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Review: The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a bestseller, but is it the best?

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 17:00:14 -0500

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the world’s bestselling plug-in hybrid SUV to date.

Over 300,000 have been delivered since it first went on sale in 2013, but not many in the U.S.

The first-generation model didn’t arrive until 2018. And only a couple thousand have been sold annually since then. The more recently introduced Toyota Rav4 Prime and Jeep Wrangler 4xe have shot to the top of the charts with tens of thousands sold.

But the Outlander PHEV is all new for 2023 with more power and range than before.

The compact SUV, which is built on the same platform as the Nissan Rogue, has starting prices of $41,190 to $50,880 across four grades. Since it’s made in Japan, it doesn’t qualify for any federal electric car purchase tax credits, but it’s possible that Mitsubishi may roll them into a lease.

THESE ARE THE ONLY NEW CARS LEFT FOR UNDER $20,000

The Outlander PHEV comes standard with an all-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain rated at 248 horsepower, up from 181 horsepower in the old model. Its 20 kilowatt-hour battery pack provides a similarly impressive increase in the all-electric driving range from 24 miles to 38 miles per charge, according to the EPA.

After the battery is drained, it operates as a conventional hybrid that’s rated at 26 MPG combined, which is similar to the non-hybrid Outlander models. For comparison, the similarly sized and priced Toyota Rav4 Prime has a 42-mile electric range and gets 38 MPG in hybrid mode.

Uncommon among plug-in hybrids, the Outlander PHEV is compatible with public fast charging stations that can refill the battery to 80% in 38 minutes rather than the four hours it takes on a 240-volt charger.

The plug type is the less common CHAdeMO style that the Nissan Leaf also uses. They're harder to find than the CCS used by most plug-in vehicles on sale today — aside from Teslas, which have their own proprietary system. Using a charger away from home kind of defeats the purpose of a plug-in hybrid, however, which is to avoid having to stop and plug in at all on long trips.

But the Outlander PHEV is suited to taking them. It’s front two rows are roomy and well appointed with high-end leather and massaging front seats on top models. A fold-down third row is standard but barely big enough for small children to use and better for short drives.

All but the entry-level trim come with the MI-Pilot advanced driver assist system, which has a robust lane-centering adaptive cruise control system that requires you to keep your hands on the wheel but doesn’t need them to do much when its in operation. It also comes with automatic emergency brakes, and a 360-degree parking camera is available.

The driver is able to choose when the battery power is used. The vehicle can be locked in EV mode or left in a hybrid setting. You can also set it to save the battery for later or switch to a mode that’s supposed to charge it up from the engine while you drive. But, over a couple of hundred highway miles, I didn’t see it have any effect. Even in all-EV mode, it will kick the internal combustion engine in if you need full power, but it rarely does.

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The Outlander PHEV also has several levels of regenerative braking, which uses the electric motors to slow the vehicle when you lift off the accelerator, sending the captured energy to the battery pack. It can be adjusted using paddles behind the steering wheel and a button on the center console that puts it in the maximum setting.

The problem is that, unlike in a lot of electrified cars with the feature, it won’t bring it to a complete stop. It lets up when you get down to single-digit speeds, sometimes abruptly, requiring you to hit the brake pedal. The pedal also depresses itself out of position during regenerative braking, which can catch you off guard until you get used to it.

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The suspension is on the cushy side, which is nice when you’re cruising along, but allows for a bit too much head bobbing in stop-and-go traffic with the regenerative braking engaged, which doesn’t allow for any smooth freewheeling when you let up on the accelerator.

With or without it turned on, the 38-mile range is accurate if not pessimistic. I made it 42 miles on a mixed drive that included a lot of high-speed driving, which is farther than most people drive in a typical day. That puts it pretty much on par with the Rav4 Prime and is almost double what the Wrangler 4xe delivers for about $10,000 more. Most of the other mainstream PHEV SUVs on sale are in the 20s and 30s range.

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The Outlander isn’t necessarily outstanding but could fit the bill for a certain driver with certain needs, including a couple of kids that can make use of that third row of seats.

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2023 Mitsubishi Outlander

Base price: $41,190

As tested: $50,880

Type: 7-passenger, 4-door all-wheel-drive SUV

Engine: 2.4-liter four-cylinder with electric motor assist

Power: 248 horsepower

Transmission: 1-speed automatic

EV Range: 38 miles

MPG: 26 MPG combined

These are the only new cars left for under $20,000

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 06:18:38 -0400

New car prices hit another record in August, with J.D. Power estimating average transactions at $46,259.

Monthly payments also set a new high mark at $716 as demand continued to outstrip the supply of new cars and trucks, with many paying over list to get their hands on vehicles that are also becoming more expensive due to inflation.

Things are particularly tough for budget shoppers looking for an economy car, because they are a quickly dying breed.

The cheapest car in America today, the $14,595 Chevrolet Spark, has been discontinued for the 2023 model year, along with the $17,740 Hyundai Accent.

HERE'S HOW TO GET A $4,000 TAX CREDIT ON A USED ELECTRIC CAR

There are now just three models priced under $20,000, including destination fees, but you can call it five if you're being generous.

NISSAN VERSA

The Nissan Versa sedan is priced at $16,675 for 2022 and expected to return next year. It is roomy for the price and has a relatively potent 122 hp four-cylinder under the hood and a standard 5-speed manual transmission. You will have to step up to the $19,485 SV trim to get the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however, but it also includes an automatic transmission.

TEST DRIVES: THE 2020 NISSAN VERSA AND SENTRA ARE FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT FOR CARS

MITSUBISHI MIRAGE/MIRAGE G4

The Mitsubishi Mirage was the second-cheapest car for 2022, but the 2023 model has been revealed with a higher price and standard automatic transmission. It now starts at $17,290 and remains the least powerful car in the U.S. with a 76 hp three-cylinder engine, but is also the most-efficient non-hybrid at 39 mpg combined. You do get power windows, air conditioning and an AM/FM radio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

For $18,290 it is available as a sedan called the Mirage G4, which has the same powertrain and features but a 37 mpg combined rating.

KIA RIO/RIO 5

Kia has not officially confirmed the Rio's return for 2023, but it has registered it with the EPA for next year, so it is looking like it will be hanging around. For $17,545 in 2022 it is equipped with a 120 hp four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission, plus the wirelessly connected version of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Fancy.

