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Is the Mitsubishi Mirage hatch or G4 worth it?

While the vehicle is showing its age its facelifted model seeks to remedy that with a new front clip and updated features.

Autodeal on May 18, 2020

The Mitsubishi Mirage and its G4 counterpart have been in the Philippine automotive market since the middle of 2012. With 8-years of service and a few minor tweaks under its belt, the aging model is still able to hold its own against the newer offerings on the block. Sold in either a hatchback or sedan body style the model reaches out to those who want to get their first car. It is also one of the few models of Mitsubishi Philippines along with the likes of the Montero Sport and Xpander that is responsible for the growth of the Japanese brand in the country. The question now arises even with its storied history is the Mitsubishi Mirage still worth it in the current market?

Going head to head with the newer kids on the block

The Mitsubishi Mirage and its G4 counterpart have been in the market for quite some time now and as such have already gotten a considerable following for first-time owners and transport vehicle providers for its reliability and fuel economy.

The Mitsubishi Mirage is in a rather tight position in terms of the small hatchback offerings in the country. The Mitsubishi small hatchback is only available in its entry-level GLX trim and with a price point of P699,000, it does get beat out by much more affordable offerings in the segment.

It faces tough competition from the likes of the Honda Brio, Chevrolet Spark, Suzuki Celerio, and Kia Picanto. All of these vehicles are not only more affordable but they also outmatch the Mirage in terms of features. While things aren’t looking too good in the small hatchback segment let's take a look at how the Mirage G4 fares in its segment.

Like its hatchback sibling, the G4 is also in a tight spot. It has to face off against the likes of the Honda Brio Amaze and the 1.3-liter Vios XLE. Against the Toyota sedan the Mirage G4 can still go toe to toe with it in terms of features, however, where there is a clear difference is in safety as the Vios has more airbags and a vehicle stability control system as standard.

The Mirage G4 fairs slightly better against the Brio Amaze as both vehicles are similarly equipped in terms of safety in technology. Where the Honda subcompact sedan edges out is in terms of pricing. The Brio Amaze can be had between P668,000 and P848,000 making it more attainable for those looking to get an entry-level sedan. The Mirage G4, on the other hand, is priced at P735,000 to P869,000 making it a more expensive purchase.

The looks inside and out

On the outside, the Mitsubishi Mirage and G4 come with more rounded design characteristics that give away the vehicle’s age. On the other hand, the newer segment offerings go for a more athletic and aggressive look giving them a slight advantage over the Mirage. If you aren’t one for flashy designs and just want a vehicle that looks good then the Mirage is for you.

On the inside both the sedan and the hatch come with a simple yet functional interior. No flashy accents here as the vehicle goes for a more utilitarian feel with its use of plastics. The dashboard layout is simple as everything you need can be easily reached and comes with easy to use controls. While the vehicle does not come with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay it still has its 6.75-inch head unit that has Bluetooth capabilities so you can still play music from your phone. The interior is a case of simple but effective, not flashy but it just works.

Verdict: Wait for the facelifted model

The odds are not in favor of the Mitsubishi Mirage and G4 in terms of pricing and features. The competition not only is more affordable but also comes with better technology. However, the Mirage still has redeeming features that still make it a worthwhile purchase. It comes with a frugal engine which has made it a favorite for transport service providers and it's one of the few cars that is made in the Philippines. This means that parts for the vehicle are readily available should you need them.

While the Mitsubishi Mirage and G4 may be showing their age now, a new and improved version is just on the horizon. The new vehicle will come with well-deserved exciting new features that will give it an edge over the competition. It will come with a refreshed front clip giving it a much-needed design update as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities to fit in with the times. If you’re interested in getting a Mitsubishi Mirage we highly recommend waiting for the new model to arrive as it promises to be a better value for money option over the current model.