STAR TURN (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 187

If you're in the market for a mini or supermini sized MPV, chances are you won't have Mitsubishi's Space Star in pole position on your shortlist. Why? It certainly isn't the quickest, the most spacious, the cleverest or the cheapest candidate around. What it does offer is a comfortable middle ground, a smartly styled appearance and an impressive range of engines. Most will overlook it in favour of more conspicuous offerings such as the Renault Scenic, Fiat Multipla or Vauxhall Zafira, but in truth the Mitsubishi is a smaller, less ambitious proposition more akin to a Daihatsu Grand Move. To ignore a used Space Star because of this is to pass a competent offering by, and one that offers 90% of the utility of mini MPVs at a modest price. If you want a nearly new micro MPV that does nothing badly and won't go out of fashion by the end of the month, then a Mitsubishi Space Star bears closer scrutiny. The post 2002 model offers improved build quality and a number of neat packaging tricks. With used prices as they are, it deserves your attention.

Modelsword count: 17

Models Covered: 2002-to date (5 dr Mini MPV 1.3, 1.6 petrol, 1.9 DI-D diesel [Classic, Mirage, Equippe])

Historyword count: 175

Although the Colt Space Star had been marketed in the UK since late 1998, it remained largely beneath the mainstream radar despite the availability of the radical 1.8-litre Gasoline Direct Injection engine that aimed to make a petrol-powered car drive like a petrol but drink like a diesel. Few seemed to care. In July 2002, a new Space Star (minus the 'Colt' tag) appeared in the UK. Though the 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines remained as before, the 1.8-litre GDI petrol unit was dropped in favour of the 101bhp 1.9-litre DI-D diesel unit used in the larger Carisma. Prices were realigned and the range refined to just two trim levels, Mirage and Equippe. A Classic entry-level version appeared in early 2003. Every exterior panel was new but you wouldn't have known it. Inside, the look and feel was much improved - there were even cupholders in the rear. It still failed to capture the imagination of UK buyers despite being a markedly better car than its progenitor. The last Space Stars were sold in 2006.

What You Getword count: 224

Those who recall earlier iterations of the Space Star will appreciate the facelift that's been visited upon this model. With a colour-keyed front bumper, an integrated grille, black protective mouldings and revised headlights and indicators, the look is a good deal more contemporary. Squint hard and you can even make out design cues from the Lancer Evo models in the frontal aspect. Squint harder still and you can make it look like a Ferrari 360 but this isn't wholly recommended - your gurning mug may scare small children. The rear lights have also been smoothed over and every model is fitted with alloy wheels. The interior has also come in for a freshening. The upholstery is markedly superior to the 'old' Space Star, as is the quality of the plastics used about the cabin. The centre console has been redesigned to bring it into the here and now, as has the steering wheel. There are even cup holders for rear passengers. Whilst the seating arrangement doesn't mirror that of a fully paid-up member of the mini-MPV club, storage capacity certainly does. As well as being fitted with huge door bins, the Space Star also has stowage space beneath the passenger seat, in the back of the front seats and in the centre console. Locating a carelessly secreted Yorkie can detain you for some time.

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