Unlike with the Mirage, a five-door hatchback version called the Rio 5 is offered at a higher price than the sedan that starts at $18,485.

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If you want something else for under $20,000, you will have to buy a used vehicle, but you might not have much luck with that, either. The average price paid in July for second-hand cars and trucks less than six years old was $34,291, according to iseecars.com.

Alleged drug trafficker's seized sports car collection up for auction

Mon, 09 May 2022 13:26:10 -0400

An amazing car collection with a notorious past is up for auction in Massachusetts.

The sports cars were seized by the Northwestern District Attorney's Office in 2020 following the arrest of Cory Taylor, who police found with 138 pounds of marijuana in a van he was driving during a routine traffic stop.

A follow-up investigation turned up evidence suggesting that Taylor, 41, was running a massive drug trafficking operation and had used the proceeds to purchase over two dozen classic sports cars from the 1990s and early 2000s. Weapons and over $4 million in cash were also discovered at two properties he owned in New Salem and Holyoke.

Taylor posted bail, but skipped an arraignment and disappeared until his body was found several weeks later in an abandoned building. The cause of death was officially listed as "undetermined" and the Holyoak clerk's office has confirmed to 91�� Autos that remains true today.

Twenty-nine of the 37 cars that were discovered have now made their way to Stanley J. Paine Auctioneers, which handles many of the district attorney's seized vehicle auctions.

Among them are 13 examples of the fourth-generation Toyota Supra, which was made famous by "The Fast and the Furious" film franchise and has risen in value dramatically in recent years.

One custom Supra that was used in the film was auctioned last year for $550,000 and a customer Supra with 7,000 miles on it was auctioned a few weeks later for a non-film car record $200,000.

Online bidding is currently open on the seized cars ahead of an on-site event at the Orange, Massachusetts, municipal airport on June 4, and the early bidding suggests new records could be set.

A 1996 model with 22,962 on the odometer has seen a flurry of activity pushing the high bid up to $170,000, as of this writing, while a 1997 car was at $155,000 and offers on a 1993 car that's been driven just 8,169 miles had reached $130,000. Stanley Paine told 91�� Autos that bidders must provide a $5,000 deposit to show they are serious.

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The Supras are the most highly-sought after cars at the auction, but there are also several BMW M3s and a pair each of the Honda S2000, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Nissan 350Z.

Price for USA's cheapest cars up 50% on used market

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 10:31:35 -0500

The Chevrolet Spark and Mitsubishi Mirage may be the cheapest new cars on sale today, but the used ones aren't quite as much of a bargain.

Prices for used examples of the subcompacts are up more than 50% compared to last year amid a rise in second-hand car prices driven by the ongoing shortage of new ones.

According to a report from online marketplace iseecars.com, the average price paid in November for a Spark was $15,672, or 50.7% more than the previous year, while Mirages were going for $14,404, which represents a 52.3% increase.

The current starting prices for new examples of the vehicles are $14,595 for a Spark and $15,290 for a Mirage.

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The Mirage and Spark were only second and third on the price hike list, however, which was led by the Nissan Leaf electric compact at 64%, while the industry average stood at 27.9%.

The cheapest new cars you can buy in 2022

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 10:29:30 -0500

It's been a rough year to buy a new car and 2022 doesn't look much better.

Average transaction prices hit a record above $46,000 in October due to low inventories and its going to be a while before the situation returns to normal.

The increase is also the result of a market shift toward trucks and SUVs and many customers buying high end models, but there are still a few economy cars being offered with low suggested retail prices. That's not to say dealers won't try to squeeze a little more out of the sale. We've found examples of the three cheapest cars on sale with markups ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, but there are plenty listed at sticker price.

NISSAN VERSA

The Nissan Versa sedan's price increased by just $100 for 2022 to $16,055, which gets you a 122 hp four-cylinder engine, manual transmission and a surprisingly roomy cabin for the segment.

MITSUBISHI MIRAGE

The Mirage's 76 hp three-cylinder engine makes it the least powerful car on sale today, but the stick-shift subcompact makes up for it with a $15,290 starting price and 41 mpg highway fuel economy rating.

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CHEVROLET SPARK

With the Fiat 500's discontinuation, the Chevrolet Spark is now the smallest new car in the U.S. and it comes with the smallest price. At $14,595 it's the only vehicle available for less than $15,000, but manages to stuff four doors and 98 hp four-cylinder into its tiny package.

This used subcompact car's price has spiked 50%. Here's why

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 07:23:10 -0400

No, you're not seeing things. Prices for used examples of the Mitsubishi Mirage subcompact were up 49.9% in August as the semiconductor chip shortage continues to throttle new and pre-owned car supplies.

According to the latest market survey by iseecars.com, the average sale price during the month for a Mirage was $13,398, or $4,457 higher than last year.

The budget model is one of the lowest-priced vehicles in the U.S., starting at $16,290 new.

The Mirage was closely followed on the list by the Nissan Leaf electric with a bump of 46.% percent and the Chevy Spark, which is the cheapest new car currently on sale and was selling for prices 44.7% higher than in 2020.

The industry average for the month was 26.2% and it looks like the best way to beat it was to spend more money on a luxury SUV.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC had the smallest increase at 8.0%, followed by the Audi SQ5 (9.1%) and Volvo XC90 (9.3%).

Although the overall average was down sharply from June and July, the relative relief may be short-lived.

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The latest Manheim report on wholesale used car prices saw them begin to rise in September after several months of decline.

Toyota Tacoma, Mitsubishi top 'check engine' light vehicle health report

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 07:55:45 -0500

If you’re looking to keep your motor running, buy a Toyota Tacoma.

That’s one of the takeaways from CarMD’s Vehicle Health Index, which found the 2018 Tacoma was the least likely vehicle to experience a "check engine" light issue.

The 2018 Tacoma finished ahead of the 2015 Honda CR-V and 2018 Toyota Camry in a study that looked at over 19 million 1996-2020 model year vehicles to calculate the percentage of each that flashed a check engine light, which covers a host of problems affecting the engine and emissions systems that includes such things as the catalytic converter, oxygen sensor and even a loose gas cap.

The 2017 Tacoma and 2016 Tacoma ranked fifth and 10th, making the model the only truck in the top 10.

