Fuel-sipping 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage making a return to U.S.

The competition in the fuel-efficient compact segment is going to get a lot more fierce as the all-new 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage returns to the North American marketplace. It’s going to give the popular Ford Fiesta and Fiat 500 a run for thier money as the new Mirage will be the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid gasoline vehicle available in America. The new stylish hatchback will get best-in-class fuel efficiency. How good will it be?

The new four-door hatch will feature a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that will get an EPA fuel economy rating of 40 mpg combined/37 mpg city/44 mpg highway when equipped with the CVT automatic transmission. It will achieve 37 mpg combined/34 mpg city/42 mpg highway with the five-speed manual transmission. Mitsubishi says the all-new Mirage “provides eager acceleration.”

Will it have enough performance for U.S. buyers?

That will be the key factor if it will have enough power to satisfy performance minded consumers here in the U.S. Buyers here love the potent turbocharged 2.0-liter precision-tuned 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution that is ready for the track.

The fuel-sipping 1.2-liter three-cylinder DOHC engine in the Mirage produces 74 bhp and 74 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is the latest version of Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) variable valve-timing system that maximizes fuel efficiency and power output while reducing emissions. The small hatchback will be great in the city as an urban commuter car.

Mirage will come in two trim lines

The new Marage will come in eight fun and eye-catching colors to choose from. The small hatch will come in Thunder Gray, Starlight Silver, Cloud White and Mystic Black, along with Mitsubishi Motors fan-selected colors Kiwi, Plasma Purple, Infrared and Sapphire Blue in the Mitsubishi Mirage Color Code program.

The Mirage DE will be an entry-level compact but comes with a long list of standard amenities. The list includes, tilt steering, automatic climate control, keyless entry, 60/40 split folding rear seat, rear spoiler and a 4 speaker 140-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 with USB/iPod input.

The upmarket Mirage ES adds sporty 14-inch aluminum alloy wheels, front fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, FAST (Free-hand Advanced Security Transmitter)-key passive entry, One-Touch Start/Stop (OSS) engine switch, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system.

Pricing and exact arrival date have not yet been announced by Mitsubishi. Look for the new 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage fuel-sipping hatchback to arrive on U.S. shores early next year.