A Closer Look at the 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage

If you’ve used Mitsubishi models before, you likely wonder if the 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage will be any different. Of course, you are looking for a fuel-efficient car with powerful drivability properties easy to park. That’s where the 2022 Mirage comes in handy. Like its close relative, the Mirage G4 sedan, Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the smallest affordable cars you should buy. According to Motor Trend, it rivals other subcompact cars like the Kia Rio, Nissan Versa, and Chevrolet Spark.

Product features

• Fuel economy of 33-36 mpg for highways and 40-43 mpg for city drivers
• The depreciation rate of 59% after five years
• 1.2-liter inline three-cylinder
•  78 horsepower and 74 pounds-feet of torque·
• Five-speed manual transmission
• Basic warranty- five years

Performance and efficiency

You only expect one engine option for a low-priced vehicle like the 2022 Mirage. The subcompact car has a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder producing the lowest output of any production car. We’re talking about 78 horsepower and 74 pounds-feet of torque. Mirage comes as a front-wheel drive, but you have the option of using the five-speed manual transmission or a CVT automatic.

Cargo space and interior features

The Mirage has 41.7 inches of legroom up front, while the rear-seat passengers have up to 37.3 inches. The only downside to this vehicle is the cargo capacity which can only hold up to 17.1 cubic feet of cargo. The rear bench offers 37.0 cubic feet when you fold the seats down. At least the car has in-cabin practical door side pockets with bottle-holder sections on both the front doors and two cup holders found ahead of the center console. Remember, cargo spaces for sedans and hatchbacks are measured differently.

Infotainment

You would expect an inexpensive vehicle to come with substandard features, but that isn’t the case with the Mirage. This vehicle has a 7.0-inch touchscreen system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Others include a rearview camera, Bluetooth audio streaming, four-speaker audio setup, and climate control.

Safety features

When buying a vehicle, one of the first things to consider is your safety. If you’ve settled on the Mirage as your sedan, you will be pleased to learn that it has a forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking like for the 2021 model year. Its lane departure warning and automatic high beams are still standard but efficient.

Exterior

Going by Car Buzz’s report, the 2022 Mirage is a lovely little hatchback that has maintained the same attitude as the 2021 Mirage. Besides the restyled grille, it has halogen headlights that generate LED headlights. All 2022 Mirage models have LED taillights and a high-mounted LED stop lamp. However, the Black Edition (BE) and SE are fitted with fog lights. Moreover, the Mirage comes in eight exterior paint colors, including sapphire blue metallic, mercury gray metallic, mystic black metallic, sand yellow, infrared metallic, white diamond, and many others. While you have many colors to choose from, we recommend you to go for the Black Edition to experience what it feels like to be bold in the dark.

Poor engine performance

If you’ve driven SUVs before, you will know what it feels like to have a machine with a high horse and torque power. The 2022 Mirage oozes deficient power delivery, making you feel like riding on top of a tortoise. When driven for long miles at a higher speed, the engine starts feeling strained. You will eventually hear buzzing sounds like your car is drained. It’s more like a chore instead of a privilege driving a mirage or attempting to overtake on a highway. The manual gear is even worse. It doesn’t assist the driver in maintaining better control of the engine’s power delivery. Trying to maneuver the gearbox feels like a bumpy ride, lacking the sprightlier engine feel it’s supposed to deliver. The CVT automatic won’t make it better. You can’t differentiate it from the manual.

Low standard interior

They say “cheap is expensive.” That’s what the Mirage’s interior feels like. From the cabin’s low-quality seats to questionable ergonomics, riding in this car almost feels like a miracle, hence the name “Mirage.” Though the front seats have enough legroom, the rear seats don’t. Though Mitsubishi claims the Mirage is a five-seater, the rear seats can only accommodate two adults who need to be shorter. That means any adult over six feet tall will feel like a “Goliath.” The worst part about the car is that the seats are uncomfortable and not supportive. The driver’s seat is unusually built too high, leaving the driver to feel like they’re riding on a horse.

Airbags might be faulty

One of the key features to focus on is the airbags when it comes to your safety. Unfortunately, faulty airbags might have everything to do with the last recall for the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage. However, we expect the 2022 Mirage to right the wrongs the 2028 model might have presented.

Pros

• Strong warranty- 5 years
• Excellent fuel economy
• Great safety features
• Low price
• Easy to park

Cons

• Poor value for money
• Limited hood space
• Bouncy and tedious ride
• Screeching braking system

Takeaway

You should understand that the 2022 Mirage is simply a vehicle that can take you from one point to another. If you’re expecting state-of-the-art features at such a lower price, then you are in for a rude shock. Look on the brighter side. It’s a budget-friendly vehicle with best-in-class fuel efficiency and excellent built-in cargo space. But those are the only perks you will get from this vehicle. Still, Mitsubishi has worked on its infotainment and interior features by integrating smartphone features to compensate for its inefficiencies. That alone is enough to give the 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage a 4-star rating out of 5.