Highway Check: 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage SE Hatchback

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The 40+ MPG Low-Value Transportation King

Each automotive, SUV and truck is designed and constructed for a cause, and shopping for one to not do what it was meant to do is mistaken in so some ways. The proper causes to personal a 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage, both the hatchback or sedan, are very clear: economical, dependable transportation with a low entry price to possession.

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback
It’s small, nevertheless it has a spot

Drivetrain

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback
3 cylinders requires endurance

The 2022 Mirage is powered by a 1.2-liter inline 3-cylinder engine producing 78 horsepower (hp) and 74 pound-feet (lb.-ft.) of torque. The entrance wheels are turned by the non-compulsory Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT) delivering an EPA mpg ranking of 36 metropolis/43 freeway/39 mixed. A five-speed handbook is normal on the ES base mannequin (however unavailable on the SE which we examined) with a small discount in gasoline economic system to 33/41/36.

In 157 miles mixed freeway and metropolis driving by way of Southern California, our CVT-equipped Mirage SE hatchback averaged 42.2 mpg, which is a pleasant bump over the EPA Mixed estimate of 39 mpg. Gasoline economic system numbers reported by Clear Fleet Report are non-scientific and characterize the reviewer’s driving expertise utilizing the sprint gauge pc. Your numbers could differ.

Driving Expertise: In City

Round city, cornering at posted speeds and never pushing any limits was wonderful, particularly for negotiating parking tons, parallel parking and different tight maneuver areas. The Mirage most likely has the perfect turning radius of any automotive examined by Clear Fleet Report, so getting round within the metropolis is a factor of magnificence. The Mirage hatchback reveals its actual energy as a nifty little grocery-getter, or for brief commutes and operating the youngsters to high school or their different actions.

Driving Expertise: On the Open Highway

Efficiency expectations should be managed with the Mirage, because the 78 hp and 74 lb.-ft. of torque ship a 0-60 mph time of 12.6 seconds. Getting the two,100-pound Mirage to freeway speeds took endurance, and a giant dose of that “efficiency expectations” factor. The 87 octane, gasoline-powered 3-cylinder engine has a tough sound upon begin and idle, which elevated when pushed throughout laborious acceleration.

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage

On the freeway it turned obvious that driving the Mirage, like driving a go-cart, was all about momentum. Lifting off the accelerator, it’s going to take a while to spool-up the engine once more to regain misplaced velocity. Passing automobiles on the freeway takes forethought and a few fast distance-to-speed calculations. The speedometer reads out to 140 mph, however at 70 I knew that was sufficient. Plus, 140 on the Bridgestone Ecopia 175/55 low-rolling resistance tires mounted on 15-inch wheels was not a welcome thought. Even worse could be the 14-inch wheels on the bottom Mirage ES.

The electrically power-assisted steering made turning in-town straightforward, nevertheless it made open highway driving appear at occasions as if the automotive was barely linked to the highway. Steering really feel was mild and highway really feel was mild. Driving 70 mph on Southern California freeways, it was essential to all the time pay shut consideration to what the automotive was doing. SoCal freeways are primarily concrete and have been grooved to disperse water, so at freeway speeds the Mirage, at occasions, would observe in any route the highway presents, which suggests it tends to wander.

It’s best to drive the Mirage inside its designed limits, which brings us to the place it’s best to be pushed. The Mirage is simply high-quality for in-town errands and quick, perhaps underneath 50-mile drives on the freeway. The CVT was clean sufficient, however mate it to a extra highly effective engine, and it most likely would present its true talents. As supplied, there’s a unending consciousness the transmission is doing all it could possibly and the engine giving its all. The Mirage reminds us of the lesson within the kids’s folktale about The Little Engine That Might.

Driving Expertise: Exterior

The subcompact Mitsubishi Mirage exterior freshening in 2021 continues to 2022. There may be nothing distinctive or distinguishable concerning the automotive’s design, however on the similar time, there’s nothing objectionable about it. Clear Fleet Report’s check automobile was painted in Sand Yellow Metallic and got here with the SE trim package deal that included shiny 15-inch alloy wheels with black inserts, contrasting crimson stripes towards the black Dynamic Protect grille, tasteful chrome accents, a roof spoiler, extensive entrance and rear bumpers, LED head, fog and daytime operating lights and LED tail lights.

Driving Expertise: Inside

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage
Staight up in again

On our Mirage SE the driving force and entrance passenger seats had been lined in material and artificial leather-based, with a sexy sample and distinction piping. Each had been tender, heated and adjusted manually and delivered a consolation that was nearly proper for not more than 50 miles of freeway driving. Exiting the automotive after one hour on the freeway, I wanted to do some stretching as decrease again and thigh assist is minimal, that are the 2 greatest components in driver fatigue.

The rear bench seat, with an erect sitting place, may match three small-in-stature adults, with two being way more real looking. The pinnacle and legroom was surprisingly good for these up-to six-foot two-inches, however the seat assist was not more than the entrance buckets. The Mirage cabin’s excessive noise stage was noticeable at freeway speeds.

