Used 2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 i-MiEV, so we've included reviews for other years of the i-MiEV since its last redesign.
My experiment with the electric car just that
DocJr., 07/22/2017
updated 07/30/2018
2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
If San Diego Gas and Electric is your utility, then this review applies. I was one of the first adopters in my S. O'side neighborhood. As I am a huge Mitsubishi fan (I have two others), and, since an electric car was an experiment, and no used ones available yet in my local area, I took a plunge on the $12K (you can get a $7,500 Fed tax rebate and a $2,500 California credit) 2012 Mitsu (Leaf was at least 5K more) I got from out-of-state. But even with the special SDG&E EV rates (which require you to charge only at night or pay a penalty), I am averaging 20 miles/$. The (albeit ugly) Mitsu Mirage gets 50 mpg which at the current (temporarily low?) price of $3/gallon, works out to 16 miles/$. But here's the deal breaker. At around 30K miles, my range is down about 10%. I figure by 40K miles (next year sometime), the car will be not worth keeping unless Mitsu honors the battery warranty. Since a replacement battery is $10K (or so), and the car is worth around $4K on Craigs List now, my car has depreciated around (I bought it in 2013) $2K/year. I figure I am saving $195 (difference between a years gas at today's prices in the Mirage vs. the i-MiEV electricity cost). I looked at used Mirages, and they depreciate less, and, are able to get you to work and back after 40K miles. I wonder what California will do with all of the 4 and 5 year old electric cars that are just now trickling into junk yards (Leaf battery exchange is ONLY $5,500-parts only). Will I buy another electric? Heck ya, but let's see how the 200-mile latest and greatest (Chevy Bolt or Tesla Model 3) holds-up first. Sometime in 2018, I'll have to switch to driving my Mitsu SUV to work. One last thing, there are so many electric cars in S. Calif. now that the carpool isn't any faster when traffic is at it's worst. Jan 2018 update: Just hit 30K and my range is down 20%. I am just able to make it to work and back. Car still looks great. Too bad some third party doesn't make battery replacements. July 2018 update: have not noticed any further drop in range. Maybe it's because it is warmer and the car does seem to go father in warmer temps. My plant manager won't let me plug my car in at work anymore (was using an outlet on side of building since we have no dedicated EV charger). Now I have to drive my other car whenever I need to go somewhere at lunch or afterwork since my range has been reduced to getting my to work and back and not much else. FYI: a lot of early Leafs are hitting the junk yard because CA hasn't grasped the fact that owners need help funding battery replacements, but, this means I can pick-up spare chargers pretty cheap now.
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Best kept secret in the USA electric car market
carefulbuyer4, 09/18/2014
2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Had this car for nearly two years 10,000 miles. Better than expected. At the price, if Mitsubishi and its dealers had a clue how to sell these it should be the best selling EV in the USA. Worldwide there are more of these on the road (and have been on the road years longer) than any other commercial serious electric car. In my opinion, if you're shopping for an electric car in the under $33K range if you're lucky enough to be able to find one of these you'd do well to grab it. The demand is low because of lack of public knowledge of this car, but so is supply.
Excellent city car/second car or first Electric Ca
A J, 09/11/2017
updated 09/12/2019
2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV ES 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I owned the car for more than 3 years and driven over 20,000 miles. Bought it used and got a great deal on it. After a couple issues that were resolved under warranty (long time at dealership due to parts availability). However, they gave me something else to drive for free so no major complaints. It is a basic car which serves it purpose well, for around town car and for small drives. I do not take it on the highway or long trips. Charge it overnight with the OEM charger and lasts me couple days due to short commute and occasional trips to the grocery store. Using the heat in winter causes about 30% dip in the weather, including defrosting the car while plugged in with the remote. The car has a good getup and go from stop, however not the best handling in slightly bad weather. I installed winter tires and survived just fine. The heated driver seat is extremely hot and I rarely use it. The car gets a lot of attention and comments. It is our primary car and have saves us a lot of trips to the gas station. Seats are very basic and not comfortable for long rides or bumpy roads, the storage space is very minimal; however rear seats fold flat. I have driven 72 miles with 6 miles left on the guess-o-meter. Update** The car does surprisingly well in Chicago winter also with some snow tires. There is surprising amount of room in the car if you ever have to carry some cargo. I can fit a 7 ft Christmas tree or 15+ bags of mulch and 30+ folding chairs in the car. Excellent car for city use or for a work car.
