Mitsubishi Mirage 2 1.2 5dr Car Review - April 2013

When you consider the performance of the 1.2 litre engine against some of its rivals, the Mirage doesn't do too badly, offering acceleration from 0-62mph in 11.7 seconds, while the top speed of 112mph is also decent enough. The three cylinder engine does become distinctly audible as you start to push on, although it responds well at both low and high revs. The steering is light and direct around town, but it does feel a little vague and wooly when you head out on to the motorway.

The driving position in the Mirage isn't the best, with the reach of the steering wheel unable to be adjusted, while taller drivers will certainly be feeling the pinch in terms of space, particularly if they also have others travelling in the back of the car. Forward visibility is good, but the rear pillars are a little thick, impacting on rear visibility.

With the Mirage being positioned as Mitsubishi's global car, the Mirage is designed to look attractive and understated. While it may not be the most dramatic or adventurous car on the market, it looks neat and tidy and has the large headlight clusters and large bulging rear bumper taking many of its design cues from other small cars from the Far East.

The 2 level of trim does help the Mirage to feel a little more comfortable, with some of the basics like central locking and rear electric windows included, as well as a few luxuries like height adjustment for the driver's seat and a roof spoiler included too. Air conditioning is included as part of the list price, but alloy wheels don't come as standard.

For families with small children the five doors make it much easier to get children in and out of the car; however, the space inside the car is quite limited, and legroom in the back means that most adults wouldn't want to squeeze in for a long journey.

Although the Mirage is yet to undergo the Euro NCAP safety tests, the range of safety equipment including brake assistance and stability control helps the driver to stay out of trouble. While it may not be a car that is designed for luxurious travel, Mitsubishi has always enjoyed a good reputation for reliability, and the Mirage should be no exception.

This is the mid-range version of the Mirage, and has a list price of £11,054, but it would certainly be worth trying to negotiate if you are going to buy a Mirage. There is a discount of £1,000 being included on all models, but it is certainly worth trying to haggle a little more off the price. Even with this discount the Mirage is up against some competitively priced rivals such as the VW Up and the Ford Ka.

One of the greatest selling points for the Mitsubishi Mirage is the low running costs, with the low emissions meaning there is no road tax to pay, and it delivers impressive efficiency figures of an average 68.9mpg. The package is topped off by a generous three year unlimited mileage warranty and a three year roadside breakdown recovery policy.