Compare the2024 Subaru ImprezaVS 2024 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
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Impreza have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Mitsubishi Mirage doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 Impreza 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.

The Impreza has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Mirage doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Impreza has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Mirage doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Impreza (except Base)’s optional 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. 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 Impreza (except Base)’s optional Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Mirage doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Impreza Sport/RS has standard STARLINK Connected Services, 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 Impreza and the Mirage have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes and rearview cameras.

The Subaru Impreza weighs 973 to 1228 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.

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 Subaru Impreza is safer than the Mirage Hatchback:

	Impreza	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	.3/.1 kN	4.9/1.8 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	3%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Tibia index R/L	.61/.29	1.87/.8
Tibia forces R/L	1.9/.9 kN	4.2/1.8 kN

The Subaru Impreza achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Mirage is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

The Impreza’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Mirage’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are almost 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Impreza’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Impreza has a standard 130-amp alternator. The Mirage’s 85-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Impreza’s reliability 19 points higher than the Mirage.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

Engine

The Impreza’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 76 more horsepower (152 vs. 76) and 71 lbs.-ft. more torque (145 vs. 74) than the Mirage’s 1.2 DOHC 3-cylinder. The Impreza RS’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 106 more horsepower (182 vs. 76) and 104 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 74) than the Mirage’s 1.2 DOHC 3-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Impreza RS 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder is faster than the Mitsubishi Mirage:

	Impreza	Mirage
Zero to 60 MPH	7.8 sec	10.9 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.6 sec	11 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	18.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89 MPH	75 MPH
Top Speed	125 MPH	102 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Impreza lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Mirage doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Impreza’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 Impreza has 7.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mirage (16.6 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 Subaru Impreza higher (7 out of 10) than the Mitsubishi Mirage (5). This means the Impreza produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Mirage every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Impreza	Impreza Sport/RS	Mirage
Front Rotors	11.6 inches	12.4 inches	9 inches
Rear Rotors	11.2 inches	11.2 inches	7” drums

The Subaru Impreza 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 Impreza stops shorter than the Mirage:

	Impreza	Mirage
70 to 0 MPH	177 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Impreza has larger standard tires than the Mirage (205/55R16 vs. 165/65R14). The Impreza Sport/RS’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mirage (225/40R18 vs. 175/55R15).

The Impreza’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 Impreza Sport/RS’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Mirage Black Edition/SE/G4 LE’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Impreza has standard 16-inch wheels. Smaller 14-inch wheels are standard on the Mirage. The Impreza Sport/RS’ 18-inch wheels are larger than the 15-inch wheels on the Mirage Black Edition/SE/G4 LE.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Impreza’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the Mirage G4 (105.1 inches vs. 100.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Impreza is 4 inches wider in the front and 4.8 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 Impreza a Large car, while the Mirage G4 is rated a Compact.

The Impreza has 11.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Mirage G4 (100.5 vs. 89.2).

The Impreza has .9 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, 6.3 inches more front hip room, 5.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 6.5 inches more rear hip room and 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mirage G4.

Cargo Capacity

The Impreza has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the Mirage G4 (20.4 vs. 12.4 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Impreza’s hatch uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Mirage’s useful trunk space (except wagon).

The Impreza’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.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Impreza is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Mirage. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The engine computer on the Impreza Sport/Limited 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 Impreza 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 Impreza’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch. 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 Impreza’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Mirage’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Mirage’s standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Impreza’s standard doors lock when a certain speed is reached. 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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Impreza has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Mirage only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Impreza’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Mirage’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Impreza 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 LE/SE/Black Edition.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Impreza has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Mirage doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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

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

The Impreza’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 Impreza’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Mirage offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Impreza’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 Impreza has a standard Adaptive 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 quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Subaru Impreza offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Mirage doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Impreza, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Impreza outsold the Mitsubishi Mirage by almost three to one during 2023.

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