The Five Most Budget-Friendly Mitsubishi Vehicles

Mitsubishi offers several of its vehicles at lower prices, which helps the company maintain a competitive presence in the US market. In August, the average price of a car in the US was $47,870. All of Mitsubishi’s models start at under $47,870—with their lowest-priced car, the Mirage, holding a $16,695 base cost, and their most expensive, the Outlander PHEV (plug-in electric hybrid vehicle), holding a base price of $40,345.

Despite their relative rarity, multiple sub-$30,000 models exist within Mitsubishi’s lineup, and we’ve compiled a list of each model from least to most expensive below.

Each of our listings will include the model’s pros and cons in vital areas such as exterior and interior design, performance, and tech. By the end, you should be able to identify a Mitsubishi under $30,000 that best aligns with your driving needs and preferences.

2024 Mitsubishi Mirage – $16,695

The Mirage, Mitsubishi’s most affordable model, is a four-door subcompact car. Its most significant strengths are its fuel economy and warranty coverage. Mirage drivers receive 35-36 MPG in the city and 41-43 MPG on the highway. Warranties include five years or 60,000 miles of basic coverage, whichever comes first, and 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain protection. It’s also one of the market’s last subcompact hatchbacks and offers a well-equipped base grade.

Features within the entry-level ES Mirage include, but aren’t limited to:

• Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Steering wheel voice recognition control
• LED taillights
• Split rear seat folding function

However, the Mirage isn’t the type of car you’d want if you’re frequently on the highway and need enough horsepower to accelerate confidently during overtakes. All 2024 Mirage trims offer 78 horsepower. The base grade’s wheels are also small at 14” and contain covers that look dated. One redeeming performance factor is this model’s competitive 15.1 ft. turning radius.

The 2024 Mirage seats five passengers and offers some attractive exterior design options. While its motorsport styling choices do not accurately indicate its high-performance capabilities, the Ralliart model, which starts at $18,895, features unique red and black body graphics contrasting with a white diamond finish.

The Black Edition Mirage offers two-tone color options in addition to other eye-catching exterior features, like 15” black alloy wheels, a black roof spoiler, and black side mirror caps. A Black Edition’s interior includes bold red accents and an urbane leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2024 Mirage’s solid color lineup consists of:

• Starlight Silver Metallic
• Wine Red Metallic
• White Diamond
• Sapphire Blue Metallic
• Infrared Metallic
• Sand Yellow
• Graphite Gray Metallic
• Jet Black Metallic

Rear cargo space behind the second row is decent for its class at 17.1 cubic feet (cu. ft.), and folding down the rear seats expands this capacity to 47 cu. ft. Still, you’re not having to dish out much dough for the 2024 Mirage—and the cabin reflects this fact with lots of hard plastic, a straightforward presentation, and seats that aren’t great for extended drives.

To be fair, the front seats provide a decent amount of legroom. The display across all grades measures 7”, and the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) gave it a four-star safety rating instead of its highest score of five stars.

2024 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 – $17,795

The 2024 Mirage G4 is a sedan with dimensions different from those of its standard Mirage counterpart. While the Mirage G4 is a bigger vehicle, it nearly matches the Mirage’s fuel economy at 35 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway, and has much less cargo space, measuring 12.4 cu. ft. The size differences revolve around the Mirage G4’s longer sedan body style. The standard Mirage is the better choice if you’re seeking storage versatility.

You might be wondering why a driver would prefer a Mirage G4 if it’s more expensive than the standard Mirage and offers less cargo capacity. One may choose to purchase a Mirage G4 since subcompact hatchback styling isn’t for everyone. Additionally, while the Mirage G4 contains less cargo space, it offers greater passenger volume at 89.2 cu. ft. instead of the Mirage’s 86.2 cu. ft.

However, if you’re not sold on passenger comfort alone, the Mirage might be a better choice. With its smaller exterior and better turn radius, it can more confidently squeeze into small parking spots and maneuver tight spaces. While you won’t receive wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, you’ll get Bluetooth connectivity.

Safety feature spotlight

The Mirage and Mirage G4 share the same standard safety features, including forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams.

These vehicles also contain a reinforced impact safety evolution (RISE) body, elevating collision impact absorption via high-tensile strength steel. You may be surprised to learn that the 2024 Mirage and Mirage G4 have standard rear-view cameras. In addition to LED taillights, LED fog lights increase visibility, and active stability control helps lower the likelihood of skidding. The Mirage and Mirage G4 contain a seven-airbag setup.

Mirage accessories

If you’re unsatisfied with the 2024 Mirage’s exterior, you can dress it up with accessories such as a carbon pattern B-pillar graphic, body-color front corner effects, and chrome exhaust trim. Other accessories include carbon front lower trim with a silver stripe, chrome headlight trim, and a chrome license plate frame.

2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport – $23,695

The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a compact SUV with a combined fuel economy of 26 MPG, seating for five passengers, and horsepower ranging from 148 to 168. Torque for this model spans 145-167 lb.-ft., and each trim comes with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). This drivetrain, which Mitsubishi calls all-wheel control (AWC), sends power and braking to wheels with the highest traction.

