Disclaimer: Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation lent us a 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 unit with a full gas tank and access to its Autosweep RFID.

When car enthusiasts like us review new models, we look at the performance, handling, and features that these offer.

But we sometimes forget that there are car buyers out there that aren’t as passionate about cars and are just looking for a decent point-A to point-B machine. In other words, there are people who simply want a value-packed yet affordable commuter car.

Enter the refreshed 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage G4, a household name in the country because of its stellar fuel economy, relatively affordable pricing, and decent features.

We take an in-depth look at this sedan to figure out why so many Filipinos love this vehicle and to understand how it has become an established veteran in the segment.

But can it still go toe to toe with its newer Japanese and Chinese rivals?

A dynamic shield look

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation has given the Mirage G4 a new front fascia to keep it in line with the "Dynamic Shield" corporate design language.

The carmaker did this by changing the headlights, grille, and bumper, along with minor changes to the front quarter panel to accommodate the new headlights. Despite its new look, the sedan receives no lighting updates, sticking to its all-halogen bulb affair. 

At the back, the Mirage G4 retains the same taillight layout as its previous version, with a sportier bumper that includes vertical reflectors. 

The exterior update is not a big leap forward for the sedan, but it still shows that the old formula works for the nameplate. The new front fascia keeps the sedan fresh for newer car buyers, yet familiar to those who already own the vehicle.

Simple interior

Simple and clean are the best ways to describe the interior of the Mitsubishi Mirage G4.

You get an uncomplicated dashboard made of durable plastics, a 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and automatic climate controls for this GLS model.

Aside from that, you get shiny black plastics on the door cards, on the shifter, and around the infotainment system. While these look good, they can easily get scratched up and even melted by liquid car air fresheners.

To say that these materials give the vehicle a premium look is a long shot. But they work well together to provide a clean and simple look, which is excellent for car buyers who prefer it. 

There is, after all, a demographic of vehicle owners who just want something that works without the need to be flashy.

The frugal 1.2-liter

Arguably, the powerplant is the main reason why the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 and its hatchback sibling quickly rose to popularity in the country.

It's a 1.2-liter, twin-cam, 12-valve inline-3 gasoline engine that develops 78 PS and 100 Nm of torque.

It is not a fast car by any stretch of the imagination, but it excels at being frugal. In traffic, the Mirage G4 could give us 8 to 10 km/l in the city and 18 to 20 km/l on the highway.

These stellar fuel economy figures are thanks to its continuously variable transmission (CVT), which likes to keep the engine revs nice and low to help you save on gas.

We understand that these figures are about average. But some Mirage G4 owners have reported higher figures with their daily drives, showcasing the sedan's ability to be fuel efficient. 

Decent comfort

One of the first things that you will notice about the Mirage G4 is the vibrations from the engine.

This is nothing to worry about as all 3-cylinder motors are naturally unbalanced. The best way to describe it when paired with the CVT is when you are idling at a stop light, the car shivers like it's about to stall, but it won’t.

Newer drivers will have to get used to this, but it is something veteran owners already know.

As for its ride comfort, it's good, but only to a certain degree, as the suspension components of the Mirage G4 are relatively simple.

They can easily keep minor bumps at bay. But when it comes to bigger potholes, you can feel it through your seat as the force of the bump is distributed throughout the chassis. 

Updates can only do so much

While the formula of simple and affordable still works for the Mitsubishi Mirage G4, its price has increased steadily throughout its 10 years of sale on the Philippine market.

It is now ₱899,000, which puts it squarely within the range of the 1.3-liter variants of the Toyota Vios. These offer you the same sort of features, but with more power and more space.

The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 needs to have a replacement soon. Otherwise, it won’t be able to compete with the latest entries in the segment – simplicity and fuel efficiency will only hold the nameplate for so long until something new and more exciting comes around.

Regardless of age, the Mirage G4 is a crowd favorite for a reason. It still ticks many of the right boxes for Filipino car buyers who want something that works well without any fuss. 

What do you think of the Mitsubishi Mirage G4?

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