A sneak peek and drive of the Mirage-with-a-trunk Mitsubishi Mirage G4

Manny N. de los Reyes Photos by Kap Maceda Aguila and the author

MANILA, Philippines - It’s no secret that to play the subcompact game—and to play it well—you need to have a sedan-plus-hatchback tag team.

Mitsubishi, even if it’s a latecomer to the subcompact party, knows this all too well. Which is why it’s bringing along the sedan version of its bestselling Mirage hatchback.

When the Mirage hatchback debuted last November, local Mitsubishi officials projected that it would sell on the order of 250 units per month. Turns out it was way below the 650 units a month that actually rolled off dealers’ showrooms. Buyers simply couldn’t get enough of the perky little econocar.

And now, Mitsubishi is bringing in, by way of Thailand, the new Mirage G4. The Mirage “hatchback-with-a-trunk” will be doing battle in the fiercely competitive subcompact sedan category, which the country’s bestselling car, the Toyota Vios, currently rules. 

Mitsubishi is understandably excited about their upcoming new hatch that they sent no less than 31 local motoring journalists not only to have a sneak peek of the new Mirage G4, but to actually drive it on a race track.

Which is how we found ourselves standing trackside under a tent in what was a thankfully partly overcast day in Bonanza Speedway three hours’ drive from Bangkok. The Mirage G4 test units waited patiently for us—as were three of its Thai-market  competitors: the Honda Brio Amaze, the Toyota Vios (the previous-generation, not the recently launched all-new one), and the Nissan Almera, for comparison purposes. 

Mitsubishi took pains to move the Mirage G4 a bit more upmarket; hence, it sports a chrome-finished grille that’s a tad more traditional in execution compared to the hatchback’s wide-mouthed visage. The headlamps and front bumper are also specific to the sedan. That’s pretty much what separates the hatch from the sedan; everything else from the front fenders to the rear doors are identical.

Then there’s the trunk. Mitsubishi claims that it can swallow three golf bags. Don’t be surprised to see the Mirage G4 running about the metro’s streets as a taxicab. The Mirage hatchback’s 235-liter cargo area didn’t meet the LTFRB’s minimum requirement for trunk space but the Mirage G4’s generous 450-liter boot should easily hurdle that requirement. Overall occupant space (legroom, headroom, elbowroom)—as is interior build quality and fit and finish—are pretty much the same as the hatchback’s. 

Looks-wise, it has hints of the previous Vios, especially in the grille and headlamp treatment in front and the taillight clusters at the back. The Mirage G4 will not necessarily turn heads, but it will not offend either—much like the two previous iterations of the Vios (the new one is downright gorgeous).

The Mirage G4 comes with a 1.0 and 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine, but it will be exported to the Philippines only with the latter engine—the same one developing 77 hp and 100 Nm of torque found in the hatchback. Those outputs may not sound like much, but it’s enough to propel the G4 smartly—if not as zippy as its bigger-engined 1.3- and 1.5-liter-powered rivals.

It should be a fuel economy champ, though, with Mitsubishi claiming a phenomenal 22 km/L in what would probably be mostly highway driving. (I’d project a 12-14 km/L figure in city driving.) At a svelte 930kg, the Mirage G4 is the lightest in its class—impressive, considering it boasts one of the roomiest cabins in its segment.

Like its 5-door sibling, the G4 will be fitted with a 5-speed manual stick or continuously variable transmission (CVT). No paddle shifters, but higher-end models boast a push-button engine start/stop feature.  

Track driving at the Bonanza Speedway was restricted to precious few 80-100-kph blasts and relatively gentle cornering. No tire burnouts or tire-squealing cornering heroics here—just typical 90th percentile driving of the Mirage G4’s target market. A lap of the circuit allowed participants to drive through a slalom, a lane change, an “S” turn, as well as handling and acceleration segments. (We tested right-hand-drive Thai-market units as left-hand-drive Philippine-market samples were not yet available.)

Like its styling, the G4’s performance will neither offend nor excite—again much like the competition. Subcompact buyers don’t need a scintillating sports sedan; they just want basic transportation for three or four passengers—one that will accelerate, handle, ride, and brake reasonably well. 

Demand for the Mirage hatchback caught local Mitsubishi officials by surprise. This time, they’re much more ready—to the tune of 700 to 900 units a month. As they say, build it, and they will come.