2018 Mitsubishi Mirage — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Sedan

2018 Mitsubishi Mirage

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $14,382–$18,204
Fuel Economy 33 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $1,591/yr
The 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage scores 6.5/10 at Carivo, ranking #1275 of 1310 sedans, with 1 NHTSA recall on record and an estimated $1,591/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage

Engine1.2L 3-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypeRegular
City / Hwy MPG37 / 43 MPG
Combined MPG39 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$1,550
CO₂ Emissions225 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$14,382–$18,204

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage

The 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 6.5/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.1/10, while Performance at 4.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.6/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.3/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Performance at 4.4/10 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 5.7/10 — 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 $14,382–$18,204, 33 MPG, seating 5, the Mitsubishi Mirage sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.1/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: The 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and technology and performance scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders 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 →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage ranks #1275 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 3% of the segment. Its 6.5/10 overall score is 1 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $14,382 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 48%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$7,955 ($1,591/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Mirage Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage scores 6.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 6.5 — and starts roughly $1,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2025 6.8/10$18,066 Read review →
2024 6.8/10$17,540 Read review →
2023 6.7/10$17,013 Read review →
2022 6.5/10$16,487 Read review →
2021 6.6/10$15,961 Read review →
2020 6.6/10$15,435 Read review →
2019 6.5/10$14,909 Read review →
2018 (this review) 6.5/10$14,382
2017 6.4/10$13,856 Read review →
2016 6.4/10$13,330 Read review →
2015 6.2/10$12,804 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage

✓ What it does well

  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Strong fuel economy at 33 MPG, keeping running costs low
  • Accessible entry price makes it one of the more affordable options in the category

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Infotainment and tech features feel dated compared to newer rivals in this segment

NHTSA Recalls — 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage (1 on record)

The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Air bags
30/10/2017 · 17V686000
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mirage vehicles. The internal acceleration sensor in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can misinterpret vibrations such as those from poor road…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage

Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage reliable?

We rate the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage's reliability 6.6/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage have?

1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage worth buying?

It scores 6.5/10 overall, ranking #1275 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 3% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage cost?

The 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage starts at $14,382 and ranges up to $18,204 across trims (MSRP when new). At 33 MPG, expect roughly $1,591/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Mirage years should you avoid?

Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Mirage years we've rated are 2015 (6.2/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (6.8/10). See the full year table above before deciding.

What problems does the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage have?

The documented issues for the 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Air bags (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Mitsubishi Mirage

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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More Mitsubishi Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Mitsubishi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.