The Mitsubishi Mirage has reached the end of the road in Japan as the company’s website has revealed the model has been discontinued.
Despite the development overseas, a spokesperson told Autoblog “The Mirage remains an integral part of our U.S. lineup at this time.” The “at this time” part is sure to raise eyebrows and likely won’t give customers much assurance.
Needless to say, the Mirage isn’t a huge hit in America as the company has only sold 12,763 units through the third quarter. That’s enough to beat the Outlander Sport and Eclipse Cross, but those numbers are far from good and the Mirage had been trailing the Chevrolet Spark, which got axed this summer.
Also: Mitsubishi Colt Coming To Europe In 2023 As A Rebadged Renault Clio
While the Mirage is less exciting than yesterday’s leftovers, it’s one of the most affordable cars in America. Pricing starts at $16,245 for the hatchback and customers can get the Mirage G4 sedan for an extra $1,000. However, buyers don’t get much for their money as the models are equipped with 14-inch steel wheels, drum rear brakes, and a 1.2-liter engine developing 76 hp (57 kW / 77 PS) and 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) of torque.
That’s pretty basic, but there are some niceties including an automatic climate control system, cruise control, and a 7-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This combined with the low price tag makes the model appealing to shoppers on a budget, who don’t want to buy used.
While the Mirage’s future in America is murky, a new Colt will be offered in Europe and based on the CMF-B platform. The model is slated to arrive next fall and borrow heavily from the Renault Clio.