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After 2 weeks and 140 miles
newb_i, 04/20/2012
2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
9 of 14 people found this review helpful
After 2 weeks of daily driving still as satisfied as the first day I got it. Easy to park, confortable for its size, and the best... NO GAS. My recommended improvements for the i-MiEV Engineers: need to improve the noise isolation from outside, when in traffic, one can hear outside noise, with the windows closed as they were open. Thee suspension/stability maybe improved to make freeway commuting more smooth and minimize suceptibility to strong winds. Overall, I am very satisfy with the i-MiEV. I recommend it if your rutinary commute is within 50-60 miles in between charges.
A used one is the greatest secret in cars.
genec, 11/30/2015
2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV ES 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
Mitsubishi just upped their warranty on the battery to 10 years, 100,000 miles. If you can score a used Miev for under $10k and under 10k miles, you will have achieved something really valuable. All-electric cars have many less parts than a gas engine care counterpart, so expect much less in terms of repairs/maintenance. That's a dirty little secret about electric cars and the reason that car dealers don't push them, dealerships make 3 times the money in maintenance than they do in car sales. So, beat the system and get an electric. And if you get a solar array on your house or in your backyard you will be transporting yourself using sunlight as your fuel source. How cool is that? Oh yeah, there is no sales tax on used electrics. I saved another $700 that way.
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Great urban car or 2nd car, fun to drive.
Barry Levine, 11/20/2018
2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV ES 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I've had my iMiev for over 2 yrs. First off, EPA range of 64 mi. refers to highway driving. On city or suburban roads, the range is as high as 80 miles, although in very cold weather this will drop to about 60 miles. "Range Anxiety" will dissipate once you're familiar with the car. Battery status and range-remaining gauges are useful. Planning your trips with Google maps is worth doing, if you're approaching the range limits. BTW, back roads are usually shorter, more pleasant, with less traffic. The car is responsive with good pickup, although this is more noticeable when moving than from a dead stop. But I leave plenty of folks in the dust when a light changes, if I need to. Pretty quiet but typical small car road noise at higher speeds. Not bad on the highway, but you'll be much happier at 70 than 80. Charging time (for completely discharged battery) is 14 hrs at 110V and I just charge it overnight, no problem. I plan my trips (musician, traveling to local gigs) and have driven home on "the turtle" (low battery indicator on) just once. No more gas stations! Charging time only 7 hrs if you invest in a 220V charger. The car also has the fast-charge slot (80% in 30 min.) but I don't use it. On the con side, the rear seats are not rated as safe as the front seats. Using the electric heat will pull the range down 10 or more miles (but it has heated front seats, and with a 12V lap blanket, winter in New England is tolerable.) The AC works well, and pulls down the range 7 miles or so if run continuously. Back seats fold down, so the car can haul plenty of stuff if need be. "The little car that could."
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Winner for running errands in town!
Jamu Joe, 09/02/2018
2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV ES 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The MiEV is a winner for short range errands. We have a plush RAM 1500 Limited for long range trips, towing our Airstream and hauling stuff, but for errand trips to town (Durango, CO), I much prefer the MiEV. Adequate range, easy parking in tight spaces downtown, extremely economical and fun to drive. No, it's not a Tesla, it's plain and a bit funky, but so what. I love passing by the gas stations to recharge in my own garage. It even handles snow on our steep driveway amazingly well.
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great alternative to nissan leaf
Jack, 08/10/2016
2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV ES 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Does the same thing as Nissan's leaf but costs less and has more headroom
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MItsubishi will not honor battery warranty
Tony J, 11/18/2020
2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV ES 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought a Mitsubishi Miev in 2013. While it is basic, it was well designed and has given me years of service. However, I counted on its 10 year battery warranty. The range has declined to 35 miles to 40 miles, inconsistently and unreliably. I only drive sporadically, so the car has been driven only about 28,000 miles. The annual average for American drivers is 12,000 miles per year. Despite the fact that the battery does not provide a useful range at this point, and the range is between 50% to 66% of the original expected range, and despite the fact that the battery has only been used approximately a third of what would have been expected by now, Mitsubishi has refused to honor its battery warranty. I recommend that you buy electric vehicles, but that you buy them from a company other than Mitsubishi.
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