MITSUBISHI MIRAGE REVIEWS | 2020 Model
Read multiple Mitsubishi Mirage 2020 Model reviews in one place. Read reviews on the Mitsubishi Mirage 2020 Model from top New Zealand review websites and automotive journalists.
Mitsubishi Mirage relationship status: it’s complicated
SOURCE: DRIVEN | YEAR: 2020 | WORDS AND PHOTOS: ANDREW SLUYS
Long before double-cab utes ruled the roads in New Zealand, bigger wasn’t seen as better and Kiwis opted for smaller cars. Early in its life, Mitsubishi’s Mirage topped the rankings.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Mirage accounted for 35 per cent of all hatchbacks sold in NZ and was instrumental in making Mitsubishi the number one new-vehicle brand in the country.
But a lot has happened since then. Online, the Mirage’s history has been described as “complicated”, due to the sheer number of vehicles that have worn the badge, and how they have differed across international markets.
It was launched in 1978 as a front-drive three-door hatch, with the novel Super Shift transmission. The four-speed manual was married to a separate high/low shifter, creating Power and Economy modes. Curiously, the setup also meant it had two reverse gears.
It was a true Kiwi favorite, assembled at Mitsubishi’s Todd Park plant in Porirua for over a decade, until the fifth-generation model.
Mitsubishi Mirage 2020 Car Review
SOURCE: AA MOTORING | YEAR: 2020
The new Mitsubishi Mirage is a compact hatch that’s guaranteed to pique the interests of buyers who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on a new car, but enjoy the benefits of owning a new vehicle.
While the Mirage has been around for over four decades, the current generation was first released back in 2013, and the 2020 model is its second facelift. There are some minor refreshes done to its exterior, but the main changes are related to safety – some key driver assist features have been added to help protect drivers on the road.
One of the main benefits you receive, as you do with almost all new Mitsubishi cars, is a 10 year (or 160,000km) Powertrain Warranty, as well as a 5 year (or 130,000km) New Vehicle Warranty.
2020 Mitsubishi Mirage XLS – Car Review – A Great Warranty, plus a bonus Car
SOURCE: DRIVE LIFE | YEAR: 2021 | WORDS AND PHOTOS: ALISTAIR WEEKES
The Mitsubishi Mirage has some history in New Zealand. Back in the early 1980s, Mirages were being churned out of Mitsubishi’s Porirua assembly plant, becoming one of New Zealand’s best-selling small vehicles.
Over the years, the badge was worn on many of Mitsubishi’s smaller vehicles, coming to us in the form of 3-door hatches, 4-door sedans, and even in the form of the performance-oriented Mirage Panther, built exclusively for New Zealand.
Over time, the New Zealand connection waned and the Mirage badge briefly disappeared in 2002 with the arrival of the Mitsubishi Colt. In 2012, Mitsubishi reintroduced the Mirage, worn on a Thai-built sub-compact hatch.
In 2020, the Mirage serves as Mitsubishi’s entry level sub-compact hatchback for the budget conscious buyer. Let’s determine whether this Mirage is worthy of the best-seller status.
