A white 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage is shown parked near graffiti on a wall after visiting a Mitsubishi dealer near Springfield.

If you are looking for an incredibly affordable small car with great fuel economy and standard features, you can't go wrong with a Mitsubishi Mirage or a Mirage G4. The Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is a subcompact sedan, and the Mirage is a subcompact hatch. In 2023, Money.com gave the Mirage its prestigious "Best Value for a Compact Car" award. For this award, Money looked at factors like driver assist features, reliability, and overall cost-to-ownerships. The Mirage G4 also took home an award from Vincentric for the tremendous value it offers for its low cost in 2021 (and that wasn't its first time snagging the award).

If you're looking for a Mitsubishi dealer near Springfield that carries these terrific vehicles and understands their respective perks well, visit us. We know that, at first glance, it can be hard to know the major differences between the vehicles. Many shoppers even ask us, "Why do the two exist? Are they not the same?" We understand why this misconception occurs. The Mirage and Mirage G4 have distinct personalities and will appeal to slightly different drivers. Let's take a look at their differences.

Fuel Economy

If you look at the big picture, both of these vehicles boast outstanding fuel economy figures. You will not be disappointed by either one when it comes to how infrequently you have to fill up. If you're looking to save serious money on gas, you'll be pleased with either one. However, if you're a stickler for details, the fuel figures for these models are not identical.

The Mirage gets a slightly better fuel economy than the Mirage G4. The Mirage sees a combined fuel economy of 39 MPG while getting 36 MPG in the city and 43 MPG on the highway. Meanwhile, the Mirage G4 sees a combined fuel economy of 37 MPG and 35 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway. So you get two more miles per gallon combined in the Mirage, one more mile per gallon in the city, and two more miles per gallon on the freeway. If you commute long distances daily, you might find yourself at the pump a bit more in the Mirage G4 than the Mirage. Interestingly enough, the two share the same powertrain. So, it isn't an engine difference contributing to this discrepancy.

The black dash in a 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage is shown.

Interior and Exterior Dimensions

When you start looking at the specs of these two models, you do notice some major differences. The Mirage is significantly smaller than the Mirage G4. It has an overall length of 151.4 inches, compared to the 169.5 inches of the G4. The Mirage's wheelbase sits at 96.5 inches, and the G4's is at 100.4 inches. So, how will you experience these differences as a driver? We already know the Mirage's smaller dimensions give it a better fuel economy. However, they also mean the Mirage is easier to park in tight spots and to get down narrow roads. It also has a smaller turning radius of 15.10 ft compared to the 15.75 ft of the G4. So you can take tight turns with ease in the Mirage.

The interior dimensions are where things get interesting. Things aren't as straightforward as you'd expect. The Mirage does have less passenger volume than the G4, as one might anticipate due to its smaller dimensions. Overall, the Mirage has 86.2 cu.ft. of passenger volume and the G4 has 89.2 cu.ft. of passenger volume. However, the Mirage gets far more cargo space thanks to its hatch trunk design. In the Mirage, you can get 17.1 cu.ft. of cargo volume with the rear seats up; in the G4, that number drops to 12.4. That's a pretty major drop of more than four cubic feet. Also, the shape of the two trunks makes it naturally easier to get tall items into the Mirage compared to the G4.

Our takeaway is if you spend a lot of time in congested city streets, you might be better off in the Mirage. You'll have more options in terms of parking and could feel like you have better command over your vehicle in crowded areas. And, if you need to transport a good deal of cargo, the Mirage, with its large hatchback design, is the way to go. However, if your focus is on passenger comfort, you might want to opt for the G4. With much more passenger volume than the Mirage, it should keep rear-seat passengers content on long drives.

Appearance

How something looks to us is subjective. However, many would agree that the G4 has a more traditional and sophisticated look compared to the Mirage, which looks more practical and youthful. The Mirage has its stout rear and squared-off rear windows; the G4 has an elongated and elegant profile. The G4 could be right for a corporate professional or someone who spends time in cosmopolitan environments. The Mirage could be great for families or adventurous commuters.

A white 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage is parked near colorful balls.

Price

The price difference between these two models is about as impactful as the fuel economy difference (aka — not much). Still, it's worth noting that the G4 has a starting MSRP of $1,100 more than that of the Mirage. The Mirage G4 starts at $17,795, and the Mirage starts at $16,695. The Mirage G4 is simply more car than the Mirage, so the price difference is justified. At the end of the day, these are both very reasonably-priced vehicles, though. Mitsubishi continues its legacy of delivering well-designed, fun-to-drive, and tech-forward vehicles at nearly unmatched prices with the 2024 Mirage and Mirage G4.

In fact, with the average price range of a 2024 subcompact sedan at $17,875 to $35,045, both models have an MSRP below the bottom of that range. Still, that $1,100 price difference is nothing to overlook. You could do a lot with $1,100, like put it in savings or create an emergency fund for car repairs and maintenance. So, if you're going to jump up to the G4, make sure it's right for you.

Let Us Help You Find the Right Mirage Model for Your Needs

Once you get to know these vehicles, it's clear that there is no "winner." They're just made for different drivers with different needs. The Mirage is good for those wanting super easy-to-park dimensions and a large trunk; the G4 is great for those wanting a sophisticated aesthetic and more passenger volume. If you still have questions about which one is right for you, we'd love to answer them for you. We carry all of the dynamic trims for both vehicles and have a knowledgeable team that's ready to walk you through all of their features. We're rolling more 2024 Mitsubishi models onto our lot daily and are excited to show drivers why this brand has won so many awards.

Our team will work tirelessly until you've found the model that's right for you. Then, our finance team is ready to help you pick out a lease or loan package that fits your budget. They'll craft the perfect payment package for your financial goals. We cannot wait to show off the 2024 Mitsubishi lineup, including the Mirage and Mirage G4, to customers. Come test drive one of these fun and affordable cars today.