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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Transmission | Automatic (A1) |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Electricity |
| City / Hwy MPG | 126 / 99 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 112 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $700 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $16,960–$22,790 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a ev that earns a Carivo score of 6.1/10 — rated Fair. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.1/10, while Performance at 4.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. Buyers should review the score breakdown carefully and consider higher-rated alternatives before committing.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.4/10 for reliability, this ev trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.1/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 4.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 5.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $16,960–$22,790, 112 MPG, seating 4, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV sits in the budget-friendly tier of the ev market. The value score of 6.4/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Based on our scoring, the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV underperforms its segment peers across multiple dimensions. Unless there's a specific reason it fits your situation — price, a particular trim's features, or availability — there are better-scored alternatives at similar price points worth considering first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV ranks #267 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 1% of the segment. Its 6.1/10 overall score is 1.5 points below the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $16,960 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 68%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking → · Best EVs under $25k →
Across the i-MiEV model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 6.2/10 | $18,550 | Read review → |
| 2013 | 6.0/10 | $17,755 | Read review → |
| 2012 (this review) | 6.1/10 | $16,960 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Power assist / Vacuum 08/11/2019 · 19V804000 | Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2012-2017 i-MiEV vehicles. Water may penetrate the brake assist vacuum pump, causing corrosion and a failure of the brake vacuum pump. |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 10/01/2017 · 17V022000 | Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2012 and 2014 i-MiEV vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or… |
| Air bags 23/09/2015 · 15V594000 | Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage vehicles manufactured July 27, 2013, to November 20, 2013, and 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles manufactured October 28, 2011, to September 7, 2012.… |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Power assist / Vacuum 02/09/2014 · 14V522000 | Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 i-MiEV electric vehicles manufactured September 15, 2009, to March 25, 2014. Due to either software programming or corrosion caused by road salt, the brake vacuum… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Sensor/control module-inactive 01/08/2012 · 12V372000 | Mitsubishi is recalling certain model year 2012 i-MiEV vehicles manufactured between November 4, 2011, and December 22, 2011. Incompatibility between the air bag sensors and the self-diagnostic software may deactivate the frontal and side airbag system.… |
Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV's reliability 6.4/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
6 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 6.1/10 overall, ranking #267 of 268 evs in our database (better than 1% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV starts at $16,960 and ranges up to $22,790 across trims (MSRP when new). At 112 MPG, expect roughly $469/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other evs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Mitsubishi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
