Mitsubishi Mirage News

The inevitable march towards a high-riding automotive future continued in August, as buyers continue to turn away from traditional passenger cars in favour of SUVS and utes.

Buyers on a budget will soon be spoiled for choice.

Micro cars may be on the nose in Australia but no one seems to have told the makers.

Tasty transactions are hard to find. Enhance your negotiating skills with CarsGuide's review of the best buys at these drive-away prices.

Buying on a budget will be the big winners of a small-car price war that's just around the corner.

It costs $443.60 a week to keep the 5.6-litre Nissan Patrol ST-L on the road for five years, including its $90,000 purchase price, loan interest, fuel, new tyres, insurance and depreciation.According to the 2015 RACV's Driving Your Dollars study, the cheapest car to own is the Suzuki Celerio. With a drive-away price of $12,990, its weekly running costs total $97.65 over five years.Record low interest rates and falling fuel prices have made owning and driving a car more affordable in the past year, says the RACV. Its survey examined 111 popular vehicles across 13 categories, taking into account all expenses associated with ownership.RELATED: Australia's cheapest cars to own and run in 2014 This year's survey found the overall average cost of owning a car was $211.25 a week or 73.2c a kilometre - slightly down on the 2014 cost.The RACV's manager of vehicle engineering, Michael Case, yesterday advised car buyers to look beyond just the purchase price when shopping for a new car."Always be aware of the hidden costs - depreciation is the biggest single cost in owning a car, even if you don't see it until it's time to sell," Mr Case said.The survey also found that servicing costs have increased."It is important to know how much it costs to have your car serviced, to fill the tank, replace tyres, pay insurance, rego, stamp duty, spare parts and RACV membership," Mr Case said."Before you hit the showroom, do your homework... Ask yourself: 'Am I buying the car I want or the car I need?'."Nissan Patrol owner Ryan Mullins, from Bentleigh East, said he was happy with the costs he had to bear."I've never had a problem with my Nissan Patrol and the RACV survey wouldn't put me off from buying a new one," Mr Mullins said.Among the electric and hybrid cars, the Toyota Prius C had the lowest operating cost at $152.60 per week.RACV calculations were based on private ownership of a vehicle for five years, driving an average of 15,000km a year.For more complete information on the winners in each class, visit the RACV’s results here.

Sausages are sizzling, the hessian fences are up and those weird inflatable statues are flapping in the breeze: it's clearance sale time at new-car yards across Australia.

The small-car segment has plenty of options - the players are frugal yet safe and well-appointed. Here are the best buys under $16K.

Updated Mirage hatch range promises greater refinement and value. For 2015 the Mitsubishi Mirage light hatchback range will offer improved passenger comfort and standard equipment levels while becoming more affordable than before. There will be just two trim levels for the updated model – ES and LS - with the mid-spec Sport variant dropped from the local range. Now priced from $11,490 in ES trim with a manual transmission, the 2015 model is $1500 less expensive than the outgoing entry-level Mirage. The updated Mirage ES gains an all-black interior design, emergency hazard light activation under heavy braking, a cargo space light and a smaller roof antenna over the current model. This is on top of the already standard 14-inch wheels, air-conditioning, Bluetooth phone and audio, AM/FM CD player with USB and AUX input, power windows and power door mirrors. The $12,990 LS model gains cruise control and privacy glass for 2015 on top of climate control air-con, 15-inch alloys, front fog lamps, rear spoiler and 4-speaker audio system. Both models come standard with a 5-speed manual transmission while a CVT automatic is available as a $2,000 option across both trim levels. The Mirage hatch is powered by a 59kW/100Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine capable of using 4.6L/100km combined. The 2015 Mirage hatch range has also been treated to the same NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) package as the sedan launched earlier this year. Mitsubishi claim that additional sound deadening in the floor, dashboard and A-pillars has resulted in improved cabin acoustics, while new engine mounts reduce engine noise and vibration. The Mirage range is been awarded a five star ANCAP safety rating, courtsey of six airbags, stability control and ABS brakes with EBD (electronic brake force distribution). A five-year 100,000km warranty with four years capped price servicing is also standard across all Mirage models.

Mitsubishi adds sedan bodystyle to the popular Mirage small car range.The Mitsubishi Mirage sedan has arrived in Australia priced from $14,490, boasting a five star ANCAP safety rating and generous interior dimensions. Known as the Attrage in other markets, the new model benefits from a 100mm wheelbase extension over the Mirage hatch to give an impressive 944mm of rear passenger legroom and a generous 450-litre boot. Mitsubishi claim the new sedan can comfortably seat five adults and carry their luggage.“The new Mirage sedan balances value, style and safety with low running costs, making it the ideal choice for customers looking to downsize into a smaller, more fuel-efficient car without compromising on features and space,” Mitsubishi Australia marketing boss Tony Principe said.Attention has been paid to noise, vibration and harshness levels for the sedan, and Mitsubishi claims refinement has improved over its hatchback sibling. All Mirage sedan models carry a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.9 litres/100km thanks to the frugal  57kW/100Nm 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine also seen in the hatch.A five-speed manual gearbox comes standard on the entry level Mirage ES, while the CVT automatic equipped version commands a $2,000 premium at $16,490. The Mirage ES comes with dual front, side and curtain airbags, stability and traction control, unique 15-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity with voice control, plus steering wheel phone and audio controls. The top-spec $17,490 Mirage LS sedan gains single-zone climate control, push-button start, auto headlights and wipers, and the CVT automatic gearbox as standard.