Overview
If you need a simple small car to use as cheap transportation, the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage G4—the sedan equivalent to the Mirage hatchback—fits the brief and offers little extra. While it is one of the cheapest new cars you can buy, that minimal outlay of cash nets you—quite literally—the bare minimum. A three-cylinder engine provides just 78 horsepower, meaning the Mirage G4 can get out of its own way, but only barely. On the upside, fuel efficiency is excellent, even for the particularly economical subcompact car segment. A 10-year warranty, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a relatively spacious cabin are also attractive attributes, but we’d suggest taking a hard look at its rivals before committing to the Mitsu.
What’s New for 2021?
Mitsubishi has given the Mirage G4 a makeover for 2021, with a larger grille, updated front and rear bumpers, and redesigned lighting elements. The Carbonite Edition model joins the lineup and introduces sportier styling elements. Automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection are now standard across the lineup, and more advanced features such as automatic high-beam headlamps and lane-departure warning are now available on the top-spec SE model. All Mirage G4s also now come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
To its credit, the Mirage G4’s base model comes with some attractive standard features. All models are equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and automatic climate control. We’d suggest sticking with the base model rather than paying to upgrade to a more expensive trim, as those prices put the Mirage G4 in contention with better cars from the class above.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
There’s no way around it: Relative to rival models, the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is dealing with a severe horsepower deficit. This little Mitsu is equipped with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that generates just 78 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. You’ll get a lot more muscle under the hood with rivals such as the Hyundai Accent (120 horsepower). A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the Mirage G4’s base model, but all other trims are equipped with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is standard. In everyday driving, the Mirage G4 exhibits tepid acceleration. This is especially noticeable on the freeway, where you have to really work the throttle to get the power needed for passing maneuvers. Also, the engine sounds coarse, and it gets noisy at high speeds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Fuel efficiency is one of this sedan’s key strengths. According to the EPA, the Mirage G4 achieves fuel economy of 35/41 mpg city/highway with the optional CVT. With those numbers, this sedan gets better mileage than rivals such as the Nissan Versa (up to 32/40 mpg). When equipped with the standard manual transmission, the Mirage G4’s fuel economy drops to 33/40 mpg.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
With some economy cars, the cabin design transcends the expectations that you might have for a vehicle that’s modestly priced, but this isn’t the case with the Mirage G4. Both in terms of design and the quality of materials used, the Mirage G4’s cabin is unambitious. Relative to its hatchback sibling, the Mirage G4 provides an extra three inches of rear-seat legroom. Of the two models, this is the one to get if you need to comfortably seat passengers in both rows. The Mirage G4 provides 13 cubic feet of cargo space. Rival sedans provide more room for your stuff. The Nissan Versa provides up to 15 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Hyundai Accent offers 14 cubic feet of room.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All Mirage G4 sedans come with standard Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone calls. Base models are also equipped with a four-speaker audio system and HD radio, as well as a front USB port and an auxiliary audio-input jack. Additionally, a 7.0-inch display screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard. If you need a more premium sound system, you can upgrade via the available Rockford Fosgate setup.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
While the Mirage G4 comes standard with automated emergency braking, most advanced driver-assistance features are absent from the car’s options sheet. For more information about the Mirage G4’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Available lane-departure warning
- Available automatic high-beam headlamps
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Mitsubishi’s warranty coverage matches that of the Accent and beats what’s offered by the Versa and the Chevrolet Sonic. The Mirage G4 offers longer coverage than the warranty protection provided by competing models such as the Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris. Unlike the Mirage G4, however, the Yaris provides complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
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