishi car dealership showroom, you’d find the Mirage G4 and Mirage Hatchback side by side. Typically, you wouldn’t think it out loud, beguiled instead, by the heftier, more powerful Montero at the end of the lineup.

But in the used and repossessed market, the Mirage Hatchback and the G4 are two of the most discussed and considered Mitsubishi cars. Because if you are looking for a practicar, you would definitely want to know which one is better.

The discussion invariably drifts to discussing the merits and demerits of these fraternal twins. Comparisons are welcomed loudly, and in many cases, obligatory. It’s like arguing which one is the better compact MPV? Or the undying debate about diesel or gas (hint: we answered it once and for all).

What Is the Difference Between the Mirage and the Mirage G4?

To find out what differentiates these models and which one is the better buy, Automart.Ph did a comparison of the Mirage Hatchback and the G4 based on four practicar factors: Price, Fuel Economy, Safety, and Performance.

The car that is superior in one factor will get 5 points while the other gets 4 points or less. Then we add all the points to find out which Mitsubishi car is the winner, and which one is just a far-off mirage (pun intended).

Mirage Price Points

Used and repossessed cars are by no means cheap. But they are more affordable than their brand-new counterparts by 30% to nearly 50% (and come in with low mileage and good-as-new condition, compared to other second-hand cars).

A casual search of the Automart.Ph website will show that the Mirage Hatchback ranges from 350,200 pesos to 254,100 pesos, depending on year and variant, mileage, and condition. Its subcompact sibling, the Mirage G4, ranges from 503,100 pesos to 238,400 pesos.

It is important to note that there are less than 20 Mirage Hatchbacks left across all the Automart-managed warehouses around the country, due to the high demand for this model. While not as desirable, there are less than 170 Mirage G4 units left, highlighting how sought-after these models are since repo units are more moderately priced than brand-new, with low mileage to be as good as new.

With its better and more affordable repo price point range, the Hatchback scores 5 points, while the G4 gets 4 points.

Super Safety Features

Standard in all the Hatchback and the G4 variants are the anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and brake override system (BOS). Both models also feature the standard driver and passenger safety features like the dual airbags, the ISOFIX tether anchors (and more, as you go up the variant lineup).

The Mirage received a 4-star rating and won the ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries) Grand Prix Award for Adult Occupancy Protection in 2013, because of its Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body which absorbs and redirects energy away from the car driver and passengers during an accident.

Apart from these safety features, the Mirage Hatchback also has a very good braking system with 13-inch ventilated discs and 7-inch trailing drum brakes. But the Mirage G4 edges it slightly with bigger 14-inch ventilated discs in the front and 8-inch trailing drum brakes in the rear. The higher variants also offer more safety features like rear parking sensors and reverse camera features.

A Quick Aside About Size: Size matters differently to different folks, and this is the biggest disparity that we have between the two (giving the edge to the G4). The Mirage Hatchback is 3,795 mm in length, 1,665 mm in width, and 1,500 mm in height. Its wheelbase is 2,450 mm, while ground clearance is 160 mm.

Obviously, the Mitsubishi G4 is the bigger car and measures 4,305 mm in length, 1,670 mm in width and 1,515 mm in height. Its wheelbase is 2,550 mm and it sits higher with a ground clearance of 170 mm.

The G4’s longer wheelbase is what really gives the biggest value: a longer wheelbase means a more comfy and spacious interior. It also means your trunk is a separate space that’s larger and can carry more (again, without compromising both comfort and space for rear-seat passengers). The trunk even adds another, albeit indirect, safety measure, in case of rear-end collisions.

For having a bigger braking system and that added trunk, the Mirage G4 wins 5 points on safety, while the Hatchback follows close on its heels with 4 points.

You Gotta Love the Fuel Economy on These Siblings!

Fuel economy is something that these fraternal twins offer buyers in spades. The brand has done a great job so far, by making both the Hatchback and G4 as fuel-efficient as possible.

