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
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Mirage — a carry-over year in the data.
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 | ★★★★★ | 3 | 28 |
| 2015 Mirage | 39 | 148.8 in | ★★★★★ | 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 →