Mitsubishi Mirage (2013 – 2021)

Mitsubishi Mirage (2013 – 2021) | Expert Rating

Summary

The Mitsubishi Mirage is a small, supermini-class five-door hatchback. It was on sale from 2013 until Mitsubishi withdrew from the UK market altogether in 2021, with a number of updates over that eight-year period.

It’s an understatement to say that the Mitsubishi Mirage is not a good car. We actually found it difficult to put together a comprehensive Expert Rating for the Mirage, as there were simply very few reviews of the vehicle available. According to some of our review sources, Mitsubishi did not keep any Mirages on its press fleet in order to avoid unflattering reviews of the car being published…

The Mirage was considered sub-par when it was launched in the UK way back in 2013, and a couple of facelifts over the years did not close the gap to the rest of its supermini rivals, almost all of which have been replaced by all-new vehicles during the eight years the Mirage was on sale. By the time it was finally withdrawn from 2021, it had fallen a long way behind every other new small car on sale.

In short, there is no objective reason to choose a nearly-new Mitsubishi Mirage over any other similar small car on sale. It has by far the worst Expert Rating score of any car we have analysed, sitting at just 21% by the time Mitsubishi abandoned the UK in September 2021.

It could make a perfectly decent used car if you can find one cheap enough, but beyond price it’s definitely one to avoid.

Mirage highlights

Respectable fuel economy
Generous cabin space

Mirage lowlights

More expensive than budget rivals
Dated and cheap interior
Underwhelming engine quality
Poor steering dynamics
Easily surpassed by newer rivals

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatchbackEngines: petrol
Price: From £10,580 on-road

Launched: Spring 2013Last updated: Spring 2020
Removed from sale: Autumn 2021

Image gallery

autos, cars, mitsubishi, mitsubishi mirage, mitsubishi mirage (2013 – 2021)

Mitsubishi Mirage (2020 onwards)

Mirage (2020 onwards)

Mitsubishi Mirage (2016 – 2019)

Mitsubishi Mirage (2013 – 2016)

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Score: 4 / 10“It’s cheap to run and lavishly equipped, but the Mitsubish Mirage’s ride and handling is disappointing and it’s pricey too.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 4.4 / 10“The Mitsubishi Mirage has its merits, but it simply doesn’t have enough all-round ability for us to recommend it.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manualScore: 4 / 10“Likeable as the Mitsubishi Mirage’s thrummy engine, generous equipment and spacious cabin is, it’s too below-par to drive and noisy at speed to recommend in a class that contains the VW Up and its brethren, and it feels the heat too from the better-value Korean opposition.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manualScore: 6 / 10“While it’s undoubtedly cheap, there are other city cars around which can perform the same tasks just as well if not better for a similar price. The Mitsubishi Mirage is competent enough, but there’s a lot of strong competition nowadays which makes it harder to recommend.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 5.4 / 10“The Mitsubishi Mirage is well-equipped and cheap to run, but compared to the competition, it’s expensive to buy and not enjoyable to drive.”
Read review

Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 2 / 10“The Mitsubishi Mirage is a spacious city car that will prove cheap to run, but it’s undone by its cheap-feeling interior and tedious drive.”
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 3 / 10“When designing the Mirage, Mitsubishi was clear about the focus for its small car. Fuel economy, CO2 emissions and practicality are what the Mirage is built around. Unfortunately, that’s not enough to give the Mirage appeal and it lags behind the competition in too many key areas.”
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 2 / 10“Disappointing to drive. Steering is slow and lacks feel. Not as good as similarly priced hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Up or Kia Picanto.”
Read review

Motoring Research

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 3 / 10Nope, we’re stumped. We can’t see why anyone would choose a Mitsubishi Mirage over any of its city car rivals.
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 5 / 10“The Mitsubishi Mirage offers excellent running costs and ultra-low emissions but has a drab interior and rivals offer better value.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 3 / 10“Thinking about buying a Mitsubishi Mirage? Don’t. Now you can’t say we haven’t warned you. Especially awful.”
Read review

Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“There’s no sugar coating it – the Mitsubishi Mirage is a disappointment. The brochure makes it sound appealing, but in reality it’s noisy, uncomfortable, there’s strong body roll in the corners and the steering is awful. Also, fuel economy is far off the claim.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

The Mitsubishi Mirage was crash tested by Euro NCAP way back in 2012 and achieved a four-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2020 and is no longer valid.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Mitsubishi Mirage was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Mitsubishi Mirage, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Buy a Mitsubishi Mirage

If you’re looking for a used Mitsubishi Mirage, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car or a competitive finance deal

Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple.

We only have the best used cars for sale from selected dealers.

We Finance Any Car provides an alternative to dealer finance.

Motorly provides an alternative to dealer finance.

Keyword: Mitsubishi Mirage (2013 – 2021)