2018 Toyota Tacoma
2015 Honda CR-V
2018 Toyota Camry
2017 Honda Accord
2017 Toyota Tacoma
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
2014 Honda CR-V
2017 Ford Explorer
2018 Nissan Rogue
2016 Toyota Tacoma

HERE'S WHAT YOUR 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT PROBABLY MEANS

Toyota didn’t make the top-10 list of brands, however, which, was led by Mitsubishi, Mercedes and Volkswagen.

Mitsubishi
Mercedes
Volkswagen
Buick
Ford
Mazda
BMW
GMC
Subaru
Cadillac

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As for how much each light will cost you, it depends on what you drive. Kias were the cheapest at an average of $322.43 per occurrence, followed by Chrysler ($332.83) and Mazda ($339.35).

Kia ($332,43)
Chrysler ($332.83)
Mazda ($339.35)
Hyundai (352.41)
Dodge (355.92)
Jeep ($359.13)
Chevrolet (373.78)
Ford (381.63)
GMC (384.40)
Volkswagen ($413.06)

The lowest-priced sedans for 2020

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 15:42:19 -0400

With automotive evolution favoring trucks and SUVs in recent years, sedans have become an endangered species. Especially the cheap ones.

Some brands have completely eliminated them from their lineups, and more are likely on the chopping block. But there are a few holdouts for budget buyers who’d rather have a trunk than a hatchback, and these are the lowest-priced models you can get in 2020:

Chevrolet Sonic: $17,595

The compact Chevrolet Cruze is dead, but the subcompact Sonic lives on … for now. Also offered as a hatchback, the Sonic last received a facelift in 2017 and comes standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission and 138 hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 34 mpg.

Kia Rio $16,815

The Kia Rio is built on the same platform as the Hyundai Accent mentioned below and shares many of its features, including the 120 hp four-cylinder engine, but has very different styling and only comes with an automatic transmission with a 41 mpg highway rating.

Hyundai Accent: $16,250

Hyundai is very much in the SUV game and even has a pickup on the way, but the Accent remains in the lineup as a testament to the automaker’s economy car heritage. Powered by a 120 hp four-cylinder, the subcompact is rated at 39 mpg highway with a six-speed manual transmission and 41 mpg with the automatic. Entry-level models are pretty basic, but optional equipment includes automatic emergency brakes and a trunk that can be opened by standing next to it with the key in your pocket.

Mitsubishi Mirage G4: $16,135

The Mirage G4 is the smallest sedan on sale today and its 78 hp three-cylinder engine is the least-powerful motor, period. A 0-60 mph acceleration time of just under 13 seconds makes it the slowest of all cars, but the tradeoff is a fuel economy rating of 40 mpg with a five-speed manual transmission and 41 mpg with the optional CVT automatic that adds $1,255 to the price.

Nissan Versa - $15,655

The Versa isn’t just the cheapest, but it delivers the most bang for the buck. Along with a roomy interior and huge trunk, it has standard front and rear automatic emergency brakes. Its 122 hp four-cylinder engine is good for 40 mpg highway with the available CVT automatic transmission and the Versa is the only mainstream subcompact sedan to offer optional radar cruise control.

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Mitsubishi's turbine-powered off-road buggy runs on alcohol

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 08:26:40 -0400

Mitsubishi has been trying to reinvent itself as a maker of dramatically styled, high-tech SUVs — and its latest concept is definitely both.

The MI-TECH is a tiny, two-seat buggy with big wheels and bulging bodywork, but no doors or roof.

It features a plug-in hybrid powertrain that uses a turbine range extender that runs on a variety of fuels, including diesel, kerosene and alcohol. The turbine is paired with a battery pack to provide power to an electric motor at each wheel, while electric brake calipers replace the traditional hydraulic type.

NEW MITSUBISHI TRITON PICKUP IS READY FOR THE WORLD, BUT NOT THE USA

Mitsubishi says the setup is well-suited to off-road situations where several wheels can be off the ground at once, and allows the MI-TECH to do a 180-degree turn in place like a tank by driving the motors on each side in opposite directions simultaneously.

Don’t expect to see any MI-TECHS spinning around anytime soon, however, as Mitsubishi does not yet have plans to put it into production.

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Amazing photos depict man loading the sun into his SUV

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 08:17:18 -0400

And you thought Gru stealing the moon in “Despicable Me” was impressive.

A Russian man has been caught on camera apparently loading the sun into the trunk of his SUV, but he won’t be prosecuted for any crimes.

The series of images were taken by his photographer wife, Diana Badmaeva, who aligned him perfectly with the setting sun to make it look like he is carrying the celestial body to the vehicle and stuffing it in.

Badmaeva told SWNS she does a lot of sunset photography and a plan to approach the original concept.

"The main thing is to make all the scenes as fast as possible, because the sun sets quickly over the horizon and you only have a few minutes for all this,” she said. “My husband and I talked on the phone so that he would do what I needed.”

“It seems I managed to capture the theft of the century! Or, a quick guide on how to steal the sun.”

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Of course, if you really want to give it a try, you’ll need a slightly larger vehicle than the one seen only in silhouette. Badmaeva told 91�� Autos that it was a Mitsubishi, which has a cargo capacity of less than two cubic meters while the volume of the sun is 1.4 x 10^27cubic meters, give or take.

The new Mitsubishi Triton pickup is ready for the world, but not the USA

Fri, 09 Nov 2018 11:38:32 -0500

Mitsubishi’s new midsize Triton/L200 pickup is just the sort of thing its American dealers have been clamoring for, but they won’t be getting it anytime soon.

The Thailand-built truck has traditionally been one of the brand’s top-sellers worldwide, but this new one hasn’t been engineered to meet U.S. regulations, despite the segment’s recent resurgence with the introduction of the Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon and upcoming Ford Ranger.

It’s been a decade since Mitsubishi sold a pickup in the U.S., and the automaker’s North America CEO Fred Diaz told 91�� Autos that the “first question out of every dealer’s mouth whenever I have a meeting” is when they’re going to get a new one.

FOX NEWS AUTOS TEST DRIVE: 2018 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS

But Diaz said that, while he is studying the business case for one, the small truck segment is hyper-competitive right now, and Mitsubishi is more focused on building a customer base for its SUVs and plug-in hybrids.

The body-on-frame pickup adopts similar styling to them inside and out, including the signature “Dynamic Shield” grille. It’s also equipped with the company’s latest tech, including a 360-degree camera, automatic emergency brakes and a system that uses ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles in parking lots and prevents the driver from accelerating when pulling out of a space.

