Compare the2022 Mitsubishi MirageVS 2021 Volkswagen Golf

The Mitsubishi Mirage has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Golf doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Mirage SE’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Golf doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

Both the Mirage and the Golf have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes and rearview cameras.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Mirage is safer than the Volkswagen Golf:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Mitsubishi Mirage is safer than the Volkswagen Golf:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Mirage comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Golf’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Mirage 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Golf. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Golf ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 69 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 13th in reliability, above the industry average. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mitsubishi 4 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Mirage offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Golf doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the Mirage Hatchback’s turning circle is 5.6 feet tighter than the Golf’s (30.2 feet vs. 35.8 feet). The Mirage G4’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the Golf’s (31.5 feet vs. 35.8 feet).

The Mitsubishi Mirage may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 900 pounds less than the Volkswagen Golf.

The Mirage is 5.1 inches narrower on average than the Golf, making the Mirage easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The design of the Mitsubishi Mirage amounts to more than styling. The Mirage has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .27 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Golf (.32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Mirage get better fuel mileage.

The Mirage G4 has .5 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom and 1.7 inches more rear legroom than the Golf.

The Mirage has a larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the Golf with its rear seat folded (47 vs. 25 cubic feet).

The Mirage CVT offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The Golf doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Mirage SE detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Golf doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The Mirage’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Golf doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

The Mitsubishi Mirage comes in sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Volkswagen Golf isn’t available as a station wagon.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mirage is less expensive to operate than the Golf because it costs $482 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Mirage than the Golf, including $7 less for a water pump, $48 less for a muffler, $199 less for a starter, $252 less for a fuel pump, $195 less for front struts and $97 less for a timing belt/chain.

The Mitsubishi Mirage outsold the Volkswagen Golf/GTI by 77% during the 2021 model year.