2017 Mitsubishi Mirage: First Impressions
It’s said that “you never get a second chance at a first impression,” but Mitsubishi is hoping that’s not the case as it introduces the 2017 Mirage at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. The subcompact hatchback had a less than impressive debut four years ago with a design that was outdated from the day it debuted.
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The redesigned Mirage’s biggest change is its nose, which has been completely reworked. It is a vast improvement over the old look, which wasn’t styled so much as flattened; the old Mirage looked like a block of clay up front with no styling at all. The 2017 Mirage remedies that with an actual grille, updated front and rear bumpers, and new wheel designs. For the most part, the new design is successful; it looks modern and has enough chrome accents to give the front end some flair without descending into kitsch.
New LED taillights spruce up the rear slightly, but beyond changes to the front the exterior of the Mirage is much the same. When viewed in profile, the new model is virtually indistinguishable from the old apart from the new wheels.
Inside, there are some subtle changes like new seat fabrics and a new steering wheel, but the differences don’t enhance the cabin. The interior still uses an overwhelming amount of hard plastic, which is expected in this price range but unpleasant nonetheless. And the simple design isn’t flattering, but it is more ho-hum than unattractive.
Some interior quirks remain: There isn’t a USB port; instead you can plug your USB charging cable into another cable that runs out of the glove box. This setup is cluttered and leaves wires hanging about. One pet peeve: There’s no center armrest for the front passenger or the driver.
Interior room is unchanged, with the new Mirage keeping the same wheelbase as the previous model. The Mirage offers a decent amount of rear headroom because the ceiling curves upward for more space, but rear legroom is still hard to come by. With the driver’s seat set at a comfortable position for my 5-foot-11-inch frame, I climbed into the backseat and found my knees firmly planted into the front seatback. At 17.2 cubic feet, cargo room is surprisingly good; it’s helped by a deceptively low cargo floor that dips down below the hatchback’s opening.
The most exciting interior addition is the new display audio system that’s standard on the SE and GT trims. It includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and is the first of Mitsubishi’s vehicles to feature these smartphone-friendly systems. It’s also one of only two cars in the segment to offer these technologies; the other is the Chevrolet Spark.
The previous Mirage found an audience with shoppers who put an emphasis on value, fuel economy and a robust warranty. Now Mitsubishi is hoping to keep those buyers engaged while adding enough styling and technology to give it more mass-market appeal. The automaker has been mum on pricing. The Mirage is scheduled to arrive in dealerships in spring 2016.