Available with both gas and diesel engines, the new Triton will start rolling into showrooms in over 150 countries that includes Mexico over the coming year.

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The 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross proves times have changed

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 11:59:00 -0400

Mitsubishi doesn’t make any sports cars anymore, but it’s hoping you’ll remember one that it used to: the Eclipse.

That crazy lime green and blue coupe a young Paul Walker drove in “The Fast and the Furious” was one of them, and the model had a solid run through four generations from 1990 to 2012.

Now the automaker has brought the name back on a compact SUV it calls the Eclipse Cross that has no other connection to Walker’s nitro-powered custom, other than that it’s meant to appeal to young drivers, who are more into this sort of thing today.

Actually, that’s not entirely accurate. With its gently sloping rear roofline, the Eclipse Cross kind of fits into the SUV “coupe” category made trendy by luxury brands in recent years, although it’s Pontiac Aztek-style split rear window is a little bizarre. That’s also true for the abundance of chrome all over the front of it and pretty much everywhere else, which seems to be more than there’s been on every car from the past 30 years. Combined.

The Eclipse Cross splits the difference in size between the company’s more conventional Outlander and Outlander Sport SUVs, and all three share a platform and wheelbase. It starts at $24,425 for a front-wheel-drive version with a 152 horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and CVT transmission, while an all-wheel-drive system -- which Mitsubishi’s calls Super-All Wheel Control, because why not? -- costs $600 extra. The only things that change as you move up from there are features and trim. Oddly, the more powerful three-row Outlander is just a couple of hundred bucks more and probably worth considering if parking isn’t an issue for you.

The Eclipse Cross is on the small end of the compact SUV segment on the outside, but has a roomy cabin that offers more legroom than even four tall adults will know what to do with. There’s so much, in fact, that the rear seats can slide forward to expand the cargo area, which is one the all-time best SUV features.

I tested a top-of the line SEL with S-AWC that was loaded up to a lofty $35,260, including $3,545 worth of appearance accessories that you can live without, but add a lot of dazzle. It has a fantastically comfortable set of leather seats at this level, a head-up display and trim materials that are on par with competitors like the Ford Escape and Hyundai Tucson. The design looks snazzy, but is filled with a few foibles.

They all involve the infotainment system, which pairs a tablet-style touchscreen with a mousepad on the center console that isn’t very precise and doesn’t work well with the onscreen menus. Aside from a thumb controller on the steering wheel, there aren’t buttons or knobs for changing stations or adjusting the volume, just the screen and touchpads positioned around it that are inconvenient to use while driving.

It is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, however, and if you need directions you’ll have to use one of those because there is no built-in navigation system. This is becoming the norm with the latest mainstream cars, and it’s not really a bad thing. Mitsubishi’s signature subwoofer-enhanced rRockford Fosgate audio system rocks, as usual, regardless of the source of the sounds coming out of it.

The Eclipse Cross should kill during test drives, because it makes a very good impression around town. It has a commanding seating position, light steering and a suspension clearly aimed at soaking up the urban grind. On the highway, it’s a different story.

The power and transmission are both fine, but the ride is bouncy, with nautical levels of body roll that even my passengers complained about. Combined with vague, lazy steering, the little guy feels like a big old truck at times, and you’ll come to appreciate the optional lane-departure and blind-spot warning systems because of that. They come bundled in a $2,500 package that includes adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency brakes. That said, it is quiet, if not particularly fuel efficient, with a combined EPA rating of just 25 mpg.

Swapping in a set of stiffer dampers would help tighten things up and maybe bring back a little of that original Eclipse spirit. That’s the kind of thing the kids have always liked to do to Mitsubishi’s cars, but I doubt you’ll see many modified versions of the Eclipse Cross.

Maybe someone will at least paint one lime green, which sadly isn’t on the options list, but sounds like a special edition just waiting to happen. As is, the Eclipse Cross’ blend of spaciousness and style make it an interesting, if imperfect option in a crowded class.

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2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Base price: $24,425

As tested: $35,260

Type: 5-passenger, 4-door all-wheel-drive SUV

Engine: 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder

Power: 152 hp, 184 lb-ft

Transmission: CVT automatic

MPG: 25 city/26 hwy

Mitsubishi admits falsifying fuel mileage test data

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 06:02:36 -0400

Mitsubishi Motors Corp., the Japanese automaker tarnished by a massive recall-cover-up 15 years ago, owned up to another scandal Wednesday, saying employees had intentionally falsified fuel mileage test data for several vehicle models.

The inaccurate tests by the Tokyo-based automaker involved 157,000 of its own-brand eK wagon and eK Space light passenger cars, and 468,000 Dayz and Dayz Roox vehicles produced for Nissan Motor Co.

The models are all so-called "minicars" with tiny engines whose main attraction is generally great mileage. They were produced from March 2013.

The problem surfaced after Nissan pointed out inconsistencies in data, the company said. Mitsubishi conducted an internal probe and found that tire pressure data was falsified to make mileage appear better than it actually was.

"The wrongdoing was intentional. It is clear the falsification was done to make the mileage look better. But why they would resort to fraud to do this is still unclear," company president Tetsuro Aikawa told reporters.

He and other company executives bowed in apology.

Aikawa said that although he was unaware the irregularities were happening, "I feel responsible."

The company said it would investigate whether data were altered for vehicles sold overseas. It was unclear by how much the data were altered.

Mitsubishi Motors struggled for years to win back consumer trust after an auto defects scandal in the early 2000s over cover-ups of problems such as failing brakes, faulty clutches and fuel tanks prone to falling off dating back to the 1970s.

Aikawa was asked if the latest impropriety highlighted how the company had not fundamentally fixed itself after the recall scandal, although it had promised repeatedly to come clean.

"I realize that view exists," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "I see how difficult it can be to have compliance consciousness spread among all our employees."

Mitsubishi, which also makes the Outlander sport-utility vehicle and the i-MiEV electric car, is setting up a panel of outsiders to investigate the latest scandal.

"We will investigate why this happened and prevent a recurrence," said Aikawa. "We will inform our customers. I feel horrible they were given the wrong numbers."

Production and sales for all affected models were halted, according to the companies.

Nissan said in a statement that it recently discovered discrepancies in data from Mitsubishi about light vehicles it provided while assessing the current model in preparation for its next-generation vehicle.

