Mitsubishi Scraps 2016 Mirage; Updated Model Coming in 2017

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage (Credit: © Mitsubishi)

With the 2016 model year in full swing, Mitsubishi is arriving a little late to the party with the unveiling of its plans for the new year. While most of the 2016 changes were expected and quite uninspiring, one change for Mitsu garnered a little interest. There will be no Mirage in the 2016 model year.

So, does this mean that Mitsu has decided to part ways with the wallet friendly roller skate? Sadly no… Instead, according to a report from Car and Driver, the late-1990s Hyundai Accent lookalike known as the Mirage will take a one-year hiatus and return with mild updates in 2016 as an early-2017 model.

The report claims that Mitsubishi will redo the hatchback’s chassis and update its powertrain, two of many areas that sorely need redone. In addition to this, C&D is also claiming that the 2017 model year will bring about the introduction of the Mirage Sedan. Yeah, just what we need, more Mirages on the roads… great.

The tiny three-box Mirage has been available in other markets for a while, but this will be the first time since the 2002 model year that we’ll see a new Mirage with a trunk lid in the U.S.

Fortunately for Mitsubishi, there are plenty of 2015 Mirages let in stock, so this temporary delay shouldn’t impact sales at all. The extra inventory isn’t due to a huge uptick in production either. Instead, this is due to low sales that have crested 2,000 units in only three months since it hit dealer lots in September 2013.

With that said, I am certain that a revamped drivetrain, an updated chassis, and a sedan version will make it a top seller in its class. I mean, it’s not like the Mirage is ugly, outdated, or built with low-quality material. Nah, it couldn’t possibly have anything to do with that.