Some cars are shouldered with preconceived biases, positive or negative, based on the brand or model's respective pasts. Admittedly, we didn't expect too much from the Mitsubishi Mirage, the brand's three-cylinder-powered hope that bears a low, low pricetag.
Empathy and understanding were key to our week of getting to know the Mirage, the $12,995 hatchback upon which Mitsubishi has pinned its hope of turning potential used-car shoppers. The company claims that 2014 was a banner year for sales, but a weak presence in the United States remains.
In a market where the average new car transaction has crept above 30 grand, buying a new car for half that price is an interesting proposition. Where could Mitsubishi effectively cut the cost without sacrificing refinement?
Yes, there is much about the Mirage that is unrefined. Its doors slam with a hard echo. The amount of plastic content inside rivals The Container Store's. Its continuously variable automatic transmission groans and wails with irritation. The tinny sound from its four-speaker sound system that struggles to be heard at highway speed. The unsteadiness of its body, even under the lightest gust created by a vehicle passing. The attenuated nature of its tires. Its touch points, interior lighting, and rear-seat comfort.
Inherent to the rawness is simplicity, however, which reveals itself at all the right moments. Listen to the sound of its 74-hp three-banger—instead of bemoaning the lack of power—and find pleasure in wringing it out, buzzing about city traffic. (Its exhaust note is cheerfully reminiscent of a motor scooter's.) Constantly push the Mirage's limits, whether in handling, cargo capacity, or durability. Use the uplevel ES model's basic navigation system with greater ease than you would in a more complex, six-figure Bentley or Mercedes-Benz.
But for most Mirage customers, owning one means never having to tell friends that you've bought a used car because you couldn't afford to purchase or lease new. There are plenty of three-cylinder alternatives on the market, from the sublime Ford Fiesta SFE—the wünderkind of the subcompact market—to the Smart Fortwo, but both are either significantly more expensive (Fiesta) or compromised (Fortwo).
Therein is the reason why the Mirage exists: to eliminate the "couldn't" factor. It may not be a stellar, game-changing hatchback to drive, but it is a basic one that comes with a five-year guarantee—one that we hope does not outlast the company's presence in this country. In reality, while it's hard to recommend purchasing a brand-new Mirage over a well-cared-for used car of the same price, we applaud Mitsubishi for its gutsiness in showing American customers that a bargain-priced new car is possible for about 15 grand.
Sometimes, the best kind of surprise is the one you weren't expecting.
Honorable mention: Subaru Outback
Like the Mirage, we had a pretty good idea of what to expect from the 2015 Subaru Outback, which has seen its image transform from a rough-riding desert companion to the preferred ride to the natural foods grocery. But we were quite surprised by the feeling of normalcy in the 2015 Outback, as we enlisted it in the service of our everyday chores and activities: trips to see relatives, the office commute, and the dreaded Brooklyn parallel park. (We did toss in a quick trip to the community garden to test its rear compartment, and the Outback delivered in space and durability.) We can confidently say that the Outback is no longer an offbeat choice that requires an explanation, but rather an extremely efficient conveyance for the family that does not require a third row of seats.
For the last week of 2014, we're recounting some of our most memorable drives of the year. Check back each day until the new year for a new installment.
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