The Mitsubishi Mirage G4: What does this subcompact car offer?
Japanese automotive manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors Corporation first introduced the Mitsubishi Mirage brand in 1978. Today, the Mirage model is available in hatchback and sedan variants. The Mirage G4 is the sedan version, a four-door subcompact car aimed at first-time buyers and those looking for a practical vehicle for city driving and running errands. It mainly targets small families and young car owners. It may not be as trendy as its five-door hatchback counterpart, but it scores high in usability and practicality.
As part of the government's Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy Program (CARS), Mitsubishi has been assembling Mirage G4 in its vehicle assembly plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna since February 2017.
A fuel-efficient sedan for city driving
Under the hood, the Mirage G4 is powered by Mitsubishi's 1.2-liter three-cylinder MIVEC mill that pumps out 77hp and 100Nm of torque at 4,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). Shoppers may choose between a 5-speed manual transmission (MT) or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Mirage G4 is not available in automatic transmission.
The Mirage G4 is available in the following variants: GLX 1.2 MT, GLX 1.2 CVT, GLS 1.2 MT, and GLS 1.2 CVT. The cars come in several exterior color options, namely Medium Blue Mica, Majestic Red, Savanna White, Virgil Gray, Cool Silver, Pyrenese Black, and the newly added Sundance Orange and Wine-Red Pearl introduced with the 2018 update.
All 2018 Mirage G4 models, although still styled the same, receive some exterior facelift – new taillights and redesigned extended rear bumper. The top variant GLS features swept-back headlights, with fog lamps gracing its angular front bumper. It also comes with power side view mirrors that integrates LED Turn Signals.
The GLX and GLS variants both run on 15-inch alloy wheels. The top of the line GLS' even sports a dark chrome finish that gives the vehicle a sporty look.
Peeking inside, one will find a premium-looking interior. It is easy to notice the use of hard plastic materials in the cabin, but one should remember that this car comes is intended as an entry-level sedan. The top of the line GLS CVT is 4,305mm in length, 1,607mm in width and 1,515mm in height. Given these dimensions, the car proves useful when navigating through a traffic jam, narrow city streets, or fitting into tight parking spaces.
Despite its subcompact car status, the 2018 Mirage G4 boasts of 89.5 cubic feet of passenger volume, which means there is enough room inside to comfortably seat five adults. The 2018 Mirage G4 takes pride in a well-distributed interior space. The front row offers 39.1 inches of headroom and 41.7 inches of legroom, while the rear area provides 36.9 inches of headroom and 37.2 inches for the legs.
The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sports a three-spoke steering wheel, with those found in high-grade variants wrapped in leather. The seats are covered in fabric, with the driver's seat fully adjustable. In front of the driver is an information display with Eco Assist Lamp. As for the car's entertainment system, there is a touchscreen display that shows the controls for AM/FM radio, CD and MP3, iPod interface, Aux, Bluetooth, and USB. The GLX sports a 7-inch touchscreen while the GLS comes with a 6.75-inch multimedia entertainment system equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS). It also makes available a 12V power socket and a four-speaker sound system.
Lifting the trunk cover, the Mirage G4 offers up to 12.3 cubic feet of cargo space that could easily accommodate several medium-sized bags and even two to three large ones. The rear seat features a pass-through spot that offers easy access to the trunk, offering passengers a convenient way to fetch things from the trunk without having to get out of the car.
For its price tag, the Mirage G4 comes with decent safety features. All variants are equipped with dual front airbags that will protect the driver and front seat passenger in case of direct collisions. They also come with Anti-Lock Braking System, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and an emergency stop signal (ESS). ISOFIX anchors for child car seats and keyless entry and start are also available but only in the GLS variants. Drivers can also use the touchscreen multimedia system as a rear-view guide when driving in reverse.
The Mirage G4 scores high in fuel efficiency, with an approximate consumption of 35 miles per gallon when driving in the city and 41 miles per gallon on the highway. Considering the car's small size and fuel-efficient engine, the Mirage G4 is an ideal subcompact sedan for daily city driving.
The entry-level Mirage G4 GLX 1.2 MT has a PHP 630,000 SRP, while the top of the line Mirage G4 GLS 1.2 CVT sells for PHP 717,000 as of Dec. 1, 2018.
Should you buy the Mitsubishi Mirage G4?
Pros
- Fuel-efficient
- Size makes it easy to navigate through busy city streets
- Ample interior space
- Affordable price
Cons
- Priced higher than similar subcompact cars from competing brands
- Acceleration is slow
- Noticeable use of hard plastic in the cabin
- Small and thin tires
