Mistubishi Mirage Is Officially Dead in the U.S.

• Today, Automotive News reported the discontinuation of the Mitsubishi Mirage.
• Starting at $17,340, the affordable Mirage offers excellent fuel economy but less-than-stellar power and acceleration.
• The Japanese brand is expected to shift more focus to the crossover segment.

To be fair, the Mirage was never meant for speed. It fulfilled a need for inexpensive transport — the kind of cute and quirky thing that was in the same vein as the Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris.

"The Mirage became the modern Yugo, a used-car alternative for people who desperately wanted a new car," Sam Fiorani, vice president at AutoForecast Solutions, told Automotive News. "The Mirage's chief competition is a three-year-old Toyota Corolla with more interior space and a better ride.”

Edmunds insights director Ivan Drury told Automotive News that the discontinuation of the Mirage “signals that even shoppers looking for an affordable vehicle in the new-car market aren't willing to buy what is typically seen as a penalty box car."

Mitsubishi dealership owner Chadi Moussa disagreed, saying in the report that he believes people “who never bought Mitsubishi before will consider the Mirage because of the price point.”

The Mirage nameplate was ditched in Japan at the end of 2022 after 44 years on the market, so it’s no surprise to see the Mirage bite the dust in the U.S. as well.

Edmunds says

Mitsubishi has shown promise with its redesigned 2023 Outlander SUV, which is leaps and bounds better than the previous generation. We’re expecting better things to come from this brand.