1993-1996 Mitsubishi Mirage: Road Test

Acceleration is lackluster with the basic 1.5-liter engine and either transmission. On the other hand, a Mirage with the 1.8-liter engine and 5-speed manual moves more than adequately--though it cannot be called snappy. An automatic transmission saps a lot of the verve from that engine, too. Fuel economy is good with any powertrain setup. We averaged 31.4 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving with a 1.8-liter Mirage. Interior design is pleasant, but seating arrangements clearly favor front-seat occupants. The backseat is too crowded for adults to be comfortable. Still, Mirages have an impressive list of plus points, starting with a good ride on most surfaces, and simple instruments and controls. You also get nimble and predictable handling, but only if the car has power steering. Manual steering demands too much muscle for easy parking. The large trunk has a bumper-level opening for easy loading.

Value for the Money
In short, Mirage ranks as a good small car, but hardly a great one. An ES or LS 4-door with the bigger engine does a good job, but it's not appreciably better than most rivals.