Compare the2023 Hyundai ElantraVS 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Elantra are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Mirage doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Elantra Limited has standard Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Mirage doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Elantra’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The Mirage doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Elantra’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Mirage doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Elantra’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Mirage doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Elantra SEL/Limited has a standard Blue Link, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Mirage doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Elantra and the Mirage 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, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The Hyundai Elantra weighs 531 to 773 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Mirage. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

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

	Elantra	Mirage
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	142	362
Neck Injury Risk	21%	40%
Neck Stress	268 lbs.	435 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	68 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	66/48 lbs.	291/454 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	42%	43%
Neck Stress	177 lbs.	204 lbs.
Neck Compression	6 lbs.	203 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	135/61 lbs.	297/155 lbs.

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

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Hyundai Elantra is safer than the Mirage Hatchback:

	Elantra	Mirage
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	MARGINAL
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	1.4/.1 kN	4.9/1.8 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	3%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Tibia index R/L	.62/.45	1.87/.8

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Elantra is safer than the Mitsubishi Mirage:

	Elantra	Mirage
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	83	147
Hip Force	327 lbs.	663 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	345	628
Spine Acceleration	68 G’s	74 G’s
Hip Force	355 lbs.	715 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	2 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	12 inches
HIC	184	267
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	52 G’s
Hip Force	954 lbs.	1200 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Elantra the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 175 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Mirage is not a “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

The Elantra’s 7 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Mirage runs out after 100,000 miles.

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Elantra for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Mirage.

There are almost 3 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Elantra’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Elantra has a standard 150-amp alternator (120-amp - Elantra SEL/Limited). The Mirage’s 85-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. With 41 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Hyundai higher than Mitsubishi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 14th.

Engine

The Elantra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 71 more horsepower (147 vs. 76) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (132 vs. 74) than the Mirage’s 1.2 DOHC 3-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Hyundai Elantra is faster than the Mitsubishi Mirage:

	Elantra	Mirage
Zero to 60 MPH	8.1 sec	10.9 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.5 sec	11 sec
Quarter Mile	16.3 sec	18.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88 MPH	75 MPH
Top Speed	124 MPH	102 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Elantra SE’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Mirage doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Elantra has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mirage (12.4 vs. 9.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Elantra’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Mirage:

	Elantra	Mirage
Front Rotors	11 inches	9 inches
Rear Rotors	10.3 inches	7” drums

The Hyundai Elantra has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the Mirage. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Elantra stops shorter than the Mirage:

	Elantra	Mirage
70 to 0 MPH	175 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Elantra has larger standard tires than the Mirage (195/65R15 vs. 165/65R14). The Elantra’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mirage (225/45R17 vs. 175/55R15).

The Elantra’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mirage’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Elantra SE has standard 15-inch wheels. Smaller 14-inch wheels are standard on the Mirage. The Elantra’s optional 17-inch wheels are larger than the 15-inch wheels optional on the Mirage.

The Hyundai Elantra’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mitsubishi Mirage only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

The Elantra has standard rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Mirage’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Elantra has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Mirage doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Elantra’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the Mirage G4 (107.1 inches vs. 100.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Elantra is 5.8 inches wider in the front and 6.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Mirage.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Elantra a Mid-size car, while the Mirage G4 is rated a Compact.

The Elantra has 10.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mirage G4 (99.4 vs. 89.2).

The Elantra has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom, 4.6 inches more front hip room, 4.8 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom, 3.8 inches more rear hip room and 4.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mirage G4.

Cargo Capacity

The Elantra has a much larger trunk than the Mirage G4 (14.2 vs. 12.4 cubic feet).

The Elantra’s available rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Mirage G4 doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Elantra SEL/Limited’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Mirage doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

The engine computer on the Elantra automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The Mirage’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Elantra has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Mirage doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The power windows standard on both the Elantra and the Mirage have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Elantra is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Mirage prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Mirage’s standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Elantra’s standard doors lock when the transmission is engaged. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

In addition to a parabolic reflector, optical-grade lenses in the Elantra’s standard projector headlights precisely focus the beam, providing more even illumination of the road for better visibility and a sharp cut-off that prevents blinding oncoming drivers. The sharp cutoff allows the use of a stronger light. The Mirage’s standard uses a simple reflector to direct its standard headlights. The Elantra Limited’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Mirage’s xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

The Elantra has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Mirage has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the SE/Black Edition.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Elantra SEL/Limited has standard extendable sun visors. The Mirage doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Elantra’s available outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The Mirage doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Elantra’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Mirage’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Elantra SEL/Limited’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Mirage doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Elantra (except SE) offers an optional Smart Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Mirage doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is available on the Elantra (except SE). The Elantra’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Mirage doesn’t offer a navigation system.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Elantra (except SE) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Mirage doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Elantra owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Elantra will cost $615 to $5675 less than the Mirage over a five-year period.

The Elantra will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Elantra will retain 47.7% to 49.37% of its original price after five years, while the Mirage only retains 38.46% to 47.16%.

Recommendations

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Elantra as the 2021 North American Car of the Year. The Mirage has never been chosen.

The Hyundai Elantra outsold the Mitsubishi Mirage by over seven to one during 2022.