2014 Mitsubishi Mirage will arrive soon full of surprises

The all-new 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage will arrive in the U.S. early next year with a low price, high fuel-mileage and a few surprises for the price. It will be the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid in America. How about 44 mpg highway? And it will have a low starting price of $12,995. What will the base model come standard with?

The new Mirage is returning to the U.S. after a long absence and will come with a host of standard features for the price. The base DE trim level ($12,995) will come with automatic climate control, power side mirrors, 4 speaker 140-watt AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with USB/iPod input, power windows with driver's side auto-up/down, keyless entry with panic alarm, rear seat heater ducts and convenient 60/40 split-fold rear seat.

Outside, the new compact car will come with sporty rear spoiler and a choice of eight different vibrant colors to chose from. Safety features will include seven air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) including driver's knee air bag, and Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control Logic (TCL)

With all the attention on vehicle safety, a notable key engineering safety feature incorporated into the design of the new Mirage is Mitsubishi's Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) technology. This patented body construction system combines state-of-the-art engineering and high-tensile steel to provide additional protection to the vehicle's occupants by dissipating and/or absorbing energy in the event of a collision.

Another surprising safety technology on the 2014 Mirage is a brake override system. Should the brake and accelerator pedals be applied simultaneously while the vehicle is moving, the engine ECU will override the accelerator's input and give priority to the brakes. This fail-safe function greatly reduces the risk of an unintended acceleration.

Mechanical goodies on the DE model will include Electric Power Steering (EPS), Hill Start Assist (CVT-equipped models), ECO indicator light, 4-wheel ABS brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

For an additional $1,200, the more upmarket Mirage ES with a five-speed manual transmission, 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.

The all-new 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage makes its triumphant return to the U.S. market and brings with it quite a few surprises for a compact car in this price range. Look for the new highly fuel-efficient compact to arrive early next year. Stay tuned to Torque News for the latest Mitsubishi Mirage news.

Watch All-New 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage video.