Compare the2023 Hyundai Elantra HybridVS 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid Limited has standard Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Mirage doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Elantra Hybrid’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 Hybrid’s standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Mirage doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Elantra Hybrid’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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid weighs 771 to 974 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 Hybrid is safer than the Mitsubishi Mirage:

	Elantra Hybrid	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 Hybrid Sedan is safer than the Mirage Hatchback:

	Elantra Hybrid	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 Hybrid is safer than the Mitsubishi Mirage:

	Elantra Hybrid	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 Hybrid the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 174 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Mirage is not a “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

The Elantra Hybrid’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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 63 more horsepower (139 vs. 76) and 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 74) than the Mirage’s 1.2 DOHC 3-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Elantra Hybrid gets better mileage than the Mirage G4:

		MPG
Elantra Hybrid
	Blue 1.6 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/56 hwy
	Limited 1.6 4-cyl. Hybrid	49 city/52 hwy
Mirage G4
	1.2 DOHC 3-cyl.	35 city/41 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Elantra Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Mirage doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Elantra Hybrid’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. The Mirage doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Elantra Hybrid has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mirage (11 vs. 9.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Mitsubishi Mirage (5). This means the Elantra Hybrid produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Mirage every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

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

The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid 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.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Elantra Hybrid has larger standard tires than the Mirage (205/55R16 vs. 165/65R14). The Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mirage (225/45R17 vs. 175/55R15).

The Elantra Hybrid Blue Sedan’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mirage’s standard 65 series tires. The Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Mirage’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Elantra Hybrid Blue Sedan has standard 16-inch wheels. Smaller 14-inch wheels are standard on the Mirage. The Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan’s optional 17-inch wheels are larger than the 15-inch wheels optional on the Mirage.

The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid’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

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mitsubishi Mirage has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

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

The Elantra Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Elantra Hybrid flat and controlled during cornering. The Mirage’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Elantra Hybrid 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 Hybrid’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 Hybrid is 5.7 inches wider in the front and 6.9 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 Hybrid a Mid-size car, while the Mirage G4 is rated a Compact.

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

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

The Elantra Hybrid’s standard 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 Hybrid’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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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.

When two different drivers share the Elantra Hybrid Limited, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Mirage doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Elantra Hybrid Limited’s standard Seat Easy Access glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Mirage doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Elantra Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Mirage has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the Elantra Hybrid and the Mirage have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Elantra Hybrid 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 Hybrid’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 Hybrid’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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid has standard extendable sun visors. The Mirage doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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

The Elantra Hybrid’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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Elantra Hybrid Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Mirage doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Elantra Hybrid’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 Hybrid Limited has a standard 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 standard on the Elantra Hybrid Limited. The Elantra Hybrid’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 Hybrid Limited has a standard 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 Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Elantra Hybrid will cost $840 to $5810 less than the Mirage over a five-year period.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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.

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