Borrowing from the dictionary, it seems apt to describe the Mirage interior
as organic. The dash, controls, even the seating seem totally natural.
Controls are where they should be without searching and they operate easily
and logically. The seats are comfortable and supportive--surprisingly so
for a car in this entry level segment. And the driver-side height adjustability
feature makes the Mirage useful to a wide range of body types.
Slim roof pillars and the large, raked windshield provide excellent
vision in all quarters, as well as an open feel to the cabin.
Mitusbishi has obviously done its homework with the interior color schemes
and fabric selection, which has a quality feel and should bear up well
over the long haul.
A surprisingly thoughtful touch: sun visor extensions to block those
rays that always seem to filter in around the inside rear view mirror and
directly into your eyes. It's a feature we usually associate with much
more expensive cars.
We were also favorably surprised by the low interior noise level. The
Mirage is exceptionally quiet for a small car, another sign that Mitsubishi
has taken pains with quality. There's not much wind noise, and very little
road noise filters up through the suspension components.
Like all cars, a variety of sound systems are available for the Mirage.
They range from a basic AM/FM radio, to radio/cassette or radio/CD combinations.
All of the sound systems we sampled were more than adequate and excelled
in ease of deciphering how to operate. This was also true of heat and ventilation
controls, as well as other functions on the dash.
A word of caution here. If bottom line cost is a major issue--and it
usually is in this class--weigh your option selections carefully; the extras
can add up quickly.
So what interior upgrades or options really matter? Since modern car
marketing has options grouped by packages, it makes little sense to list
individual options.
Suffice it to say that most of the amenities which add to the cost of
the car will also add to its value later on as a resale.
Some specific items (which are part of packages) we feel add significantly
to the liveability of the Mirage are the tilt steering wheel, the 60/40
split-folding rear seatback (to expand cargo capacity), and power door
locks. All of these items are part of an option group that also includes
power windows and remote adjusting mirrors.
Option-wise, what's important to the driveability of Mirage? The 1.8-liter
engine definitely makes a positive difference.
The economical but anemic single overhead cam 12-valve 1.5-liter engine
powers the DE coupe and sedan, while the twin cam 16-valve 1.8-liter is
standard for LS models and it gives the Mirage respectable hustle, particularly
with the standard five-speed manual transmission.
We invariably prefer manual transmissions in this size class, since
they make the most of limited engine power, and they also lend a little
more driving fun.
However, if you'd rather have the car shift for itself, the four-speed
automatic offered as an option ($680) for the Mirage is a very good one,
enhanced by Mitsubishi's Adaptive Transmission Control Management (ACTM)
system. The ACTM's computer control actually catalogues and learns driver
habits and adjusts the transmission's shift points to obtain optimal performance.
Although even the basic Mirage is commendably agile, its responses can
be enhanced with Mitsubishi's Value Package, which includes larger diameter
(14-inch versus 13-inch) wheels and tires, creating a bigger contact patch
between car and pavement, which means better grip.
Even if the handling enhancement doesn't matter, the package makes sense
from an all-around enjoyment point of view since it also includes air conditioning,
floor mats and upgrade sound system components. Other package details vary
between coupe and sedan models.
While the Mirage basically holds its own in terms of handling compared
to some very good competition, it's distinctly above average in terms of
ride quality.
Like the handling, this is a benefit of an exceptionally good job by
the Mitsubishi chassis engineers. The extensively stiffened platform gave
the suspension team plenty of latitude for tuning, and they chose a supple
setup that sops up small bumps and potholes without sacrificing a firm
sense of control.
We think it's a pleasant blend, one we'd rate in the upper half of this
segment.