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Mitsubishi’s tiny 2017 Mirage G4 is a seriously frugal sedan

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With its tiny engine, spartan interior, and plain styling, the Mitsubishi Mirage seems like a car designed 20 years ago, a super-cheap econobox meant solely to help drivers save money and gas by depriving them of comfort and power. But the Mirage has been a sales success for Mitsubishi, so the company is expanding the lineup.

The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is a four-door sedan version of the pre-existing Mirage hatchback, which gets a revamp itself for 2017. It was actually unveiled last month in Toronto, but makes its U.S. debut this week at the 2016 New York Auto Show. In addition to a trunk, the G4 sports all of the upgrades made to the Mirage sedan for 2017, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Switching to a four-door sedan body obviously changes the styling a bit, and at the other end there’s a sedan-specific front fascia. The Mirage is still either cute or pathetic, depending on your level of cynicism. This sedan is already sold in a bunch of other markets as either the Mirage G4 or the Attrage, and Mitsubishi has mulled bringing it to North America for some time.

Under the hood sits the same 1.2-liter, three-cylinder engine as the Mirage hatchback. Expect it to produce the same 78 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque, and for the same five-speed manual and CVT automatic transmission options to be on tap. What the Mirage lacks in power it makes up for in fuel economy: the last hatchback model to be EPA certified got 40 mpg combined, making it the most efficient non-hybrid car sold in the U.S. Figures for the sedan aren’t in yet.

The interior should be pretty similar to the Mirage hatchback, which gets a new steering wheel and seat materials as part of its 2017 refresh. Like the hatchback, the Mirage G4 gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 300-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system from the five-door may be offered on the sedan as well. Don’t expect too many other luxuries beside those.

The 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 arrives in U.S. showrooms this spring, meaning it should show up at roughly the same time as the revised hatchback. Struggling Mitsubishi could use a hit, and the Mirage has been one so far. We’ll see if the new sedan increases its appeal.

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Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
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