Mitsubishi Mirage or Toyota Wigo: The better pick

Usually, when it comes to small cars, people want everything big! Don't get us wrong here. We mean that even if the car is an entry-level offering, the buyer will still want the best looks, ride, engine, fuel efficiency as well as a maximum number of features. The more of each parameter is the better in their books. It pays to see that the features and the likes come at a very nifty cost. Two such cars that we have here rule the streets of the Philippines. These are the Toyota Wigo and the Mitsubishi Mirage, both hatchbacks and for the entry-level customer. There is a bit of a price difference there but we will come to that later. First up is the question to answer. Which one is the better pick? Dig right in.

Looks

Both the cars look small and cute. However, the Toyota Wigo moves a bit away from traditional and is more of a vehicle with straight lines than curves. The face is bold and so are the headlamps as well as the fog lamp units. It also feels roomy given its slight tall boy intentions.

Mitsubishi designers haven’t gone overboard with the Mirage either. However, it is a curvier vehicle than the Wigo and looks good in the meanwhile. The projector headlights are new for this segment and provide nice illumination. The rear of the car is a tad more palatable than the Wigo’s unit.

If you check the dimensions, you realise that the Mitsubishi Mirage measures 3,710 mm x1,665 mm x 1,510 mm for the length, width and height. In the same vein, the Toyota Wigo is shorter as well as has less width than the Mitsubishi but is taller. The wheelbase for both the cars remains identical at 2,450 mm and can seat five comfortably. However, the Mitsubishi Mirage has better shoulder room.

We prefer the older Mitsubishi styling compared to the fresher Wigo. However, it is a subjective matter and many youngsters may even prefer the Toyota’s bold design flair.

Features

Cabin wise, the Mitsubishi has an airy feel. Both the cars offer airconditioning, fabric upholstery, touchscreen infotainment system which use 2-DIN, height adjustable driver’s seat, internally adjusting as well as folding outside rear view mirrors, electronic power steering, and power windows. However, here the Mitsubishi Mirage offers an automatic climate control system and its music system also offers Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, Mitsubishi also gives keyless entry as well as push button start on the Mirage. The boot space is slightly more in the Toyota though.

Engine

Mitsubishi offers the Mirage with a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol motor that pumps out 78 PS of power and 100 Nm of torque. A CVT is offered which sends power to the front wheels of the Mirage. Meanwhile, the Toyota Wigo comes with a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder DOHC motor that makes less power at 65 PS and 85 Nm. The engine is paired to a 4-speed torque converter that also channels power to the front wheels. The CVT of the Mirage is more efficient than the conventional 4-speed automatic of the Wigo. We also prefer the CVT’s driving characteristics than the torque convertor’s.

NVH wise for the engine, the Mirage is a bit noisier than the Wigo.

Safety

The Mirage is the older car here of the two and offers dual airbags, ABS and engine immobiliser. In addition, it also gets Electronic Brake Force distribution or EBD. ISOFIX child seat mounts have been given a skip though. In contrast, the Toyota Wigo comes with all of the above except EBD. Both have been given 4-star ratings by the ASEAN NCAP rating agency with respect to crash safety.

Price and value for money

Mitsubishi has priced the Mirage at Php 583,000 for the GLX CVT trim whereas Toyota has priced the Wigo significantly lower at Php 561,000 for the G AT. For this price difference, you miss out on a few goodies and not to forget, the Mirage is also a better car when it comes to the interior space. For the extra 20,000 odd difference, while not offering anything exceptional, the Mirage is still the better choice of the two overall. It is our pick of the lot. That being said, you can’t go wrong with either of these two cars as they come with the legendary Japanese reliability.