Mitsubishi i-MiEV 5dr Car Review - February 2012

The electric motor produces 65bhp and 133 lb-ft of torque. This translates to a top speed of 81mph, while 0-62 mph arrives in 13.0 seconds. The i-MiEV is pretty nippy in busy traffic and unlike many electric cars can operate on the motorway too. If traffic is quieter you can slot the 4-speed automatic gearbox into an Eco setting that reduces power and extends the range.

The car is at its best around town, where you can take advantage of its small dimensions and tight turning circle. However the steering is heavy at parking speeds and the ride is uncomfortable. On the motorway the car is far too easily buffeted by side winds and the wake from HGVs. Its narrow tyres find every bump in the road surface. Grip is extremely limited.

In terms of refinement, the I-MiEV is disappointing. The motor is located at the rear of the car beneath the boot, and noise can still be heard. On faster roads the noise becomes more high-pitched and can be irritating. There is a lot of wind and road noise too.

There is just one trim choice and the exterior is quite bland. The steering wheel and gear knob are covered in leather, and the cabin is well-built and solid. However the plastics look and feel cheap.

The car comes with alloy wheels, climate control, electric mirrors, electric front windows, remote central locking, stereo and MP3 connectivity as standard. Mitsubishi also offers several options to let your add the personal touch to your car, including exterior graphics, leather upholstery and biodegradable floor mats.

In the practicality stakes, the I-MiEV is disappointing. Headroom is fine but adults seated in the rear will have little legroom and their knees will dig into the backs of people seated in the front through the thinly-padded seats. The boot is far from generous too. There is just 227 litres of boot space with the seats up, and 860 litres when the seats are down.

The i-MiEV comes with plenty of safety kit, including driver airbag, passenger airbag and front-side airbags, as well as stability control and anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution as standard, with the car achieving a four-star NCAP safety rating. The i-MiEV is fitted with an alarm and immobiliser to ward off thieves. Mitsubishi has a consistent reliability record, however if you do get stuck by the roadside, the car comes with free breakdown cover.

The dashboard features simple rotary heater controls but the stereo buttons are complicated and difficult to reach. The driver’s seat adjusts for height but, as the steering is fixed, it may prove tricky for some drivers to find their ideal driving position.

Mitsubishi claims the car will travel 90 miles between charges and will add only £115 to your electricity bill every 12,000 miles. In addition it is exempt from road tax and the London congestion charge on account of zero emissions, making it amongst the ultimate in green vehicles. However it incurs a high insurance premium coming under the insurance bracket of 27.

The list price £28,990 is steep even with the government grant for electric vehicles. It is three times the average price of conventional petrol engine city cars, and looks dear when compared to its main rival the Nissan Leaf. The car is affordable only to those with considerable income and it may be wise to bide your time and wait for the technology to become cheaper and more sophisticated. Due to limited availability, residual values should be good.