2014 Mitsubishi Mirage 3-cyl coming to U.S. & Canada this year - 40 MPG (US) combined

[niky]

CVTs are great for economy. From initial reports, the Mirage CVT offers economy benefits similar to the Honda CVT offered in the Insight and international variants of the Honda Fit. The issue with the Mirage's competitors, like the Spark and the Kia Morning, are they're saddled with old-school 4ATs that really suck the life out of those tiny engines.

My favorite CVTs, however, are Nissan's. The CVT in the Sentra is absolutely fantastic in how flexible it is at choosing acceleration ratios and aggressiveness.

[user removed]

My wife, who is not a hypermiler, just a very conservative driver, averaged close to 29 MPG in her 09 Rogue, which was rated at 27 highway (from memory). I thought she could beat that with her 12 Sorento with the GDI 4 cylinder but this is not the case. She is averaging around 27 which is not bad considering the Sorento weighs about 500 pounds more than the Rogue.

The new Nissan Sentra is rated at 40 highway with the new CVT and the Altima is rated at 38 highway. The combined rating for the CVT equipped new model Versa is 35 MPG with the CVT and 40 highway, excellent for an inexpensive base model car.

I started another thread about my experience with CVTs and the transmission in my Fiesta but accidentally wiped it out with my pinky finger just before I posted the post. I am recovering from the flu and have been in bad shape for a week now. Maybe I'll wise up next year a get a flu shot.

regards
Mech

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I have absolutely nothing against the CVT. Among the automatic transmissions this is the best layout for torque management in small engines, with minimal parasitic losses.

Maybe Nissan should bring the March, already available in Mexico, to the American market. There's already a 3cyl 1.2L in overseas markets, including a Miller-cycle one, which would be a great match to the CVT and turn it into a great competitor for the Mirage if it ever come there.

[tjts1]

I'm honestly surprised Mitsubishi is still trying to sell cars to Americans. Every effort they made for the last 5 years has been an abject failure. It looks like they are going to maintain that tradition. If you are willing to over look the mediocre styling and reputation for appalling reliability, this Mitsubishi might be a good used car buy after the 50% first year depreciation kicks in.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Must confess I actually dislike Mitsubishi very much.

[mechman600]

Ok, I am going to have to say that the 2013 Mirage is REALLY growing on me.

1. It doesn't look THAT bad. Almost reminiscent of a first gen Insight....from certain angles, anyway.
2. 57.3 MPG? Seriously? What other car can achieve that without battery packs or alternating current or diesel fuel?
3. We always complain that cars get fatter as each new generation is released. Look at the new Civic compared to the 1980's...or the Corolla...or even the Swift (European one vs. original). Finally: a modern day Metro/Swift/Firefly/Sprint/(insert the name of any other $h1t box here) the way it was always meant to be.

[MetroMPG]

I've been looking at lots of pics of this car lately, and I still think it's pretty homely. But I also think that won't matter to most people shopping in this segment, as long as it is also cheap. For illustration, see: Nissan Versa sedan.

Finally: a modern day Metro/Swift/Firefly/Sprint

I agree.

I think this car may turn out to match or beat the EPA combined rating of the last 3-cyl Suzuki-clone sold, also unseating the Toyota IQ as the most efficient (combined EPA) non-hybrid in the US/Can market.

UPDATE: correct on both counts. Mirage = Best non-hybrid fuel economy available in North America. And the Mirage's mileage is as good as my "factory" (unmodified) '98 Firefly/Metro 1.0L.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Maybe a manual wouldn't be a bad option, but honestly I believe it wouldn't be so advantageous over the CVT.

[MetroMPG]

You're right, as far as the average driver goes.

But in the hands of a motivated/skilled driver, a manual will simply spank the CVT in urban driving, I have no doubt.

The open road is a different story. That will depend on top gear/final drive ratios.

Regardless, I'm hopeful that we'll get the choice. The U.K. Mirage has both transmissions, as does Australia/NZ (I think ... nope! Correction: NZ will only get the CVT.). Canada should get the choice because we tend to buy significantly more small cars with manuals per-capita than Americans do, but we may get lumped in with the U.S. anyway because we're joined at the hip.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I wouldn't doubt the manual to figure at least as an option, but probably available only under request.