Used 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT) Consumer Reviews
Used Mirage for sale
Most "Honest" car on the market
Bryan, Coos Bay, OR, 08/09/2015
updated 12/16/2024
Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
124 of 124 people found this review helpful
Don't believe all the negative reviews from the media. The Mirage may be the most "honest" vehicle on the market today. Simple, reliable transportation with a quality drivetrain that delivers excellent mileage. The 3A92 motor is a very good motor designed for longevity. Timing chain instead of a belt with a double overhead cam. You shouldn't be able to wear out either the 5 speed or CVT. Other than replacing the clutch on the manual and changing the gear oil it should last a really really long time. The CVT is way over engineered for the Mirage. The JATCO Cvt7 is designed for up to 150hp and the Mirage has 74hp. Yes, with the CVT it can be kinda slow off the start but the Mirage just isn't designed to be a performance car. Once rolling along I've had no issues with passing. If you've ever owned a Colt, Metro, Fiesta, Swift, Echo, Aveo or any other low cost subcompact you'll love the Mirage. Is it perfect? No. The ride is soft and handling is a little wonky but I've gotten more than 50mpg on the highway. Better than hybrid mileage for less than 1/2 the cost of a hybrid. The haters are gonna hate this car no matter what. I'll just keep smiling at every fill up knowing that my cost per mile factoring in mileage & price of the vehicle just can't be beat! It's been 7 months now and I still love my Mirage. It's been flawless in it's operation and no issues have popped up. Once the updated 2017's come out I'm thinking about buying a second one used with a 5 speed. Update #2-It's been 14 months of problem free ownership. Has 74hp been enough? Yes, but if I lived in an area where A/C usage was required constantly it would be more of a struggle. Overall, my opinion still stands. Great inexpensive, efficient car. Not exciting, not powerful, not a sports car, just good basic frugal transportation. Update #3-The Mirage continues to deliver reliable, efficient ownership. 27,000 miles now with no issues. Combined overall MPG has been right at 40. Still love this little car. Update #4-It's been over 2 years of trouble free ownership. 36,000 miles now with no issues. I've replaced the front tires but other than oil changes and two air filters no other maintenance items. We continue to love our Mirage! Update #5-Just hit the 50,000 mile mark and 3 years of trouble free ownership. Replaced the rear tires and cabin air filter since last update. Other than regularly scheduled oil changes no issues whatsoever. Still highly recommend this little car for basic, inexpensive, efficient transportation. Update #6-now over 83,000 miles and 4 1/2 years of trouble free ownership. Replaced the front tires, got a front end alignment. Regular oil changes and replaced the engine air filter. No issues whatsoever. Continues to deliver great economy with rock solid reliability. Update #7-06/13/22 It's been over 6 1/2 years 120k+ miles and zero mechanical problems. On the 3rd set of tires, 2nd set of front brakes, originals still in the rear. CVT fluid has been changed once. Regular oil changes every 5000 miles, still the original spark plugs. Runs great and is ultra reliable. Update #8: The Mirage continues to deliver problem free reliable service. No mechanical issues and just regular oil changes. It's due for a new set of plugs but that's it. Cost of maintenance on the Mirage has been virtually zero outside of regular maintenance items. Best bang for the buck if you just want no nonsense, reliable, economical transportation. Update #9: 12/14/23. Just a little over 125k miles now with no issues. Fuel mileage is still excellent and no mechanical problems whatsoever. I'm still on the original set of spark plugs along with the original rear brakes. Over 8 years of ownership now with no problems. Update #10: Another year of no issues with the Mirage. Didn't put a ton of miles on it this year just turned over 130k miles. Going to complete a drain and fill of the CVT and change the oil. New Spark Plugs are on the list in the next few months. Still running the OEM plugs. It gets me everywhere I want to go reliably with great mpg's.