"In response to Nissan's request, Mitsubishi admitted that data had been intentionally manipulated in its fuel economy testing process for certification," Nissan said.

It said that after consulting Japan's transport ministry, it told dealers to stop selling the affected vehicles. Nissan was considering ways to help owners of the cars already sold.

"Nissan understands and regrets the inconvenience and concern this will cause our valued customers," it said.

Japan has been hit periodically by such scandals at top-name companies. Among the recent ones are electronics company Toshiba Corp., which acknowledged it had doctored accounting books for years.

Unlike some Western accounting scandals, the ones in Japan did not result in enrichment of individual employees. Instead, workers simply wanted to "save face" for the company.

Mitsubishi's 112 MPG-e Electric Car

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:20:24 -0400

It’s official: Mitsubishi’s compact four seat electric car, the 2012 Mitsubishi i, is more fuel efficient than the 2011 Nissan Leaf.

Rated by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) for both fuel economy and range per charge, the Mitsubishi achieved a combined fuel economy of 112 miles per gallon equivalent, beating the 2011 Nissan Leaf’s 99 MPGe and 2011 Chevrolet Volt’s 93 MPGe.

But while the $27,990 compact electric car may be more fuel efficient than its rivals, its smaller battery pack results in an official EPA approved real-world range of just 62 miles per charge.

Under the EPA’s LA4 test cycle, the 2012 Mitsubishi i’s range increased to 98 miles per charge.

Why great fuel economy but poor range?

At a total capacity of 16 kilowatt-hours, the 2012 Mitsubishi i has a significantly smaller battery pack than the 24 kilowatt-hour pack found in the 2011 Nissan Leaf.

A smaller battery pack helps keep vehicle weight down, which in turn improves efficiency. But that comes at a price - a smaller range.

For those not worried about the 62 mile range, however, the 2012 Mitsubishi is could prove a worthy rival to the larger 2011 Nissan Leaf when it comes to the basic cost per mile analysis.

Click here for more from AllCarsElectric

Mitsubishi's '$8,000' Electric Car

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:54:07 -0400

Driving electric just got cheaper, as Mitsubishi announced that its 2012 'i' electric car would be priced at just $27,990 before incentives when deliveries begin in California next January.

That makes the 2012 Mitsubishi 'i' the least expensive plug-in car on sale in the U.S. market. It qualifies for a $7,500 Federal income-tax credit, plus a host of state, local, and corporate incentives.

The new pricing puts significant pressure on Toyota, which had vowed that its 2012 Prius Plug-In Hybrid would be the lowest-priced plug-in sold in the States when it goes on sale by June 2012.

Interested buyers can register to pre-order the car starting tomorrow. In an interesting digital twist, a pair of deposits--one for the car, the other for a mandatory home inspection--will be accepted via Paypal.

The price of $27,990 applies to the base trim level, known as the 'i' ES. The next level up, the SE, adds 15-inch aluminum wheels, fog lamps, and a better sound system, for an additional $2,000.

And the SE Premium trim level, for $2,790 more, adds a navigation system, more infotainment options, and a DC fast-charging port.

That last option may be the most important one, since it allows the battery pack to be recharged to about 80 percent of capacity in just half an hour.

The fast-charge port uses the same Chademo standard that's also optional on the 2011 Nissan Leaf, meaning that the handful of fast charging stations that now exist in the U.S.--there are ambitious plans to add more--will work with either vehicle.

One final option on the 2012 Mitsubishi 'i' electric car is the Cold Zone package, which includes heated exterior mirrors and a system to keep the lithium-ion battery pack warm.

The price does not include a required delivery charge, which Mitsubishi spokesman Moe Durand estimated to be in the neighborhood of $720.

Applying the same math that we used for a hypothetical buyer of a 2011 Nissan Leaf who lived and worked in a very particular set of circumstances, there are a handful of California buyers who might be able to buy a 2012 Mitsubishi 'i' for slightly less than $8,000.

Click here for more from GreenCarReports.com

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:01:18 -0400

Mitsubishi is an automaker going through a transitional phase.

Once known for its rugged off-road trucks and sports cars, and more recently for bread and butter sedans and crossovers, the small (in the U.S.) Japanese outfit is in the process of reinventing itself as a leader in electrified vehicles.

Its battery-powered i-MiEV subcompact is already one of the best-selling electric cars in the world and heading our way next year as just the i. The company’s first hybrids are also in the works and rumor has it that even the next all-wheel-drive rally-inspired Lancer Evolution performance compact will mate an electric motor with its high-power turbocharged engine.

For the moment, however, the company’s hopes ride on something a bit more pedestrian: the Outlander Sport.

The name is both descriptive and misleading. A shortened version of the company’s mainstay Outlander CUV, the two-row crossover is not particularly sporty. Despite an exterior design that apes the Evo's the $19,305 Sport is equipped with a relatively puny 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces only 148 horsepower. For comparison, two of its main rivals on price and size -- the base models of the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage – deliver 165 hp and 176 hp, respectively.

The Sport also has an optional Continuously Variable automatic Transmission (CVT.) to supplement its standard 5-speed manual. Popular in hybrids and over at Nissan for their theoretically economical nature, the decision to use this ‘gearless’ gearbox is a sure indicator that the mission of the Sport is fuel economy and not speed. Unfortunately, so equipped, it’s only able to beat its more powerful rivals by 1 and 2 mpg combined at 27 mpg. Still, a win is a win.

The test car that I spent a week with was an almost fully loaded Sport SE with all-wheel-drive, and a combined EPA rating of 26 mpg -- an impressive efficiency retention given its added capability. Along with Mitsubishi’s FUSE Bluetooth and USB connectivity system, which is standard on all Sports, it was also fitted with a 710-watt Rockford-Fosgate stereo, 40GB hard drive navigation and keyless entry.

Nevertheless, the interior of the Sport lets down its aggressive body in the same way that its powertrain does. The overall impression is retro rental car. I usually like the type of simplicity seen here, but the materials used and lack of trim don’t impress. A soft-touch toupee covering the face of the dashboard comes across as a particular afterthought.

Push off and things don’t improve much. Under acceleration the engine strains with an unpleasant drone that has proven to be the bugaboo of CVT-equipped powertrains. There’s lots of sound, but not much fury. This is not a quick car. Get comfortable with the right lane.