Mitsubishi enhances this model’s handling, performance, and traction with a four-channel electronic brake-force distribution system containing brake assist, active stability control, and traction control logic. The 2024 Outlander Sport offers 21.7 cu. ft. of storage behind its rear seats and 49.5 cu. ft. with the rear row down. Unfortunately, heated front seats are available options, along with push-button start and power-folding side mirrors, but automatic climate control is standard.

On the tech front, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are upgrades, which is perplexing given that the cheapest Mitsubishi, the Mirage, offers these features as standard. Mitsubishi compensates for a lack of standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility with features like hands-free voice commands and multiple USB ports throughout the vehicle.

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Mitsubishi offers an Outlander Sport Trail Edition, which includes touches like grade-exclusive badging and durable trim molding. The Outlander Sport Ralliart mirrors the spirit of the Mirage Ralliart with red and black accents blending well a primary white diamond exterior.

Color options include:

• Oak Brown Metallic
• Octane Blue Metallic
• Sunshine Orange Metallic
• Red Diamond
• White Diamond
• Labrador Black Pearl
• Alloy Silver Metallic
• Mercury Gray Metallic

Some are quick to write off Mitsubishis since certain models contain cheaper interiors, but the Outlander Sport offers available leather seats. In addition to providing a standard rear-view camera across its lineup, this compact SUV includes forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams.

Alongside safety features you’ll find with Mirage models, like a RISE body, active stability control, and seven airbags, you’ll receive rain-sensing wipers, which often aren’t present within vehicles in this price range. The NHTSA gave the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport a 4-star safety rating. NHTSA officials evaluate a vehicle’s crash protection capabilities based on frontal, side, and rollover resistance tests.

2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross – $26,345

The 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a compact crossover SUV with seating for up to five passengers. Mitsubishi has designed this model to handle what city streets and outdoor trips may present with four-wheel drive (4WD) and torque vectoring technology, optimizing power delivery to individual wheels. Active yaw control optimizes this 4WD system by reading information like steering angles, yaw rate, driving torque, wheel speed, and braking. Drivers also receive three distinct modes: auto, snow, and gravel.

Auto presents an even driving feel, while snow and gravel handle the terrains they’re named after, with traction-enhancing dynamics meant for each surface. The 2024 Eclipse Cross offers 152 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque via a 1.5L direct-injection turbo engine, which works alongside a continuously variable 8-speed transmission.

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This crossover SUV is one of the better-looking models in Mitsubishi’s lineup with its sculpted exterior lines and available panoramic power sunroof. The trunk space measures 23.4 cu. ft.—but this cargo capacity can expand to 50.1 cu. ft. with the second-row seats folded. You’ll also receive more connectivity than the prior vehicles on our list, but several features are optional.

Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Cross offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as upgrades. Available Mitsubishi Connect services can help you perform tasks from your smartphone, such as remote engine starts and door locking/unlocking. The optional what3words feature facilitates your ability to utilize navigation without an active cell service signal, and the available head-up display (HUD) projects information like your current speed onto the windshield for easier visibility.

The 2024 Eclipse Cross has an enhanced power sound system for better audio than our lists previous models via speakers in eight locations. Dual automatic climate control is also optional alongside the hands-free power gate you activate with a kicking motion under the rear bumper. Regarding MPG, drivers will receive 25 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. Outdoor enthusiasts may want to opt for the Eclipse Cross’ available towing package with a tow hitch and harness.

However, this compact crossover SUV’s towing capacity is limited to 1,500 lbs. The Eclipse Cross has many attractive features, but the model’s primary drawback is that most of these features are upgrades.

2024 Mitsubishi Outlander – $28,395 (350)

The final Mitsubishi on our list with a starting price of under $30,000 is the mid-size Outlander crossover SUV with seven seats. Many of the wheel sizes on our list are smaller, but the Outlander has available 20” wheels. LED headlights contain a placement optimizing road visibility, and an optional panoramic moonroof helps establish a more open interior feel.

When it comes to performance, this mid-size SUV produces 181 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque. Six drive modes place the Outlander’s specialized terrain capabilities above the Eclipse Cross. These drive modes include tarmac, gravel, snow, mud, eco, and normal. Drivers benefit from receiving 4WD tech, and lightweight suspension components help foster a smooth drive. Mileage registers at 24 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway, while towing maxes out at 2,000 lbs.

Mitsubishi designs the Outlander to provide a quiet cabin via a double-pane windshield and front windows. Available triple-zone climate control provides additional passenger comfort across the Outlander’s expanded seating, while cargo space measures 11.7 cu. ft. behind the third row, 33.5 cu. ft. behind the second row, and 64.3 cu. ft. behind the front seats.

Drivers receive more standard tech features within the Outlander, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional Bose sound system contains 10 speakers, and available navigation provides live traffic updates. Similar to the Eclipse Cross, drivers can select a large HUD measuring over 10”. A 7” central infotainment display is standard, but the optional version is 12.3”.

The 2024 Outlander also received an IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Top Safety Pick designation for its crash protection capabilities—the organization’s second-highest rating. Features helping form this rating include, but aren’t limited to:

• Active blind spot assist
• Blind spot warning
• Rear automatic emergency braking
• Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection

This model’s primary drawbacks are its low horsepower and tight third-row seating. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, and AWD is optional.