Based on tests and the numbers researched by Automart, here’s what we’ve concluded and the results were, very satisfying:

The main reason for this fuel efficiency is both in the engine and transmission. Both the Hatchback and the G4 models share the same type of engine: the 1.2-Liter, 3-cylinder DOHC MIVEC (3A92) gasoline engine, capable of 78 hp and 100 Nm of torque. You have the option of getting an MT or a CVT gearbox if you’re going for the Hatchback. For the G4, you have the GLX CVT and MT, as well as the top-shelf variant, the GLS CVT.

The value that the Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback and G4 offer is obvious: great fuel economy translates into amazing savings. And this is fantastic news both for newbie drivers and buyers looking for the right practicar for their needs---family, work, and otherwise. Slight difference: The Hatchback is a little better at accelerating from a standstill on CVT, than the G4 on CVT, and is more nimble in city traffic. On the other hand, the G4 can carry more fuel with a 42-liter tank compared to the Hatchback’s 35-liter gas tank.

For the first time since Automart started featuring practicars, we haven’t seen fuel economy this balanced and award the win to both. Five points each for the Mirage G4 and the Mirage Hatchback!

How Long-Term Performance Can Dictate the Bottom Line

With two different models driving on the same platform, with the same engine profile, and basically the same everything (except size), how do you compare and conclude? It all boils down to performance---long-term performance and how this impacts your overall cost and savings over time.

Basing our research on the 2020 models of the Hatchback (GLS AT) and the G4 (GLS AT), it’s pretty conclusive that when it comes to overall costs and performance over time, the Mirage Hatchback does extremely well compared to the G4 (an average of 100K pesos less!)

At the outset, the Hatchback has a huge advantage at being the more affordable car when brand new (even repo Hatchbacks are better priced than G4s), and this value just compounds over time, as it is consistently less expensive to maintain while providing consistent, high-quality performance over time.

Is the Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback a reliable car?

Yes, the Mirage Hatchback is a reliable car and one that provides enormous benefits to its owner (newbie or not). Its compact size makes it perfect for city driving and allows it to zip in and out of traffic without worry.

In its category, the Hatchback actually has a slightly bigger cabin than its counterparts which makes seating comfier for five, even better for a family of four. Furthermore, space is a big consideration if you live in the city or within the urban sprawl. Having a compact car like the Hatchback maximizes what parking space you have. It’s a great first car for newbie drivers, or for small families.

Is the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 a good car?

While it doesn’t have the great overall cost projection and performance over time that the Hatchback has, the G4 is still a very good choice. With a bigger interior, more space in the trunk, it’s a great family car to get and is reliable both for city and highway driving. Is it underpowered for its size? That depends on where you’re taking the family and how much luggage you’re carrying. It’s the ideal practicar for city driving (and for weekend family getaways now that some areas and provinces around the country have opened for local tourism).

This was a clear win for the Hatchback in terms of performance, similar to Iron Mike fighting a taller, longer, and very game Tony Tucker in August 1987. Like that classic matchup, the physically smaller man took the bigger man to the distance in dominating fashion. The Hatchback takes the win with  5 points, while a game G4 earns 4 points.

Final Score: The Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback Takes the Win!

Mirage Hatchback: 19 points out of a possible 20 points

Mirage G4: 18 points out of a possible 20 points

The Mirage Hatchback topped three of our four practicar criteria, turning in a better overall performance versus the Mirage G4. Ultimately, it’s the Hatchback’s long-term performance that outpaces the G4.

While the G4 did not get our vote, its practicality and status as a true practicar is no illusion (yes, we finally said it). It’s got great space management, a bigger gas tank, and is a great repo subcompact sedan to get if you’re under a budget.

The Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback is our practicar winner in this friendly sibling rivalry but we can’t wait to ask: Which one would be your winning practicar choice?

Automart is your gateway to the most affordable high-quality used, repossessed, and second-hand Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback and G4 cars in managed warehouses around the country. When you’re looking for a reliable practicar like the Mirage Hatchback, i-Automart na yan!