The Sport seems to be. Its overly-cushy suspension doesn’t exactly inspire brisk driving, and things get pretty noisy on the highway. Several times I found myself concerned that I was speeding, only to check the speedometer and find out that I was several miles under the limit. In a full-size pickup truck I drove recently the opposite was true. If you’re concerned about your kids hooning it up when you’re not around, buy them one of these.

Then again, perhaps this is partially by design. Befitting Mitsubishi’s legacy as 12-time winner of the off-road ultra-endurance Paris-Dakar rally, the all-wheel-drive system in the Sport is fully-adjustable. You can set it to front-wheel-drive only for ultimate fuel efficiency, leave it in all-wheel-drive in bad weather or lock it in 4x4 for the really…well, not so really rough stuff. The stock tires are far from up for the task of mud bogging, but that cushy suspension does an admirable job soaking up largish rocks, even if the trade-off is some serious head toss. You won’t want to enter a race through the Sahara, but a bit of “outlanding” down gravel roads is definitely in the cards.

There are a couple of other highlights worth mentioning, and one literal bright spot. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels great in your hands and has paddles behind it that allow you to enter a fantasy world where the CVT has six gears. Seats are cloth-only, but as soft as the suspension and the fronts are heated in the top-level Sport SE. I rarely make it more than an hour before my lumbar region starts complaining, but it was apparently pleased with the Sport. Most impressive is the panoramic glass roof that comes bundled in a $1,800 premium package with the high-end stereo. Nothing makes a so-so car more enjoyable than turning it into a convertible, and this gets you halfway there without the cowl shake.

As it stands, the Sport is already outselling the mothership Outlander and could be Mitsubishi’s best-seller anytime soon. Its handsome looks are apparently bringing lots of people into showrooms, while its low starting price, frugality and 10 year/100,000 mile warranty are sending them home in new cars. One rumor has it that a much more powerful turbocharged version is on the way next year to kick up sales even more, while another puts a plug-in hybrid powertrain under the hood.

Two very divergent roads, but in this case, either would be a good choice.

----------

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE

Base Price: $23,775

As tested: $27,575

Type: 5-door, 5-passenger crossover

Engine: 2.0L inline-4

Power: 148 hp, 145 lb-ft torque

Transmission: CVT automatic

MPG: 24 city/29 hwy

Two electric cars, one planet to race around: Who will win?

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:46:04 -0400

Remember the two French guys in their Mitsubishi i (well, Citroen C-Zero)?

Their eight-month, 15,500-mile journey in the tiny electric car is just one of many long-distance EV publicity drives we've seen, but certainly one of the longest.

Naturally, they're not the only people to have thought of circumnavigating the globe on in a production electric car--and now they're being joined by French Tesla Roadster owner Rafael de Mestre.

Only Rafael isn't so much joining the French duo as intending to beat them, snatching the record for first global journey in an electric car.

The C-Zero team of Xavier Degon and Antonin Guy might have started three months ago, but with a range of 50 to 60 miles on a charge, they won't be making progress quite as rapidly as Rafael, who can potentially manage up to 200 miles between charges.

According to Clean Technica, de Mestre intends to complete his journey not in 8 months, but a Jules Verne-inspired 80 days.

Neither team will be the first to drive around the globe in an EV, but the winner will be the first to complete the journey in a production electric car, one with no special modifications above standard.

Both teams are currently in Asia, the Citroen duo Tweeting as they pass through Vietnam, and de Mestre commenting that he's just received his Chinese licence plates to pass through the country. Given how quickly the Tesla has caught up, it's only a matter of time before he passes the other team.

Tesla versus Citroen may not be much of a contest, but two things are clear.

One: Electric cars aren't as useless over long journeys as some areas of the press might have you believe. And two: Both teams are almost certainly having a lot of fun, which is what road trips are really all about.

Click here for more auto news from GreenCarReports

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage Test Drive

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 14:06:11 -0400

“You’re too bendy!”

That’s a concise, but surprisingly accurate critique of the handling characteristics of the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage courtesy of my five-year-old son, but we’ll get to that in a bit.

The all-new Mirage is the most old-school econobox in showrooms today.

Priced at $14,790 it is one of the lowest priced cars in showrooms, but for that you get a five-door subcompact with seating for five, an automatic transmission, power windows and locks, keyless entry, USB port and not only a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, but five years of roadside assistance to help quell your bargain basement concerns.

Test Drive: 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander GT

A model with a 5-speed manual transmission is also available for a thousand bucks less that has a combined fuel economy rating of 37 mpg, but that’s the city rating for the automatic, which delivers 44 mpg on the highway and 40 mpg combined, the most of any car that’s not a hybrid or electric.

Sounds pretty incredible, but it’s not magic, just the result of the time-tested formula of low cost production, low weight and low power.

The Mirage is built in Thailand, and the first car imported from that growing automotive manufacturing center to the United States. Think Japan in the 1970s, Korea in the 1980s or Mexico in the 1990s and you get the idea.

It also tips the scales at under a ton, which is hundreds of pounds less than typical small cars, even the teeny tiny Chevrolet Spark.

Perhaps most important, it’s powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that produces just 74 hp, making it the second wimpiest car in America behind the Smart Fortwo.

Since the Mirage is so light, that’s enough power to get it around, but to enable all of the above, it leaves a few things in its wake, including refinement.

Although the cabin is relatively attractive, it’s built from the most complete collection of hard plastic I’ve seen in a car in years. The fit and finish is so-so, and there doesn’t seem to be any insulation underneath it.

Road, wind and engine noise fill the cabin at will, the last of those sounding something like a broken duck call. The aural assault can be physically exhausting on log trips, which is unfortunate because the cloth-upholstered seats are pretty comfortable, if shapeless.

Then there’s that bendy thing.

Around town, the Mirage is an ace. Its overboosted steering and tidy proportions give it a rodent like ability to scoot through traffic and slip into parking spaces, while its super-soft suspension sucks up potholes like they’re painted on.

Out on the open road it’s a different story.

Around turns, the Mirage rolls like it’s at sea, then springs back in the other direction before settling down. Hit a heave in the surface and it’s the same thing in the vertical plane.

My kids were literally putting their hands in the air and yelling “woaaaaah” as I navigated off-ramps at below the posted speed limit. Pick the right road, and you can skip the summer trip to the amusement park.

Additional savings? Perhaps, but you’ll work for it.

