While it may be called Mirage, this car most assuredly is no mirage. For those seeking basic transportation, good fuel economy and a low price, the Mitsubishi is something of an oasis in a desert of affordable automobiles. Now that the basic transaction price of a new car is hovering near the $30,000 mark, people looking for a car payment in the $200 a month range have fewer and fewer choices. All new for the 2014 model year, the Mitsubishi Mirage is one of those choices. Power comes from a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine producing 74 horsepower and 74 ft-lbs of torque. Here, it is important to add the miniscule Mitsubishi weighs a mere 1,863 pounds. For transmission duties you can choose between a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission to route power to the front wheels. Fuel economy averages in the 40 miles per gallon range. Available features include keyless entry and start, a full complement of power accessories, Bluetooth telephony, automatic climate control, navigation, and a rear view camera. For safety gear, the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage offers front and rear parking sensor arrays, ABS, front disc brakes, traction control, stability control, and a full set of airbags.
