Mitsubishi Mirage G4 GLS: Good, but…

Thirteen years, when put as a measurement in most contexts, is usually described as a long period of time. Somebody born thirteen years ago in 2013 can be expected to be in the midst of their high school journey today. Also in 2013, Sony released the PlayStation 4, Pope Francis had just been elected into the papacy, and Anna had just started asking Elsa about building snowmen.

In that same year, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) launched the Mirage G4 into the Philippine market, one year after the Mirage hatchback saw its introduction. Since then, Sony has replaced the PlayStation 4 with the PlayStation 5, and Pope Leo XIV has likewise succeeded Pope Francis as the head of the Catholic Church.

The list goes on. The Mirage G4, however, continues to soldier on to this day as one of Mitsubishi’s most affordable models in their lineup. We take the keys to the top-of-the-line GLS variant to find out if the past 13 years have treated the Mirage G4 nicely, or otherwise. 

The Mirage G4 has been updated several times over the years, the latest of which has been for the 2025 model year. It’s still easily and undoubtedly recognizable as the same sedan that Filipinos have now become quite familiar with, but Mitsubishi has added some new changes that make the Mirage G4 safer and more stylish to the prospective buyer. 

Off the bat, new are the LED projector headlights up front paired with LED DRLs that have a fairly nice output when darkness falls. This is a noticeable step up from the long-available halogen reflector setup, and even the short-lived HID projector system found on the hatchback version a few years back.

These sharp-looking headlights flank the now-standard Dynamic Shield front fascia, shared with other Mitsubishis. Two-tone diamond cut 15-inch alloy wheels are also now standard on all grades, giving a pop of contrast to the otherwise familiar side profile of the subcompact sedan. Around back, LED taillights complete the look of the 2026 Mirage G4.

Hop inside, and immediately nostalgia comes to mind. The interior is largely the same as it was launched over a decade ago, save for some key updates brought in for the 2022 refresh. The seven-inch infotainment system is still here, with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. It connects to a backup camera as well as four speakers with reasonable quality. Switches and buttons in the cabin are ergonomically placed, with a positive feel to them when used.

The generous use of piano black accents across the interior may look nice on the showroom floor, but even with mild usage, these panels easily accumulate fine scratches that age the look of the cabin quickly. Leather of the hard-wearing kind can be found wrapping the steering wheel, along with the shift knob, giving a fairly nice touch to the otherwise hard-plastic-laden interior. The lack of a dedicated central door lock switch on the driver’s door clearly tells what era the Mirage G4 is from. 

Automatic climate control is standard, but faced with the worst of our tropical summer heat, the air conditioning of the Mirage G4 is easily overwhelmed. It struggles to ward off the noontime heat even on full blast, and the Mirage G4 benefits greatly from airflow through the condenser up front to help relieve the seemingly heat-soak-prone system.

A quality set of window tint, such as Ceramax Nano Ceramic Films, may be a practical upgrade to the Mirage G4 to avoid getting slow roasted by the sun, especially when crawling in traffic, as the aircon can occasionally feel hilaw under these conditions. No snowmen being built here, that’s for sure.

The seats are wrapped in fabric — no leather seats here, unfortunately, but the bolsters and lumbar support up front are well shaped and will support you well over longer drives. The driver’s seating position is laughably too high, even in its lowest position. Drivers over 5’9” or thereabouts will struggle to see traffic lights without crouching down in the Mirage G4. 

Move to the back, and there’s a decent amount of headroom and legroom for two people, though a third passenger may start to push it, especially for longer trips. Commuters who often rely on ride-hailing services will be very familiar with this space. This is still on the smaller end of the subcompact sedan market, and while Mitsubishi has done a good job maximizing interior space, there is still only so much to be found inside.

Underneath the hood, you will find the tried and tested 3A92 engine, a 1.2-liter three-cylinder motor that puts out 78 horsepower and 100Nm of torque. It’s no pocket rocket given the humble power figures, but with the light weight of the Mirage G4, getting up to speed in the city doesn’t take a lot of effort. Acceleration from a standstill is sprightly, especially when driven alone, and zipping about town is easy. The CVT paired to the engine is responsive and is eager to go up the rev range should you need more power. 

Fuel economy is one of the strongest points of the Mirage G4, as it sips fuel conservatively even in Manila’s worst traffic jams. Out on the highway, however, it becomes a game of strategy should you be overtaking slower-moving vehicles, as it takes a while longer to build up speed on open roads. This is further amplified if you have friends or family on board, plus some luggage for the weekend. Still, with the stellar fuel economy in mind, the Mirage G4 can be taken out of the city on longer road trips with peace of mind.

Driving the 2026 Mirage G4 is a cinch, given its diminutive size. Handling is predictable, provided that you don’t treat it like a Lancer Evolution (like some owners aesthetically do). New to this refresh is a more contemporary set of safety features, namely Active Stability Control (ASC) with Hill Start Assist (HAS), giving an additional layer of peace of mind.

Steering is electrically assisted, and the weight provides surprisingly good feedback and stability at speed, with the resistance akin to a hydraulically assisted setup. I can only wish that the power steering boosted up its assistance a bit more on slower speeds, as it feels heavy to maneuver around parking spots, especially when contrasted to its very easy-to-squeeze dimensions. 

Ride quality is acceptable, but nothing to write home about. It leans on the softer side and will literally lean if pushed around a corner too hard. Smaller road imperfections are reasonably dealt with, given the small 15-inch rolling stock—with only a tolerable amount of vibrations being transmitted inside. It’s still a budget sedan through and through, and the age of the engineering for the Mirage G4 starts to peep more here.  NVH insulation is likewise decent, but not great, as the innate imbalance of a three-cylinder engine means there’s a greater amount of vibrations felt inside the car versus a smoother four-cylinder powerplant. Road noise is present, albeit not intrusive, and ultimately, driving the Mirage G4 extensively will not wear you out. 

Now, who is the Mirage G4 for? If you’re someone looking to get a first car for yourself, or for your kid going to college for not much, the Mirage G4 will definitely pop up on your radar. This review so far has a pattern of recognized praise, but with a near-consistent accompanying catch. 

At its asking price of Php 937,000 for the top-of-the-line GLS variant at the time of writing, it’s a bit of an ask. The age clearly shows here, and the competition has clearly caught up, even with electrified offerings from some brands at this price level.

The lower grade GLX can still be had with a CVT for a more palatable Php 841,000 price tag, and it makes much more sense then. Sure, it loses out on some niceties that are exclusive to the GLS grade, such as a push start system and automatic climate control, but the best of the Mirage G4 is still kept. 

Regardless of what grade you pick, it’s an effective city slicker with a very commendable fuel economy, easy-to-deal-with size, and reliability that has proven itself time and again over its 13 years of being sold. Its no-frills approach to everyday motoring is definitely noteworthy, and is still deserving of a spot on your shortlist.

Competition has never been tougher, and powertrain options have never been more diverse — but for those who prefer simplicity over pizzazz, and reliability over novelty, the Mirage G4 continues to somehow make a case for itself until today.

Mitsubishi Mirage G4 GLS CVT | Key Information

Engine	1.2-liter, three-cylinder Gasoline Engine
Output	78 horsepower, 100Nm
Transmission	Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Drivetrain	FWD
Seating Capacity	5 (including driver)
Price	Php 937,000 (as of June 2026)
Pros	The frugal 1.2 liter engine sips on gas, and paired with its small size, it makes for a very economical city car.
Cons	Age is not on its side, with a dated interior and refinement that is typical of cars from yesteryear. Price has definitely also gone up in the midst of a cutthroat segment.

^{Photos by Sam Surla}