What’s New

• The LE style comes with a number of extras.
• A part of the fifth wave of Mirages, which came out in 2014.

The Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the new cars that you can buy for the least amount of money. It’s a good choice for people on a tight budget, but there are times when it makes more sense to give your cash to a competitor or look at used cars. The Mirage doesn’t have a lot going for it. The road noise is very loud inside, and the three-cylinder engine is weak and has trouble keeping up with traffic. Inside, everything is simple. Still, this small car gets great gas mileage, connects to Apple and Android devices, and can stop itself in an emergency. You could do something better, though.

Even though the Mirage has a simple interior and few standard features, its strong grille and sleek shape give it a subcompact grace. The hatchback gets 39 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway, which is better than the Nissan Versa competitors and about the same as some electric cars. Efficiency, on the other hand, costs something because the gear and small engine have to work hard and loudly to keep up. For 2024, the middle-level LE trim, which still costs about $18,500, gets automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and a seat for the driver. Still, that much money can get you a used car with more options or a more advanced competitor.

The Nissan Versa is the only other cheap new car for 2024 that is still available since the Kia Rio was just canceled. The Versa doesn’t have any extras, but it does have a stronger engine, more driving assistance systems, and better materials inside. The Versa, on the other hand, doesn’t come with the Mirage’s lifetime guarantee, and it only comes as a sedan. It also uses more gas. You could look for a used Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla if you don’t like the Mirage.