DecodedCars2018 Mitsubishi Mirage
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 5dr Hatch, G4 Sedan
- Engines
- 1.2L 3-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 39 combined · 37 city / 43 hwy
- Length
- 149.6–169.7 in
- Curb weight
- 2,072–2,150 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 39 MPG combined — 44% better than the average 2018 compact car (27 MPG).
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage is a compact car offered with a 1.2L 3-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 150 inches long and 66 inches wide on a 97-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,072 lb (5dr Hatch).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 39 MPG combined (37 city / 43 highway), 44% better than the 2018 compact car average of 27 MPG, for an estimated $1,700 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2018
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Mirage →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Leamchabang, Chonburi · Bangkok, Thailand · Oshawa #1 (Osh), Ontario
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 Mirage configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr Hatch | 149.6 in | 65.7 in | 59.4 in | 96.5 in | 56.3 / 55.9 in | 2,072 lb | 60/40 |
| G4 Sedan | 169.7 in | 65.7 in | 59.4 in | 100.4 in | 57.1 / 56.3 in | 2,150 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirage | 1.2L 3-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 37 / 43 / 39 | +44% | $1,700 | 225 |
| Mirage G4 | 1.2L 3-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 35 / 41 / 37 | +37% | $1,800 | 237 |
| Mirage | 1.2L 3-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 33 / 41 / 36 | +33% | $1,850 | 242 |
| Mirage G4 | 1.2L 3-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 33 / 40 / 35 | +30% | $1,900 | 249 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
Similar 2018 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage (this car) | 39 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2018 Volkswagen Golf/GTI | 29 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2018 Toyota Yaris | 35 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 Volkswagen Jetta | 33 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2018 Mazda 2 | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Spark | 33 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 Toyota Prius c | 46 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module · Apr 26, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V330000 · 26,016 vehicles
- Problem
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Mirage G4 vehicles. The internal acceleration sensor in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can misinterpret vibrations, such as from poor road conditions or a flat tire, as a malfunction and disable all the vehicle's air bags.
- Risk
- Air bags that do not deploy increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- MMNA notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the SRS-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-19-001.
Air Bags · Oct 30, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V686000 · 83,555 vehicles
- Problem
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mirage vehicles. The internal acceleration sensor in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can misinterpret vibrations such as those from poor road conditions or a flat tire to be a sensor error thereby disabling the air bags from deploying in a crash.
- Risk
- Air bags that do not deploy as designed in a crash increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SRS-ECU software, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-006.
Not every 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 8 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Steering — 3 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 14,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Mirage years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Mirage | 39 | 151.6 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 10 |
| 2023 Mirage | 39 | 151.6 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 5 |
| 2022 Mirage | 39 | 151.6 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 5 |
| 2021 Mirage | 39 | 151.6 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 4 |
| 2020 Mirage | 39 | 149.6 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 5 |
| 2019 Mirage | 39 | 149.6 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 15 |
| 2017 Mirage | 39 | 149.6 in | Not rated | 3 | 28 |
| 2015 Mirage | 39 | 148.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 39 |
| 2014 Mirage | 39 | 148.8 in | Not rated | 3 | 41 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mitsubishi. How we calculate this →