This Mitsubishi car review provides a comprehensive look at one of Japan’s most debated automakers. What was earlier reputed to be rally-bred legends like Lancer Evolution has today become an automaker focusing only on affordable crossovers and economy cars. Let us see if indeed these value editions are sufficient to compete with current market standards.
Current Mitsubishi Model Lineup
1.Mitsubishi Mirage
At an entry price of $16,245, the Mitsubishi Mirage is the cheapest new car in the United States. The latest Mitsubishi car review confirms that the Mirages has a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine that produces merely 78 horsepower, which punishes performance on the road, until you take into account the amazing fuel economy on which it performs at 39 mpg on the highway. In addition, the interior here is pretty spartan, hard plastic surfaces, limited technology, although Apple CarPlay is included as standard.
Furthermore, the best suited for city drivers who don’t mind spending to pocket fuel savings with no performance and luxury associated with vehicles.
2. Mitsubishi Outlander
The Outlander is priced at $28,595 as the standard SUV for Mitsubishi. The Mitsubishi car review avers that this engine is a 2.5-liter one that produces 181 horsepower, which is decent enough for city driving but has none of the excitement. For the users who care about the environment, however, there is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version that yields up to 38 miles in electric-only driving, making it an excellent hybrid option.
Key features include:
- Standard 8-inch touchscreen
- Available 9-speaker Bose sound system
- Seven-passenger seating
Key Specifications
| Model | Starting Price | Engine | Horsepower | MPG | Key Features |
| Mitsubishi Mirage | $16,245 | 1.2L 3-cylinder | 78 hp | 39 mpg | Apple CarPlay, low price |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | $28,595 | 2.5L 4-cylinder / PHEV | 181 hp | Varies | 8″ touchscreen, Bose audio, 7 seats |
Performance Analysis
Testing for our Mitsubishi car evaluation has shown major differences among the models:
Acceleration:
- Mirage: 11.5 seconds
- Outlander: 8.5 seconds
- Eclipse Cross: 9.1 seconds
All these cars sacrifice sportiness for comfort with soft suspension tuning which absorbs bumps well but induces body roll when cornering.
Read More: Sedans With All Wheel Drive: Luxury & Performance Leaders
Safety Ratings
The crash tests carried out recently on these Mitsubishi automobiles reveal much about safety, especially for the newer cars.
Newer in-vehicle safety features are the following:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
It still is inferior in respect to the rest with its poor performance recorded in passenger-side small overlaps test where the IIHS gave it a Marginal rating.
Reliability & Common Problems
According to reviews from various sources on Mitsubishi cars, together with hands-on repair data, the reliability of Mitsubishi cars is, in general, moderately good. The company has the 2019 Outlander, which boasts a spectacular reliability rating from J.D. Power of 82 out of 100; thus, it is listed among the most reliable units in recent years. Whereas the same can be said for the 2021 Eclipse Cross, which has proven reliability with limited trouble reports, especially early in owner possession.
Most reliable models:
- 2019 Outlander
- 2021 Eclipse Cross
However, with vehicle age, one will begin witnessing some problems at reasonably predictable mileage intervals. Between 30,000 and 60,000-plus miles, a lot of owners report problems with air-conditioning (AC) compressor failure, often compromising comfort in the hotter months.
Ownership Costs
When evaluating ownership expenses, our Mitsubishi car review cost analysis indicates that the Outlander S offers relatively balanced long-term value. The total ownership costs over five years include $12,400 in depreciation, $8,250 in fuel cost, $6,100 in insurance, $3,800 in maintenance, and $1,200 in repair costs. All of these keep the Outlander from being the cheapest at every turn, yet competitive in its segment. For instance, it is about $2,100 cheaper to own over five years than the Honda CR-V, although it costs more than $1,800 compared to the Kia Sportage. Overall, then, the Outlander is somewhere in the middle with respect to ownership value and could be a good choice for cost-sensitive buyers who are looking for a good SUV for their needs.
5-Year Ownership Cost Comparison
| Category | Mitsubishi Outlander S | Honda CR-V | Kia Sportage |
| Depreciation | $12,400 | Higher | Lower |
| Fuel | $8,250 | Comparable | Comparable |
| Insurance | $6,100 | Comparable | Comparable |
| Maintenance | $3,800 | Slightly Higher | Slightly Lower |
| Repairs | $1,200 | Comparable | Comparable |
Technology & Features
Each Mitsubishi have extraordinary standard and optional features in their cars. As show in our Mitsubishi cars review, even base models come with an 8-inches touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto compatible and rearview camera. Furthermore, all these would add more to the practicability and convenience of the driver.
Standard features:
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Rearview camera
Available upgrades:
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- Head-up display
- 360-degree camera system
Our Mitsubishi car review found the infotainment system responsive but lacking the polish of Mazda or Hyundai systems.
Driving Experience
With many tests on this Mitsubishi car already conducted, results have been noted for;
City driving:
- Easy Parking Feels Light Steering
- Good visibility across all models
- Mirage gets by in really small spaces.
Highway driving:
- Outlander is a comfortable cruise.
- Eclipse Cross noisily disturbed by wind.
- Mirage has an unstable feel under high speed.
Read More: 7 manual transmission cars with cheap prices in USA
Warranty Coverage
- Basic: 5 years/60,000 miles
- Powertrain: 10 years/100,000 miles
- Roadside assistance: 5 years/unlimited miles
FAQ’s
Q1) What’s the cheapest Mitsubishi?
According to Mitsubishi, the cheapest model is the Mirage which starts at $16,245. It is an economical choice, offering good gas mileage 39 mpg on the highway.
Q2) Is the Mitsubishi Mirage a highway vehicle?
Not one bit. With only 78 horsepower and light-weight construction, the Mirage tends to feel a bit jittery at highway speeds, making it more suited to doing errands and short commutes.
Q3) What is Mitsubishi’s very best seller in the SUV lineup?
The Mitsubishi Outlander makes the list. It provides three-row seating and has even been offered in a plug-in hybrid format. It starts at $28,595.
Q4) Are Mitsubishi’s cars reliable?
They are barely average. A few models, like the 2019 Outlander and 2021 Eclipse Cross, weren’t half bad in terms of reliability, as they didn’t report too many significant issues early on.
Q5) What are the common safety features fitted as standard in Mitsubishi cars?
Most models come equipped with automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning, while their crash test results appear to be hit-and-miss. Some have even recorded a “Marginal” rating in certain IIHS tests.
