Mitsubishi Mirage gets a fresh look for 2016

Mitsubishi has facelifted the Mirage bringing a fresh new look and notable refinement within its affordable $12,250 starting price.

Both the sedan and hatch are included in the facelift with the exterior gaining a new front grille with chrome accents, redesigned bonnet and redesigned front/rear bumpers.

The models also stand to benefit from new wheels with the LS gaining a new two-tone alloy wheel and the ES new steel wheel covers.

Both the sedan and hatch come standard in white paint with additional premium paints available for $550. Two new premium paint colours will be introduced on the 2016 Mirage Hatch range; Wine Red and Sunrise Orange which will be available alongside Cyber Blue, Red Planet and Black. The Sedan is offered with Wine Red, Cyber Blue or Cool Silver premium paints.

Inside, Mitsubishi has gone with a black color scheme with the seats now draped in a high-grade black material. Rear passengers will welcome the new cushion stitching which should improve comfort over earlier models.

A new chrome accent has been added to the audio panel, complementing the existing chrome touches around the cabin. On the LS model, piano black accents surround the gear shift panel and around power window switch panels in the front and back.

The LS model also gains a new high-contrast meter with a white backlight, an outside air temperature reading and illuminated gear shift panel. The ES model features a new design triple dial air-conditioning control. The passenger side sun visor also gains a vanity mirror, lid and ticket holder.

Drive wise, Mitsubishi claims the vehicle’s dynamics are have been vastly improved due to a number of technical improvements applied to the car.

Steering is now electric assisted supposedly improving response, parking effort and highway driving.

The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), available in both models, has been recalibrated to deliver improved rolling acceleration when on the move. Vehicle dynamics have been enhanced with an extensive spring and damper tune for reduced body roll and stable handling. New front suspension top mounts also improve ride comfort and reduce road noise.

Both the ES and LS trim are available with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with the ES optionally available as a 5-speed manual. Mitsubishi claims the CVT has been recalibrated which should improve the vehicles rolling acceleration.

Despite the low price, safety is at its peak with the vehicle rated 5 star ANCAP with six SRS airbags, Active Stability Control (ASC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Emergency Brakeforce Distribution (ABD) and an Emergency Stop Signal function (ESS) as standard. The 5-speed manual on the ES model also gains Hill Assist as standard.

Warranty comes at in at five-years or 100,000km’s with four-year capped price servicing and five-year roadside assist. Service intervals are 15,000km or 12 months with a saving of $270 over the four years of servicing.

Read ForceGT’s 2016 Mitsubishi Mirage Review here.

Hatch Pricing

ES standard features:

• Revised front grille with chrome accent, front and rear bumper and bonnet – new
• New high-grade seat material and design – new
• New design 14-inch steel wheel cover – new
• New manual 3-dial air-conditioning design – new
• Chrome accent on audio panel – new
• Passenger sun visor with mirror, lid and ticket holder – new
• Hill Start Assist – new to MT model
• 1.2L DOHC MIVEC petrol engine
• Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with INVECS III Smart Logic (optional)
• Electric power steering
• Active Stability Control
• Anti-lock Braking System
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Emergency Brake Assist System
• Emergency Stop Signal
• Driver and passenger front airbags
• Side and curtain airbags
• Bluetooth® phone connectivity with audio streaming and voice control
• Steering wheel with audio and phone controls
• AM/FM CD player with USB and auxiliary input
• Air conditioning with pollen filter
• Power windows with driver side auto up and down
• Body colour door handles and mirrors
• Driver’s seat with slide, recline and height adjustment
• Two ISOFIX rear seat child restraints
• Child proof rear door locks

 LS changes over ES:

• Piano black accent on gear shift – new
• Piano black accent around window switches – new
• Chrome accent on climate control – new
• Illuminated gear shift – new
• High contrast meter – new
• New 15-inch two-tone alloy wheel design with chrome surround – new
• Outside air temperature – new
• Cruise control
• Privacy glass
• Climate control air conditioning
• Leather bound gearshift
• Chrome and silver interior accents
• Front fog lamps
• 4 speakers

Sedan Pricing

ES standard features:

• New manual 3-dial air-conditioning
• Hill Start Assist – new to MT model

LS changes over ES:

• Cruise control
• High contrast meter
• Outside air temperature
• Three spoke leather steering wheel
• Piano black accent on gear shift
• Piano black accent around window switches