A MIRAGE OF VALUE? (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_mitsubishimiragejuro_2017

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 72

Mitsubishi's little Mirage is a rational but surprisingly appealing five-door petrol-powered citycar that revitalised its proposition in this improved post-2015-era form. Passenger space, safety and efficiency are all strong selling points but the high equipment levels are probably what you'll remember most about it. It's not the most dynamic choice you could make in this segment from the 2016-2021 era, but in all other respects, we think it's well worth a look.

Modelsword count: 4

5dr Hatchback (1.2 petrol)

Historyword count: 463

Small cars are designed for people who want motoring conducted on a very small operating budget. But that doesn't necessarily mean that buyers of this sort are looking for a budget feel. Some want their sense and sensibility with a bit of style - and maybe a little of the luxury that they've been used to when owning larger cars in the past. It's at these people that Mitsubishi targeted this model, the updated post-2015-era version of their Mirage citycar. You haven't heard of it? Then you're not alone. Which in period was disappointing for Mitsubishi since when it turns its hand to compact little cars, this Japanese brand tends to do them rather well. Not that this happens very often. Prior to this Mirage model's original arrival here in the Spring of 2013, you have to look as far back as 2004 to find the last time this manufacturer brought an all new design into the small car sector - and that under-rated Colt model was more of a Fiesta-sized supermini. This Mirage represented Mitsubishi's first stab at the more affordable citycar segment for slightly smaller runabouts, one dominated in this period by models like the Volkswagen up!, the Peugeot 108 and the Fiat Panda. The early 2013-2015-era version of this Mirage struggled to make much of an impact, not because it was a bad car but more because of slightly muddled market positioning. The Mirage wasn't really priced low enough to interest hair shirt budget citycar customers wanting something really cheap, people buying models like Suzuki's Celerio or bargain basement products from Dacia or MG. Nor did it feel plush and sophisticated enough to interest folk prepared to pay premium prices for upper-spec versions of cars in this segment. A bit of a re-think was needed. A bit of a re-think took place. And in 2016, Mitsubishi re-launched the car, initially only in plush 'Juro' form. That 'Juro' version came equipped with the kind of features you simply wouldn't expect for a car of this kind - things like heated seats, power-folding mirrors, cruise control, Bi-Xenon headlights, a DAB radio and much more. But Mitsubishi couldn't make it pay and the 'Juro' disappeared from Mirage price lists in 2018, to be replaced by a lightly updated range featuring models that generally were less plushly trimmed. These had to return to an emphasis on attributes that the original version of this model had always had but that previously, no one really took much notice of. Things like the frugal 1.2-litre three cylinder engine, the strong standards of safety and, perhaps best of all, the class-leadingly light body weight that drives down running costs. The Mirage sold in this form until Mitsubishi pulled out of the UK market at the end of 2021.

What You Getword count: 312

Even if you didn't know that the Mitsubishi design team had set out to style the most aerodynamic small car you can buy, you might guess the fact from a look at this Mirage. Everything about the shape - the front grille with its minimal opening, the wind-cheating front bumper, the deeply sculpted sides - all of it's there to optimise a slippery airflow, and though the result certainly isn't the most distinctive look in the citycar sector from the 2016-2021 era, it's one that effectively achieves its objectives, with a 0.27Cd drag co-efficient that embarrasses boxier rivals. And inside? Well it was upgraded in post-2015-era Mirage models, particularly with the plush 'Juro'-spec models that feature classy piano-black trimming and black leather upholstery. There's also plenty of storage space, plus Bluetooth connectivity with music streaming, a USB slot, an aux-in point and a DAB radio. Other rare features to find in this sector at an affordable price from this period include heated seats and climate control for the air conditioning. On the back seat, things are just as they were with the original version of this design, save for the classier upholstery trim. There's a usefully low transmission tunnel, the low window line makes things feel light and airy and, as we said when we tested the earlier version of this car, the overall amount of space you get in the back is impressive given the diminutive exterior dimensions. And cargo space? Well fitting in larger items is slightly impeded by the high-ish loading lip and restricted hatch opening, but once you've got your stuff in and pushed forward the 60:40 split-folding rear bench, there's 600-litres of capacity if you load up to the window line and 910-litres of space if you're able to load up to the roof level. Not many cars in the class from this era can better that.

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