Mirage

Despite its name, the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage is no optical illusion. It's real, and it's among the last subcompact hatchbacks still available (we review the Mirage's sedan counterpart, the Mirage G4, separately). With a starting price of less than $20,000, the Mirage is also one of the cheapest new cars sold today, and even in base form Mitsubishi's budget-friendly hatch includes a lengthy list of standard tech and convenience features, including automatic climate control, a forward collision warning system with automatic braking, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. That said, the Mirage is a rather disappointing vehicle: it's slow, not especially comfortable, and its interior feels chintzier than a watch from TK Jewelers. Much as a mirage taunts the dehydrated desert wanderer, the Mirage teases consumers in search of a reasonably well-equipped new vehicle on a budget. Unfortunately, it's like discovering that the desert oasis out in the distance is indeed mere heat waves; the Mirage looks like a great deal from afar but its value quickly vaporizes upon closer inspection.