Mitsubishi hasn't given up on the U.S. market, and hopes to reestablish its presence with cars like the all-new Mirage.
Priced from only $12,995, the Thailand-built minicar comes as a five-door hatchback in two well-equipped trim levels: The base DE includes power windows and automatic climate control as standard equipment; a step up to the $14,195 ES adds appealing extras like push-button start, Bluetooth phone connectivity and cruise control, and gives buyers access to an optional $900 navigation system.
The Mirage, an economy car designed for world markets, relies on a 74-horsepower 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. It won't win any acceleration contests, but the tiny engine will return exceptional fuel economy -- 37 mpg city and 44 mpg highway with the continuously variable transmission (CVT) or 34 mpg city and 42 mpg highway with a five-speed manual. Those are hybrid-like mileage ratings without a hybrid-like MSRP.