DECISIVE AUTO LATINO
LONG-TERM
2014 Mitsubishi Mirage
written by Valerie Menard
In the auto industry, more and more good things are coming in small packages. The newest addition comes from
Mitsubishi with its all-new sub-compact, the 2014 Mirage.
In the auto industry, more and more good things are coming in small
packages. The newest addition comes from Mitsubishi with its all-new subcompact, the 2014 Mirage.
I attended the launch last year in Canada but later was given the chance for
an extended test over three months.
The little five-door hatchback offers seating for five plus the versatility of
fold flat seats for added cargo room. The biggest selling point for this little
cutie, however, is its fuel economy. It made the “Greenest Vehicles List” by the
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and achieved an amazing
74.1 miles per gallon (mpg) in a driver challenge held by Mitsubishi. The
potential fuel savings in a non-hybrid vehicle carries great appeal.
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DECISIVE AUTO LATINO
The Automotive Science Group (ASG) named the Mirage the 2014 “Best
All-Around Performance Award” winner —the organization’s highest
award—along with the 2014 “Best Environmental Performance Award” in the
mini-compact class for the 2014 model year. Most recently, the Mirage was also
named “the most affordable vehicle shoppers can buy” by Cars.com.
The ASG’s analysis, “found the Mirage to hold the smallest environmental
footprint, not only in its class, but also of any conventionally powered model
year 2014 automobile available in the North American market.”
Powered by a three-cylinder 1.2-liter engine, the Mirage should earn an EPA
estimated 37 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 44 mpg on the highway with
the optional Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Mirage ES that I