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Follow Up On Mirage ES CVT
distantthunder, Brooklyn, NY, 04/28/2015
updated 11/30/2020
Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
105 of 107 people found this review helpful
It's a 12014 leftover as as an fyi. I did my research...oh did I do my research on this car. I am truly grateful for all those owners that posted their honest opinions, likes and dislikes which were more informative than the jaded opinions of the professional reviewers. I am of the generation that wished for a simpler, inexpensive car that got great gas mileage with manual roll down windows. If I could have fit this car into that one Corvair body year I liked it would have been perfect. I absolutely love this car. I've seen Consumer Reports trashing this car (more than once). I'd like to think I have reasonable expectations when buying a new car (I've have over 10 in the last 45 years during that time driving about 40,000 miles per year) knowing what are the pluses and minuses of each so I don't know if I can be accused as having low expectations and/or if Consumer Reports has some sort of issue with their own evaluations of vehicles. It's almost as if they're being prissy about it as if they're being put-upon by having to explain to us lesser mortals what should be obvious to everyone. Well, it may be obvious to them, but not to me. If I want something that is a definitive sports car I'll get a Corvette; if I want something that defines luxury maybe one of those in the class of a Lexus, top-end Hyundai, etc. I wanted something this time as an economical alternative to the wife's very nice SUV as a practical matter. For 14 thousand, contrary to Consumer Reports, the car handles well-enough, has enough power if you drive it intelligently on the road (I used to own the original Volkswagen normally aspirated diesel which taught you to be aware of your driving conditions and to think ahead), the CVT works well with the non-hybrid 3 cylinder without the extra weight, added costs and complexity of a hybrid, has proximity sensors and a decent radio with mapping and Bluetooth. Of all things, the fit and finish is better on this car than ALL of my previous new ones-and cripes, it's made in Thailand. But then I did take the time on the lot to look for the one that looked the best to me in terms of fit and finish and took it for a test drive. Yes, it doesn't have a center console but with the space savings I found I didn't need it. Yes, it doesn't have Corinthian leather, but it saves me attempting to patch it when the dog attempts to claw it to death. Yes, it doesn't like potholes and bumps. But on a decent road it rides as well as the wife's SUV. Yes, it leans on turns and I would have preferred to have a sway bar, but not dangerously so unless you are stupid enough to try to drive it like a sports car. Yes, it has 14 inch tires and I would have preferred 15 inches. But it actually drives pretty good in the snow. Yes, because the car is so light it doesn't like strong crosswinds and the CVT intrudes in the cockpit on heavy acceleration. So what? I'll take that for 50 mpg with the air off. And it has "gasp" a spare tire unlike the low end Hyundai and the newer model version of my previous Optima. You get a can of useless flat tire repair for that. But to my immense irritation, it didn't have hooks to hang laundry like on my last car. After grousing about that to the wife for about a week I ordered a hanger from Amazon that attaches to the back of the front passenger seat. All is good. As an update which was requested Update request by Edmunds: the CVT has been properly matched with the engine and is very smooth...for a 3 cylinder noise and vibration is better than most of the 4 cylinders from other cars in that class...and I test drove most of them...doors have stayed aligned unlike previous cars and there are absolutely no creaks or rattles...I have never had that with any other car and there are some really bad roads in NJ...I still can't understand Consumer Reports and other "professional" reviewers trashing this car...one of the few objective evaluations I have seen of this car came from MotorWeek...and from individual assessments from actual owners found on the 'net...I do like the ground clearance the car has consider it is a small car which works well in snow unlike a earlier Honda I had that acted like a snow plow...Third update requested by Edmunds: If you want me to say something as if it's a negative review that agrees with the professionals...oh yes...the "professionals"...it "ain't" happening...no squeeks or rattles from their genius testers were using vehicles that were pounded to a fair thee well on in their "tests"...again...when an economy car has been so railed against by a so-called consumer agency and it has worked so well for me at my age and perspective I begin to wonder if it's not the cars but the people that evaluate them that should be called into question. Re: requested Edmunds update 11/26/20...still perfect.