Still, those mpg numbers aren’t illusory. Combined with the upfront cost, the Mirage is an economy car of the highest order.

One problem with the Mirage is that you can get the larger Nissan Versa with an automatic for pretty much the same money, but it only gets 30 mpg, which is a big difference. On the other hand, if you opt for the upscale Mirage ES with fog lights, alloy wheels, Bluetooth and add the optional navigation system you’re looking at a seventeen thousand dollar car and a whole lot of alternatives at that price point tempting you with their 21st century style.

But not everybody is looking for that. People always ask me why they don’t make affordable, economical, back to basics cars like they used to. Well, they do.

At least Mitsubishi does.

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage

Base Price: $13,790

As Tested: $16,890

Type: 5-door, 5-passenger, front-wheel-drive hatchback

Engine: 1.2-liter 3-cylinder

Power: 74 hp, 74 lb-ft

Transmission: CVT automatic

MPG: 37 city/44 hwy

Test Drive: 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander GT

Tue, 03 Sep 2013 12:00:20 -0400

With its circuit board-style grille and taillight details, the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander looks every bit the modern car whose name always brings to my mind a Sean Connery Sci-Fi flick should.

Available in four-cylinder (SE) and six-cylinder (GT) models, the all-new crossover comes standard with seven seats at a starting price of just twenty-four thousand dollars, making it one of the most affordable vehicles in the three-row class, even if it’s kids-only for the cheap seats.

An all-wheel-drive system is available with both engines, and offers several modes, including an Eco setting that should deliver on the 224 horsepower V6's EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway. Both numbers are on the high side for a CUV this size, thanks in part to its surprisingly low weight, but the optional high-tech safety features are what help it stand out in its increasingly crowded segment.

The Outlander offers lane departure warning and radar cruise control, which includes a collision avoidance feature that can automatically apply the brakes if it thinks you’re about to rear end the car in front of you. These sorts of systems have been slowly trickling down from the luxury car ranks, but can’t be had yet in Outlander competitors like the Kia Sorrento and Hyundai Santa Fe, so there’s your space-age trump card. A IIHS Top Safety Pick comes along for the ride.

It also has stable, pleasant enough ride and is very quiet inside, but features less forward-thinking styling there than on the exterior. In fact, it’s got the same “oh yea, we need a dashboard and stuff” vibe that most Subarus exhibit, which seems to be working out fine for them. You can fit it with a 710-watt Rockford Fosgate stereo, however, and add a navigation system that includes a screen with your exact coordinates and altitude -- add a few inches to the latter figure for the high, truck-like seating position.

That's the sort of information that comes in handy in the great unknown, but despite its adventurous name, the only place you're likely to get lost in the Outlander is the mall parking lot. It's a soft-roader, through and through. The V6 can tow up to thirty-five-hundred pounds in case you go crazy on a shopping spree, though.

Next year, however, the Outlander will go where no crossover has gone before, when a plug-in hybrid version arrives. US specs aren’t available yet, but based on the overseas version already on sale, it could offer an electric range of over 25 miles and a fuel economy rating near 100 miles per gallon. Now that’s progress.

As is, the 2014 Outlander is an entirely acceptable effort that makes good on its reasonable price tag and shouldn’t disappoint current Outlander owners, while appealing to the few, daring Mitsubishi cross-shoppers that happen to stumble upon one of its few and often far between showrooms.

Cars that get 90 mpg

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Mitsubishi unveils pickup truck of the future

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:23:15 -0500

It’s been a few years since Mitsubishi sold trucks in the United States, but it’s still a big player in the small pickup market around the world.

Its popular L200 is a very modern-looking little utility, but also very conventional, powered by a variety of gasoline and diesel-powered engines.

However, the Japanese automaker has now unveiled the hybrid GR-HEV concept at the Geneva Motor Show, offering at glimpse at a possible pickup truck of the future.

Powered by a 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine assisted by an electric motor, Mitsubishi says the streamlined 4x4 would produce just 149 grams of CO2 per mile, which is equivalent to about 47 mpg on the European fuel economy test cycle.

Although there are no official plans to put it into production yet, Mitsubishi is very focused on alternative powertrains these days, and a product like this seems like a distinct possibility.

Mitsubishi’s battery-powered i was one of the first all-electric cars on sale in the U.S., and the company is set to introduce a plug-in hybrid version of the new Outlander crossover here next year.

As for a return to the small truck segment, however, with its Normal, Illinois plant geared up for Outlander Sport production, and the 25% “chicken tax” still applied to trucks manufactured outside the NAFTA zone, Mitsubishi’s pickup of the future may be out of reach for Americans for quite some time to come.

Read: Return of the Ford F-100?

U.S. Spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV Unveiled

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:37:41 -0500

Mitsubishi was one of the first major automakers to announce plans for a mass produced electric vehicle and even had a working prototype out testing back in 2008 in the form of the first generation i-MiEV. Since then the i-MiEV has gone through a series of redesigns until finally being launched in production trim earlier this year in Japan and Europe.

Now, finally, the i-MiEV is about to make its official debut in the U.S. at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. The car being shown will be a U.S.-spec i-MiEV, which means it will sport a wider body that was designed to meet U.S. crash standards as well as the country's appetite for bigger vehicles.

In addition, the U.S.-spec i-MiEV's front and rear bumpers are all-new. Airbags that detect passengers' seating position and control deployment force, tire pressure monitoring systems and stability control are all standard. Inside, there is space for four adults.

The i-MiEV is expected to arrive with a 63 horsepower electric motor running on lithium-ion batteries. This should be enough to provide the car with a driving range of roughly 100 miles and should take about seven hours to charge from a regular household power outlet. In an attempt to curtail long charge times, a 'quick-charge' pack is also being developed by power companies, which will see the i-MiEV's battery being charged to 80 percent of its capacity in just 35 minutes.

Mitsubishi has confirmed that the i-MiEV will go on sale in the U.S. in the fall of 2011 with a pricetag below $30,000 without including the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles.

Click here for more from TheCarConnection.com

Future Drive: Mitsubishi i-MiEV Electric

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:48:36 -0400

When it goes on sale in late 2011, the battery-powered Mitsubishi i-MiEV will be entering an increasingly crowded segment of electric cars. The Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus BEV, Fiat 500 Electric and several other models are all expected to be in showrooms by then, offering consumers a wide choice of options. But if it's attention you’re after, none of those come close.

