2020 Mitsubishi Mirage Reviews, Pricing & Specs

For the most basic new car on the market, look no further than the Mitsubishi Mirage. This subcompact hatchback is one of the most...

For the most basic new car on the market, look no further than the Mitsubishi Mirage. This subcompact hatchback is one of the most affordable and efficient cars you’ll find anywhere, and it carries over unchanged for 2020. The Nissan Versa, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, and Chevrolet Spark are its main competitors.

The Mirage hatchback is tiny, yet offers surprisingly good visibility from the driver’s seat and plenty of interior space. From the outside, it’s fairly unremarkable, as vehicles in this class tend to be. Depending on trim level, 14- or 15-inch alloy wheels are available. Buyers who prefer a sedan should look at the Mirage G4.

The Mirage is fitted with one of the most modest powertrains available in a new car, a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine rated for 78 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque, matched with front-wheel drive (FWD) and either a 5-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). It’ll get you where you need to go, but that’s about it. On the upside, you’ll enjoy great fuel-economy returns of 36 mpg city, 43 highway, and 39 combined with the CVT; the manual’s numbers drop to 33, 41, 36.

The Mirage lineup includes ES, LE, SE, and GT trims. Standard features include keyless entry and driver-seat height adjustment. The LE gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and red interior accents. The SE adds proximity key entry, push-button start, and a center armrest. With the GT, you’ll get automatic HID headlights.

The Mirage’s infotainment system features a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and a 4-speaker audio system. Upper trim levels include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Rockford Fosgate premium audio system is optional.

The 2020 Mirage earned a 4-star overall safety rating (out of a possible 5 stars) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing, the Mirage earned the top score of Good in three tests, with a Marginal result in the driver-side small overlap front test. Every 2020 Mirage comes standard with a reversing camera. Front and rear parking sensors are available.

It’s understandable that the Mitsubishi Mirage’s low base price will draw shoppers who need a new car as cheaply as possible, but it’s important to keep in mind that adding options or moving up through the trim levels quickly puts competitors within reach, especially since some competitors come with more standard equipment.