2022 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 GLS Sport
How grown-up has the Mirage G4 become? From an awkward offshoot of the hatchback version, it has matured into a sleek and stylish model that outsold its forerunner by a whopping 5,347 units last year.
After the facelift in August 2021, Mitsubishi wasted no time setting it up with a Sport model in late January 2022. It has unique exterior features and comes only in select colors. Since this is my first review of the new Mirage G4, I'm giving it a full and thorough look.
We all knew that it was only a matter of time before Mitsubishi gave the façade the Dynamic Shield design, but I was still impressed with the end product. Now, it's much classier and looks more like a proper compact sedan instead of a budget car.
It comes with multi-reflector halogen headlamps, bulb-type rear combination lamps, and this model even has LED-type signal lights on the power side-view mirrors.
While I like the new shapely rear bumper that stylishly incorporates reflectors on each side, I wish it was slimmer. In profile view, the bumper sticks out a little more than the rest of the car, which looks pretty odd for a small vehicle.
As a Sport variant, it gets a chrome garnish below the grille, an air dam in front, at the rear and along the sides, plus a rear spoiler. These additions aren't much, but when paired with one of its three select colors (this is Titanium Gray Metallic), it gives it an air of exclusivity.
The facelift makes it elegant. It may be one of the best-looking subcompacts in the market already. The Sport enhancements are subtle, but it helps this model stand out versus regular Mirage G4s.
Being a top-of-the-line model, this model comes with a keyless entry system and a push-to-start button. Just have the key in your pocket (or bag), and you are good to go.
The wheelbase didn’t change, so the cabin dimensions remain the same. I like how the Mirage G4 has one of the highest ground clearances in its class; makes for easy ingress and egress, and offers good protection from puddles and standing water when it rains.
On the dashboard are hard plastics, but glossy pieces and silver trims around the cockpit keep it classy. A seven-inch touchscreen (with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto) occupies the center stack, and right below is the digital automatic climate control system. Its lone USB port is located by the front cupholders. The only piece of leather here is on the steering wheel with audio controls. Second-row occupants can stow their drinks on the drop-down armrests with cupholders.
My two cents about the cabin, not having a center console gives the front passengers plenty of elbow room, and the rear has an ample amount of legroom. While the front seats are slim and not very well bolstered, the built-in arc of the backrest offers great lumbar support.
This car uses a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission. It plays with a measly 78 PS and 100 Nm of torque. Output is not a whole lot, but then again, it only weighs 1.3 tons.
Take-off is not very snappy, which is understandable. But it is impressive how it can stay at 100 km/h while keeping revs at just 2,100 RPM. It can even overtake at higher speeds but do not expect the move to happen fast.
It surprised me that it did not corner very well. That could be due to the high ground clearance or the suspension setup, but since it's not a very quick car, this will not be much of an issue. Fuel consumption is a very good 13.7 km/l in mixed driving conditions.
Handling is very light. The compact size makes it easy to maneuver in and out of traffic and small parking slots. Having a reverse camera makes backing up worry-free, although it would have been great if it had sensors as well.
Comfort feels high because the cabin feels roomy (relative to its segment). It also helps a lot that it has very noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) suppression. Save for the awkward hump, there is barely a thud or sound from other cars coming into the cabin.
I would like for the aircon to be cooler. This car was tint-less, so that did not help. Another thing it is up against is price. At P929,000 it is more expensive than some of its counterparts. What it has going for it is the fact that it’s a Japanese brand.
Mitsubishi sold 5,962 units of this subcompact sedan in 2021. If you like yours to be exclusive — 1 of only 300 to be exact — then you should get this newly released, limited edition Mirage G4 GLS Sport.