If you go to the Mitsubishi website for Japan, you will find a confusing notice plastered on the Mirage landing page. The translated text says that Mirage is dead in the company’s home country. Motor1.com reached out to Mitsubishi to inquire about the model’s future in the US, and we’ll update the story when we hear back.
The text read, “As Mirage is discontinued, body colors, options, etc. may not be able to comply with your request.” The model’s demise is not surprising as automakers have abandoned cars, especially smaller ones, in favor of larger crossovers and SUVs.
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Mitsubishi offers the Mirage in the US, selling more than 22,000 units in 2021, up from 2020 but down slightly from the pre-pandemic era. Sales have never reached more than 27,000, but have steadily hovered above the 20,000 mark since 2015. However, the number dips in 2022, with car sales just under 13,000 during the first three quarters of the year. A solid fourth quarter could bring the model closer to the 20,000 threshold, but it’s unlikely to beat it.
Mitsubishi launched the sixth-generation Mirage in 2012 (it arrived in the US for the 2014 model year), so it’s an older model on the market. It underwent two facelifts during that time, with the most recent occurring in 2019, adding teaching and safety features, but they didn’t do much to really modernize the car inside or out. The updated model won’t arrive in the US until the 2021 model year.
The Mirage’s saving grace is its price point – $17,290 for the 2023 entry-level model (price includes $1,045 destination charge). It’s also rated at 39 miles per gallon combined, seats five, and comes with a 100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty.
It’s no surprise then that this was the beginning of the end for Mirage. While Mitsubishi has so far discontinued the model in Japan, that could signal significant changes are coming. In 2018, there were rumors that the Mirage could be a crossover, but that contradicts other earlier reports that the company plans to keep the car as a compact hatchback. Sales have remained strong, but this is an aging model that isn’t likely to have a replacement anytime soon.
