Compare the2023 Mitsubishi MirageVS 2023 Kia Rio

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 Rio doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Mirage and the Rio 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, rearview cameras, available daytime running lights and lane departure warning systems.

The Mirage’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Rio’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

On the EPA test cycle the Mirage G4 gets better fuel mileage than the Rio (35 city/41 hwy vs. 32 city/41 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Mirage Hatchback gets better fuel mileage than the Rio (36 city/43 hwy vs. 32 city/41 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mitsubishi Mirage higher (5 out of 10) than the Kia Rio (3). This means the Mirage produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Rio every 15,000 miles.

The Mirage’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rio’s 65 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Mirage Hatchback’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Rio’s (30.2 feet vs. 33.5 feet). The Mirage G4’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Rio’s (31.5 feet vs. 33.5 feet).

The Mitsubishi Mirage may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 650 pounds less than the Kia Rio.

The Mirage is shorter than the Rio, making the Mirage easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Mirage Hatchback a Compact car, while the Rio 5-Door is rated a Small Station Wagon.

The Mirage Hatchback has .1 inches more front headroom and .7 inches more rear legroom than the Rio 5-Door.

The Mirage Hatchback has a larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the Rio 5-Door with its rear seat folded (47 vs. 32.8 cubic feet).

The Mirage’s driver’s power window opens or closes with one touch of the window control, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths. The Rio’s power windows’ switch has to be held the entire time to close it fully.

FAST-Key standard on the Mirage SE allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Kia Rio’s available Smart Key doesn’t unlock the trunk.

The Mirage SE/Black Edition’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Rio’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Mirage SE has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Rio.

The Mirage G4 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Rio doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

With standard voice command, the Mirage offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Rio doesn’t offer a voice control system.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mirage is less expensive to operate than the Rio because it costs $164 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Mirage than the Rio, including $8 less for a muffler and $215 less for a fuel pump.