2023 Mitsubishi Mirage G4

As one of the last sedans on the market that can still be picked up for under $20,000, the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 provides accessible motoring for the budget-conscious consumer who simply wants a new car and a reliable means of getting from A to B. Sadly, there are multiple compromises that one has to accept to benefit from this car's low price, one of those being the lethargic 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that produces a mere 78 horsepower. Somehow, Mitsubishi has made the 2023 Mirage G4 even more joyless by dropping the manual gearbox entirely. Although highly efficient, the G4 can't match the power, styling, comfort, and quality of the Nissan Versa. To rub salt in the wound, the Versa has an even lower starting price. It's challenging to conjure up a positive review of the new Mitsubishi Mirage G4, low price notwithstanding, as this sedan simply has too many shortcomings, even at its appealing price.

One of the few redeeming qualities of the 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is its low price. It starts at $17,245 for the ES trim. From there, you'll pay $17,845 for the LE, $18,445 for the BE, and $18,945 for the SE. These prices of the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 are MSRP and exclude the destination charge, which is $1,095 in the USA.

The small engine in the Mirage G4 has to work hard to get the body moving and sounds strained when doing so. It's the first aspect of the driving experience that fails to impress, especially on the highway where the sedan struggles to get up to speed easily. The rest of the car doesn't do much to inspire confidence either, with vague steering and noticeable body lean, although these traits are less frustrating than the underpowered engine.

The Mirage G4 is unsettled by larger bumps in the road and the ride itself is quite stiff, despite the small wheels. Add to that poor noise insulation and an unengaging CVT, and it's a pretty joyless experience.

As a city car, the Mirage G4's small size makes it easy to get in and out of tight spaces, and here the lack of power is also less of an issue. But overall, it lacks the polish of its Nissan and Kia rivals.

If the Kia Rio and Nissan Versa didn't exist, perhaps we could make a case for the Mirage G4 as a cost-effective and reliable sedan. Unfortunately, these competitors expose the Mitsubishi's many flaws, from its underpowered engine to its disappointing dynamics and unrefined interior. The generous warranty and impressive gas mileage look good on paper, but neither aspect will be top of mind when you're behind the wheel of this rather crude sedan, your ears at the mercy of plenty of mechanical and wind noise. While sedans have fallen out of favor in upper segments, there are still several fairly modern alternatives in this price-sensitive segment, and each one does a better job of the daily commute than the Mirage G4.

None of the available trims can make up for the G4's inherent flaws, and because of this and the segment it occupies, we'd simply go for the base ES. The Mirage G4 makes the most sense at the lowest price possible, where it still comes with a relatively modern infotainment system and basic safety equipment.