2022 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 Review | Philkotse Philippines

The local subcompact sedan segment became more competitive than ever as more affordable yet feature-loaded models entered the scene. Filipino car buyers are getting more options in the market that offer them more out of their budget.

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 In-Depth Look & Drive | Philkotse Reviews

So when Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corporation (MMPC) introduced the 2022 Mirage G4 facelift, the subcompact sedan got a price bump while carrying over the same features as the outgoing model. To tell you frankly, no significant updates have been added aside from the new face which we’ll talk about in a second.

This begs the question, is the new Mitsubishi Mirage G4 worth the money? Let’s find out together as we talk about everything the small sedan has to offer from the front to the back.

Considering that many new vehicles in the market get sleeker and receive a touch of sportiness, MMPC made a strategic move when it introduced the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 facelift. It now comes with a new exterior styling that uses the Dynamic Shield front fascia.

Flaunting the brand's Dynamic Shield

With the redesigned face, the subcompact sedan now joins the Xpander, Strada, Montero Sport, and Outlander PHEV as the Mitsubishi models with the brand’s Dynamic Shield. Only the Mirage hatchback is the model that doesn’t have that type of front fascia design minus the Mitsubishi L300, of course.

The revamped headlight housing further elevates the new face as it comes with blacked-out horizontal slats, creating continuity in design with the bumper. Also, the headlights have been redesigned to look sharper than the outgoing model. All these changes show how much attention to detail Mitsubishi took into consideration in designing the facelift.

A familiar side profile

Aside from the good stuff at the front, the 2022 model receives new 15-inch alloy wheels and a redesigned rear end. New rear-end design elements include vertical reflectors on each side and a body-colored diffuser. Both of these additions add to that new and sporty appeal of the Mirage G4.

Rear end changes add sportiness to the finish

Before discussing the interior features, I must say that the doors don’t close fully easily. This happened way too often to the point that it is worth a mention. You have to purposely shut the doors so they won’t be left partially closed. As such, we recommend that you set the cabin light setting to “Door” to remind you to close it properly.

Usually, when stepping into an economy car, one of the first things most people look for are practical features. But in the Mitsubishi Mirage G4, the practicality presents itself which you should appreciate a lot. Aside from the usual cup holders and glove box in the front passenger side, the sedan also comes with open compartments above the glovebox and below the steering wheel – fully maximizing the dashboard to improve practicality.

Carried over interior layout

And yes, you would have probably guessed by now that no major changes were made in the cabin layout. For the 2022 model, the small sedan still offers fabric seats and hard plastics with glossy black trims on the steering wheel, transmission shifter, and door panels. It also retains the center armrest with two cup holders and a backseat pocket behind the front passenger.

Legroom and headroom shouldn't be an issue for the most part

No center glovebox can be found that can serve as the backbone for rear A/C vents. This can be a downside, especially when compared to relatively affordable rivals such as the Suzuki Dzire. In my experience driving the vehicle under a blazing afternoon, my back passenger had to squeeze herself to the middle just to cool down. However, if you are a family man, the single-zone automatic climate control should do as kids get cold faster.

Enough for your every day needs

Speaking of passengers, the interior space is pretty decent for a vehicle competing in the small sedan segment. My passengers stand tall by Filipino standards, and they had no complaints whatsoever with the headroom and legroom for both the front and back. Only two persons are recommended to sit at the back for a more comfortable ride, but at least Mitsubishi included a third headrest just in case it’s a party.

Aside from the redesigned front end, the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is now equipped with a new 7-inch touchscreen as standard which can be counted as a major update. Given the model’s relatively affordable pricing, I expected a few lags and slightly late feedback. But in my experience, the new head unit responds well with every touch.

New 7-inch head unit

In-car connectivity such as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth come standard across the range. Only the top-spec GLS is installed with four speakers, while the rest gets two. The speaker system is not the boomiest sounding out there so you can head to the EQ settings to adjust it based on your listening preference.

As for safety, the Mirage G4 facelift doesn’t come with segment-leading safety features. The model is installed with two front SRS airbags, Brake Override System (BOS), and ISOFIX as standard. Meanwhile, the top-spec GLS CVT gets to benefit from an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), emergency stop signal, and a rearview camera. Cruise control would be highly appreciated in the next major update.

The Mirage G4 offers just enough safety features

Other features offered of the Japanese subcompact sedan include a keyless entry, engine push-start button, remote trunk opener, welcome home light, and coming home light.

Driving the Mirage G4 is a different experience for me. Usually, most cars invite me to speed up – notably, vehicles with a geared transmission. But as for the Mirage G4, it makes me want to drive economically due to the rubber band effect and the Eco light turning on and off. Don’t get me wrong, the power delivery from the carried-over 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine is sufficient. However, it is not to the point where I got overwhelmed.

CVTs generally provide better fuel efficiency than geared transmissions

Easy and straightforward are the characteristics I decided to use to describe the experience while I was behind the wheel. The wheels felt planted on the ground, translating to impressive handling. I have to mention that the turning radius was just remarkable which I got to benefit from when making quick u-turns.

Surprisingly, the steering feel was not as light as I expected it to be, and it gets even firmer once I started picking up some speed. The vehicle absorbed impact within reason on road imperfections thanks to its suspension system and lightweight construction. Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH), however, needs to be improved as loud sounds like exhausts from motorcycles can get disturbing.

It is an ideal city car

My only concern with the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is when it is driving uphill. Driving alone with no cargo won’t be an issue. But just like in my experience driving it in Antipolo City with three passengers, sloped roads can be a challenge. Even they felt like the powertrain is sweating with all the load it is carrying to move forward. 

If you are planning to take a trip to places with a lot of uphills, we recommend that you inspect BLOWBAG to avoid inconvenience on the road. And yes, it can drive to Baguio just like any other vehicle in the market.

As a vehicle advertised as one of the most fuel-efficient in the local market, the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 did not disappoint. In city driving, the subcompact sedan was able to register 11 to 14 km/l – with speeds varying depending on the traffic. One can say that this feat solidifies the Mirage G4’s characteristic as an ideal city car.

Same but edgier

On the other hand, the facelifted model posted a fuel consumption rating of 21.6 km/l on the highway while driving at an average speed of 90 km/h. The numbers compete closely with those top-performing rivals such as the Honda City which got 20.6 km/l. Only two persons were seated in the cabin during the time of the tests with a very light cargo weight.

Going back to the question, is the new 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 worth the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 price Philippines? As a city car, yes. In fact, I still think that it is one of the best in the market when talking about daily drivers. The Japanese subcompact sedan is fuel-efficient and drives smoothly for the most part. Efficiency is the way to go in the city as you can’t floor the pedal to the metal in traffic.

The facelift outlines a sleeker and sporty finish, which is a common sight to see on the road these days. As such, the new Mirage G4 shouldn’t look outdated. Plus, the addition of the standard head unit provides entertainment on the go, while the updated reverse camera can be used in backing up in a parking spot easier.

But if you are looking for more tech and features at an affordable price, preaching that the Mirage G4 is worth it is a bit of a stretch. Features such as LED lighting, leather seats, cruise control, electric sunroof, and a handful of safety techs are available to some of the Mirage G4’s rivals while managing to keep a relatively inexpensive price tag.

MMPC is offering the 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 with a starting price of Php 769,000 for the base GLX 1.2 MT variant. The price tag goes up to Php 899,000 for the flagship GLS 1.2 CVT variant.

You should also checking the price of second hand Mitsubishi Mirage in the Philippines to have more options in the process of buying and selling your car.