No, that’s not a mirage. Well, yes, it is a mirage but it’s a Mitsubishi Mirage. Didn’t recognize it at first? That’s by design.

An all-new exterior design has the look of the 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage changing from a design similar to the Mazda3 5-door to a more unique exterior. Among the redesigned elements are the hood, grille, front and rear bumper, fog and headlamps, rear spoiler and wheels. The new exterior design was conceived with fuel-efficiency in mind.

Inside potential buyers will find the interior of the Mirage has received an upgrade as well with new seat fabrics, gauge cluster, steering wheel and shift panel. There is also a new available 300-watt Rockford-Fosgate audio system with EcoPunch, as well as in-car display audio supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the first Mitsubishi vehicle to get these popular infotainment systems in the U.S.

A new roller-type camshaft increases the Mirage’s output to 78 horsepower and 74 lb-ft torque.

Mitsubishi is also touting the Mirage’s improved handling, which comes from added stiffness on the front end for handling and stability improvements. Larger brakes made from a different brake pad/shoe material than previous Mirage generations are also standard.

Every 2017 Mirage comes equipped with numerable safety features and technologies including:

• a seven air bag Supplemental Restraint System comprised of dual front air bags, dual front seat-mounted side-impact air bags, dual side-impact curtain air bags, and a driver’s knee air bag
• 4-wheel anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Active Stability Control with Traction Control Logic

Additionally, Mirage models equipped with the continuously-variable transmission-equipped also include Hill Start Assist.

The Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback will be available at dealers in spring 2016.

image courtesy of Mitsubishi