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2015 Mitsubishi Mirage for sale near you
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Buy it already!
douglas lafferty, Lake Forest, CA, 11/04/2015
Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
26 of 26 people found this review helpful
Bought this car over the phone in New Hampshire on a Sunday afternoon. Two days later I rented a car drove from CT to pick it up and drive back. The only thing I knew about this car was it was affordable with great mpg's, had very poor professional reviews but extremely positive consumer reviews. The first time I sat in it was after the transaction as complete and I was driving home. I was blown away on my 3 + hour trip back with how awesome this car is! Everything that the professional reviewers say with the exception that it does feel "slightly" top heavy in highway speed turns as totally false. This car is a blast! Did 70-75 mph all the way home, hardly touching the pedal and got 47.6 average mpg! It feels like a much bigger car and is way bigger than you think inside. I love this car, I feel it is very well built a blast to drive and with the gas mileage, it's almost like driving for free! Mine is an ES model with CVT .
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So glad I went with this car!
Dawn C, Phoenix, AZ, 07/09/2015
Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
26 of 26 people found this review helpful
I've owned a 1998 mirage, still have it at 150, 000 plus miles it's still running great. This is one of the reasons that made me initially interested in the 2015 mirage. Things I love: Compact, easy to park and turn around, I can't even begin to describe how much the MPG impacts me, it's amazing, I got 42.5 mpg just city driving so far, I can't wait to take it on a longer trip to see how it does. I love the temperature setting, you can adjust it as low as 61 and I think as high as 89, i can't remember I haven't had to use the heat setting yet (summer in AZ). I got the ES model with the bluetooth, cruise control, drivers seat adjusts in height, I love that feature, it's not as low to the ground that way, makes it easier to get in and out of. I love the fact that I don't have to use the remote if I don't want to, I can simply push the button my car and get in, as long as I have the fast key remote on me. I LOVE my new car!!!! I was listening to other people telling me what I should get etc. and so glad I went with my gut feeling and got what I know and trust. Plus, you cannot beat the warranty. Now for the cons: No center console, but I can probably fix that problem and buy something to work as others have, especially for long trips it would be nice to have that. It has all sorts of warning lights that come on when there is a problem. I like those, however I already dislike the TPMS light for low tires, I'm having an issue with that coming on even though the dealer just filled my tired 2 days ago, so back to the dealer I go with that issue. That wouldn't sway me from buying this car, just an annoyance. The back seat isn't real big, it's ok for children but I don't think adults would be to comfy on a long trip. It does take a bit to get used to the steering, my first day it was horrible I felt like I was all over the place. Now, I've got that figured out and happy with it. I would definitely buy it again and recommend if you are wanting something small, great on gas and a great warranty.
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Professional Reviews vs Customer Ratings
distantthunder, Brooklyn, NY, 04/01/2015
updated 10/02/2020
Mitsubishi Mirage ES 4dr Hatchback (1.2L 3cyl CVT)
39 of 40 people found this review helpful
This is the best car for the price I have owned other than the original normally aspirated Volkswagen Rabbit diesel. My priority was mpg and I'm getting about 54 for this 2014 leftover. The build on this car is tight with all seams aligned. The CVT is not dangerously slow. You just have to think a little ahead in certain circumstances as I did with my Volkswagen. I out-accelerate heavier SUVs. This is a very light car so there is wind buffeting but I'll take that considering the mpg. Comfortable seating. No harsh vibration from the engine at idle. Better than most 4 cylinders in similar cars tested. Engine is smooth and the noise level is only intrusive at hard acceleration. Good radio. Update requested by Edmunds 4/2/2019: CVT is very smooth. Air conditioning and heating more than adequate. Car has remained "tight" with no squeaks and rattles with all seams still aligned. It doesn't especially like bumps and potholes but for what the vehicle gives me in mpg I'll "suffer though it" unlike the pansies at CR and the other car mags. I've had plenty of larger & heavier cars that rode worse than this. The car is nimble enough for both turns and off ramps if you don't try to drive it like a sports car. Ride in the snow was surprisingly good with decent underside clearance unlike my other other small cars that acted like a snow plow. Update requested by Edmunds 10/2/2020: Car remains tight with no squeaks or rattles. Car has been perfect. No issues.
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