Darin's test drive review notes: 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 sedan 1.2L CVT

[niky]

The Prius C actually does decent numbers.

Could probably beat or match the Mirage, even with the bigger 1.5 liter engine.

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The IMA system just isn't all that great. Takes incredible care to get good numbers out of the CR-Z. I've heard of a local owner who's pushed over 30 km/l (about 70 mpg), but he may be the exception that proves the rule. In ordinary driving, it doesn't get much better than a regular 1.5 liter car.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by sdtundra

There is an Uber driver that lives in me neighborhood that has one of these. He was going to get a Prius C but said it wouldn't have been worth it for him

Yeah, the Prius C will spank the Mirage in the hands of an experienced hypermiler, but with a typical driver the MPG difference probably won't be big enough to offset the practically doubled purchase price.

There are a couple of Uber drivers on the Mirage forum, plus a few small taxi companies in the U.S. are using them. One taxi company owner said he crunched the numbers and bought a couple, despite being skeptical that he would like the cars. But they surprised him, and now they've got 4 or 5. I think it's an all-Mirage fleet.

[Xist]

The company is small or they only purchase small cars?

[sdtundra]

Lowest he said he could get the dealer to go was $20,000 out the door on a Prius C 2 but he was able to walk away with a Mirage GT for $18,000 out the door and the 10yr/100k mile warranty was what did it for him. Probably couldve had a 1 or 2 year old Prius Liftback for the same price with under 20k miles but he is skeptical of the hybrid tech..

[Xist]

Batteries do eventually need replacement, but Toyota has sold millions of Prii with satisfied customers.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Daox

I would definitely like to hear how it handles. I know you said the 2014 suspension was way too soft for your liking. It'll be interesting to hear how their updates have affected the handling.

I had a chance to do a direct comparison, and the 2017 is set up better than the 2014/2015:

- It's quieter -- less engine vibration gets into the cabin. They supposedly revised the engine mounts. The 2015's interior mirror actually vibrates slightly with the engine at idle. Nothing in the 2017 does that.

- It handles better. They say the spring rates were revised, and the front chassis was stiffened, and I believe it. I actually found myself taking curves in the G4 at speeds that no typical owner would ever do.... just for the fun of it! I chuckled when it occurred to me that more side bolstering in the driver's seat would have been nice. The 2014 never made me wish for that -- I would have been too busy worrying about scraping the side mirrors on the asphalt.

Let's not kid ourselves: the Mirage is no sports car. And the ride is still tuned more for comfort than corner carving. But it's not as remarkably squishy as it used to be.

- They fixed the steering. There was something a little odd about the 2014/2015's steering geometry that caused it to have weak "self-centering": you could dial in a 45 degree turn of the steering wheel, and it would just stay there when you released steering pressure. It's something you got used to, but it's unusual compared to almost every other car I've driven, which typically will self-center much closer to dead-ahead.

Steering test:

But the way they fixed it was a little unusual: while driving around in the 2017, I sometimes had the distinct impression that the electric power steering was actively "unwinding" the wheel at low speeds.

I confirmed it by unplugging the EPS motor.

Here's where the steering would unwind to at 25 km/h (about 45 degrees), no hands:



And now watch this short video with the EPS motor re-connected, at the same speed, with the same initial amount of steering. Watch for "active" unwinding of the wheel at around the 7 second mark, returning the wheel much closer to straight ahead:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN-DFG2UamU

The owner of the green 2015 also definitely noticed these improvements in the 2017.

.

[sdtundra]

So the Mitsubishi dealer in town has an ES Hatchback model for $9960 on salewith the $500 military rebate which still isnt too bad without it. and plenty of G4 ES models ranging from 11035-14800. A couple SE in the 15-16 range if you qualify for all the rebates.

[Daox]

I know the 2017 has a slightly revised engine with a few more horsepower. Could you tell any difference between the two?

[MetroMPG]

The 78 hp 2017 engine gets a roller cam setup and a 4 hp bump compared to the 2014/15. Torque doesn't change.

I couldn't tell any difference.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Curious to see the speed vs MPG chart now.

Here it is!



Notes:

- Values are averages of bi-directional runs on a level road *
- (* except the highest speed reading - 1-way only - consider it an estimate)
- Weather: 21 C / 70 F, dry, with negligible wind
- No traffic ahead in my lane (no draft / aero effect)
- A/C off
- Driver only on board
- Headlights on
- Tires at manufacturer's recommended pressure (35 PSI)
- Readings were taken from the car's MPG display (which was within a few % of calculations at the pump based on 2 fill-ups).

This car seems to fit the pattern of some small displacement cars: very good low/moderate speed results. But MPG really falls off a cliff (relatively speaking) as speed climbs.

EG: at the highest speed of 120 km/h = 70 mph, this car reports very close to the fuel consumption of my folks' much bigger 2004 Toyota Camry 4-cylinder:



Though that Camry's gauge wasn't calibrated against actual fill-ups.

From: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...2-a-23818.html

Also, in sub/urban driving, the Mirage's real world fuel economy is almost twice as good as the Camry's.