The Mirage SE Clear Fleet Report drove had a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel with audio, cruise management and hands-free cellphone buttons, keyless entry, energy home windows, door locks and mirrors, A/C with computerized local weather management, a micron filter, auto-dimming rearview mirror, carpeted flooring mats, 12V energy outlet and a number of cup holders in entrance, with one for the rear passengers. The engine begin/cease button is situated on the left aspect of the steering wheel, similar to a Porsche. The Mirage rear seat again folds 60/40, however doesn’t lay all the way down to develop into a totally flat cargo flooring, which might be an enormous bonus to potential house owners.

1665013412 629 Road Test 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage SE Hatchback
Practical tech

The sprint and heart stack, with a piano black panel and chrome trim accents, was straightforward to make use of and figure-out. The carbon-pattern on the door armrest panels was a pleasant contact. We appreciated the simplicity of the interface that included a mixture of knobs, switches and buttons. A touchscreen with a rearview digicam got here normal on the SE trim package deal as did a driver-side fold down arm relaxation. Entrance seat passengers could think about bringing a pillow to assist their left arm.

The infotainment system was managed by way of a 7.0-inch coloration touchscreen that includes a sound system with 4 audio system, AM/FM radio with a entrance USB port and iPhone connectivity. It got here with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which was a pleasant contact contemplating you can’t get SiriusXM. The voice command labored nicely for the Bluetooth cellphone.

Security and Comfort

The 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage security programs start with aspect curtain, driver-side knee, entrance seat-mounted, and dual-stage entrance occupant airbags. Different security tools contains ahead collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, hill begin help, anti-lock (ABS) brakes, stability management and lane departure warning.

Physique-colored aspect mirrors with flip indicators, a rear intermittent wiper on the elevate gate, a tire stress monitoring system, engine immobilizer and an anti-theft safety alarm spherical out security options.

The 2022 Mirage has acquired a 4 Star (out of 5 Stars) security ranking by the Nationwide Freeway Transportation Security Administration (NHTSA), and a Good security ranking from the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS).

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage
Holding its personal on the grocery-getting entrance

Warranties

The 2022 Mirage comes with these warranties:

  • Powertrain – 10 years/100,000 miles 
  • New Car – Three years/36,000 miles      
  • Anti-Corrosion Perforation – Seven years/100,000 miles 
  • Roadside Help – 5 years/Limitless miles

Pricing

The 2022 Mirage Hatchback is available in 4 fashions—ES, LE, Black Version and SE. These are the bottom costs, excluding choices, however together with the obligatory $1,045 vacation spot and dealing with cost.

ES Handbook             $15,690

ES CVT                  $17,040

LE CVT                  $17,640

Black Version         $18,240

SE CVT                  $18,940

Observations: 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage SE

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage
It has its pluses

Mitsubishi says the Mirage is “the proper automobile for a buyer on the lookout for a brand new automotive, whereas buying on a finances.” To assist these prospects get into a brand new Mirage, versus a used automotive in unknown situation and which can be tough to get a mortgage for, Mitsubishi presents financing, which 90-percent of all new Mirage house owners make the most of.

Clear Fleet Report sees the Mirage filling a essential and vital function. Shoppers with low however regular incomes can get right into a dependable new automotive, with a powerful nationwide vendor community to face behind it. There’s a place for a automotive costing underneath $20,000 when the typical worth of a brand new automotive in 2022 is greater than twice that quantity.

Once we reviewed the 2017 Mirage, Mitsubishi mentioned it’s a “small automotive for large metropolis life” and a “worth equation…of high gasoline economic system, enticing pricing and among the best new automotive warranties.” Clear Fleet Report agreed then and now.

In case you want a small economical metropolis automotive, go to your native Mitsubishi vendor and see if the Mirage is best for you.

Be certain to opt-in to the Clear Fleet Report e-newsletter (high proper of web page) to be notified of all new tales and automobile critiques.

Story and Images by John Faulkner.

Our different small automotive explorations:

Highway Check: 2022 Kia Rio S 5-Door Hatchback

Highway Check: 2014 Nissan Versa Word

Highway Check: 2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback

Disclosure:

Clear Fleet Report is loaned free check automobiles from automakers to guage, usually for every week at a time. Our highway exams are based mostly on this one-week drive of a brand new automobile. Due to this we don’t handle points equivalent to long-term reliability or complete price of possession. As well as, we are sometimes invited to producer occasions highlighting new automobiles or know-how. As a part of these occasions we could also be supplied free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our greatest to current our unvarnished evaluations of automobiles and information irrespective of those inducements.

Our focus is on automobiles that supply the perfect gasoline economic system of their class, which leads us to emphasise electrical automobiles, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We additionally function these environment friendly gas-powered automobiles which are among the many high mpg automobiles of their class. As well as, we intention to supply critiques and information on superior know-how and the choice gasoline automobile market. We welcome any suggestions from automobile house owners and are devoted to offering a discussion board for different viewpoints. Please tell us your views at [email protected].

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