The i-MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) is so alien in appearance to American eyes that it could pass for one of those new animal species that keep popping up in the remote regions of Papua, New Guinea. Imagine a katydid that Mother Nature decided to cross-breed with a kidney bean and you get the idea. Chrome plate it and, in profile, the little bugger could pass for a miniature, motorized version of the Cloud Gate in Chicago’s Millennium Park. More than any other vehicle from a major manufacturer, is the visual incarnation of the utopian, electric future that we’ve been promised -- and threatened with -- all of these years.

Strange, then, to learn that the i-MiEV started life as simply the i, a conventional car powered by an old-fashioned internal combustion engine, albeit a very small one. The 5-door was designed to the specifications of Japan’s Kei-car class, which places severe restrictions on size and power in exchange for breaks on taxes and parking regulations. As of this writing, the only vehicle that is smaller than the i-MiEV in the United States is the Smart Fortwo, which – surprise, surprise -- will also be available in an electric version in the coming months.

Strip the 3-cylinder 660cc engine out of a Kei car, however, and you are left with an extremely light vehicle platform that offers the perfect template for an electric conversion, and the heavy lithium-ion batteries that come with it. In the i-MiEV, these take the form of a 16 kilowatt-hour (kWh) pack tucked under the floor, which powers a 63 hp electric motor located between the rear wheels.

That’s right, just like the Fortwo, or a Formula 1 car for that matter, the i-MiEV is rear-wheel drive, adding to its cool factor.

The tall roof of the otherwise mini Mitsubishi allows for upright seating, and four 6-footers fit fine, as long as they don’t need to stretch their legs. Relatively huge windows lend an airy feel to the cabin, and it’s only when someone sits next to you that you realize how narrow it is. In the Japanese market vehicle that I tested, the passenger is seated on the left as the steering wheel is on the right. This will change when the car emigrates to America, and the i-MiEV will also grow slightly in length and width to help it meet safety standards in its new homeland.

Since the i is a very cheap car – in the neighborhood of $12,000 if it were sold here – the interior of the current iteration of the i-MiEV follows suit in order to defray the costs of the electric powertrain. The shapes are stylish and soft, but all of the plastic that they are made of is rock hard, and the control layout remains simple, belying the high level technology that it communicates with.

It takes a close look at the instruments to notice that the fuel gauge is now a battery charge meter and the digital speedometer is semi-circumscribed by an arc that tracks instantaneous power usage. Next generation stuff this is not, but a touch-screen infotainment system will be standard on U.S. models, which will be priced “under $30,000” before a $7,500 federal tax credit and various state-level incentives that are available for the purchase of an electric vehicle.

Charging the i-MiEV takes about 14 hours on a 120v outlet, or half that time when plugged into a 240v power supply. There’s also a separate input for a commercial-grade fast charger that can fill the battery to 80 percent of its capacity in less than 30 minutes, but there aren’t too many of those around yet.

Topped off, Mitsubishi pegs the range of the i-MiEV at 80-100 miles, or as low as 60 mi on a bad day. This is par for the course in today’s world of grown-up golf carts and similar to Nissan’s claim for the Leaf. The difference is that the larger and heavier Nissan requires a 24 kWh pack to do it, while i-MiEV’s is the same size as the one in the partially battery-powered Chevy Volt, which can go only 25-50 miles per charge before its internal combustion engine kicks in to generate electricity for longer trips.

With 113-pound-ft of torque on tap as soon as you touch the accelerator, the 2,400-pound hatchback moves away smoothly and silently from a standstill. The smaller the car, the more you appreciate the experience of electric drive, as it eliminates the frantic revving and shifting usually associated with an econobox struggling to generate enough power to get up to speed. In the city -- where the i-MiEV is in its element –- it’s more than quick enough to keep up with the flow while you take advantage of its diminutive dimensions and nimble handling to peck your way through traffic. And, while its tires are likely smaller than the space-saving spare in your trunk, rough urban roads are disposed of without fuss.

Top speed is governed at 84 mph, but legal limits below that mark are easily achieved and sustained. Even on the highway, where wind and road noise usually rear their ugly heads, the i-MiEV remains noticeably quiet, despite the apparent scarcity of sound-deadening material in its featherweight doors.

Similar to hybrids, however, electric cars stretch their range better around town where regenerative braking systems are able to recapture a good portion of the energy that would be otherwise lost during the stopping part of stop and go traffic. In the i-MiEV, you can enhance this effect by switching from Drive to ECO mode, which cranks up the regen effect and dials the throttle back to about 80 percent, helping you to avoid wasting much of that energy in the first place. Pull the transmission selector one slot farther into B and it engages Brake mode, which restores full throttle but increases the regen even further, to the point where the actual brake pedal becomes much less important when you need to slow down.

Unfortunately, after a short run around Manhattan at what I thought was a moderate pace, the odometer indicated that we’d gone just 35 km, or 21 miles, but the battery charge meter was already flying at half-mast.

Cue the range anxiety.

By the time all of the bars were gone, the final tally was 46 miles. I didn’t push it any further, even though I’d been told that a little juice is held in reserve for emergencies. Still, I have a hard time believing that there was another 14 miles worth left in there, let alone enough to hit that 80-100 mile range.

I wanted to give it another go or two, as I know others have fared better with the same car, but I ran into another one of the harsh realities of electric vehicle ownership before I could. In New York City, where I live and work, there is currently only one public charging station. Not surprisingly, it was available when I arrived – regular online checks indicate that it usually is – but neither the attendants nor I could get it to work. Sadly, my third floor apartment is too far from the street to run an extension cord to the curb…as if that would still be there in the morning, anyway.

It’s a shame, because for an urban dweller like me the i-MiEV seems to be a literal perfect fit. If nothing else, I wish everyone else in town drove one so I wouldn’t have to put up with the sound of traffic going by my window all night long. As it stands, it seems to be better suited for driving into the city from a nice, quiet home in the suburbs where you can pull into the garage at night and plug it in, which is equally a shame.

If I owned one, I’d rather leave it out front. I could use the attention.

Fox Car Report is on Twitter! Follow us @foxcarreport

----------

Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Price (est.): Under $30,000

Type: 4-passenger, rear-wheel-drive, 5-door hatchback

Motor: permanent magnet A/C synchronous electric

Power: 63 hp, 133 lb-ft torque

Transmission: Single-speed

Range (est.): 80-100 miles

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