Grime Low-cost Sedan Shootout: Versa vs. Mirage

The 2024 Nissan Versa Sedan and the 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage G4 are the 2 most reasonably priced sedans obtainable in america proper now. They are not fancy, they don’t seem to be quick, they’re strictly “A to B” kind vehicles, however there’s nonetheless a marketplace for that.

Many individuals are searching for low cost, dependable transport to easily handle the every day commute, and while you’re making an attempt to maintain your footprint small – and keep away from incurring prices – there isn’t any higher phase than the funds compact sedan class. And our essential contenders listed below are the Versa and the Mirage G4. However, one is certainly higher than the opposite. Here is what it is advisable to know for those who’re searching for one of the best low cost automobile 2024 has to supply.

Bland However Inoffensive Design

Although neither automobile is very thrilling to have a look at, it will be a stretch to name both the Mirage or the Versa ugly. The Mirage’s chunky silhouette has a sure appeal to it with its snub-nosed front-end and hefty back-end. The pinched grille nearly seems too sporty for a funds sedan, and the general vibe is pleasant and quirky. In contrast, the Versa is simple, sharing an total design philosophy with fellow Nissan sedans just like the Nissan Sentra, with its lengthy, smoothed strains, horizontal-barred grille and modern headlights.

Each of those vehicles appear like funds sedans, however the Versa’s 2023 facelift, simplifying the entrance finish, helps it to look significantly much less low cost. The Mirage G4 is charming, however hasn’t been given a critical revamp within the final 5 years, and its huge, expressive options go well with the Mirage hatchback mannequin higher than they do the G4 sedan.

Slowpoke Efficiency: Constant However Underwhelming

There is a fairly clear disparity in energy between these two vehicles, however the Versa’s superior output does not essentially translate to faster efficiency, with each fashions taking not less than ten seconds to succeed in 60 mph. Reviewing these fashions, we have discovered them each to be underwhelming while you put your foot on the fuel, however the Versa earns some factors over the Mirage for its extra exact steering, whereas the Mirage’s bumpy experience could have you ever dreading the every day commute.

Neither automobile is very enjoyable to drive, however the Versa affords a extra nice expertise behind the wheel, and we like the truth that it comes with a 5-speed guide transmission as the bottom possibility. The automobile is out there with a CVT, however that comes with a value bump to not less than $18,350 for the S CVT trim. The entire level of this comparability is to distinction the most cost effective new sedans in America, and whereas theCVT pushes that beginning value up, you additionally save on the pumps as that transmission setup earns higher fuel mileage rankings from the EPA. You will have to select which space you wish to save in.

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Neither of those vehicles affords something within the line of sportiness, and there isn’t any pleasure from behind the wheel. If you need a quick automobile for affordable, you are going to have much more enjoyable shopping for a used mannequin, as a result of at this value level for a brand new automobile, all you get is fundamental transportation.

Gasoline Financial system: At Least It is Low-cost To Refuel

Gasoline financial system will be the solely class the place the Mirage beats the Versa – there is a purpose it is one of the vital fuel-efficient vehicles obtainable within the USA. The Versa is available in two flavors, and the one you select will have an effect on how a lot you spend on the pumps. Versas with the guide transmission earn EPA rankings of 27/35/30 mpg on the town/freeway/mixed cycles, whereas choosing the CVT sees a bit extra frugality – you may get 32/40/35 mpg then, which is as near the Mirage sedan as you are going to get.

The Mitsubishi funds sedan earns rankings of 35/41/37 mpg, that are good numbers to offset the shortage of energy. It has a 9.2-gallon gasoline tank, so a variety of 340 miles is feasible. 2024 Versas have a ten.8-gallon fuel tank, which suggests a variety of round 324 miles with the guide and 378 miles with the CVT.

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There are lots of strong choices to select from.

The Mirage G4 is available in at a most curb weight of two,161 kilos, whereas the Versa weighs in at 2,717, max. The Versa’s guide gearbox is much less environment friendly than the Mirage’s CVT, and the Mirage’s meager three-cylinder engine simply wasn’t constructed to burn that a lot fuel. Regardless, neither of those vehicles are all that thirsty. The EPA estimates a $1,750 gasoline expense for a typical Versa driver who’s rowing their very own gears, and $1,500 for individuals who paid for the CVT. The Mirage is cheaper to run that each, with the EPA estimating an annual gasoline price of round $1,400.

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Shocking Security and Reliability Scores

A handful of 2023 and 2024 Nissan Versas have been recalled in early 2024 for an airbag malfunction. The recall solely affected 351 fashions and coated varied vehicles starting from the Titan and Pathfinder to the Kicks, Sentra, and Rogue. There have been no different recollects for the final three mannequin years – and none for the Mirage both. Each additionally earn comparatively good scores from J.D. Energy for reliability, with the newest Mirage scoring 80 out of 100 for high quality and reliability, and the Versa scoring 82 out of 100.

With good reliability expectations, how does security fare? Each vehicles show to be pretty crashworthy, as effectively. By way of assessing how secure these automobiles are, we will have a look at their rating playing cards from the native authorities. It is value noting that the Mirage G sedan wasn’t particularly rated by the NHTSA, however ought to broadly share scores with the hatchback model.

Security critiques come courtesy of the usual lively and passive assists every car has. For 2024,the Mirage comes with:

Six airbags Rearview digital camera Cruise management Ahead collision warning with pedestrian detection Computerized braking Obtainable lane-departure warning

To match, the Versa has the Nissan Security Protect 360 system, which contains the next:

Six airbags Computerized braking with pedestrian detection Ahead and rear collision system Lane departure warning Cruise management Obtainable driver consideration monitor Obtainable blind-spot warning

Have Your Say

With such a low MSRP, is the 2024 Nissan Versa dependable?

Regardless of a sub-$18k entry-level value, the Versa scores effectively on JD Energy’s high quality and reliability ranking, and the 2024 mannequin has just one recall to its title at the moment. However can an affordable automobile actually final?

Inside and Tech: The Naked Requirements

Being budget-focused, neither of those vehicles have an inventory of comforts and conveniences that may blow you away. As an alternative you get what you want, and possibly only a smidge extra. By way of area, each vehicles sit within the compact sedan phase. As such, area for passengers is a blended bag. The Versa has extra headroom and legroom within the entrance (39.5 and 44.5 inches, respectively), whereas the Mirage sedan is way more spacious within the again – by as a lot as 5 inches for rear passenger legroom. There’s additionally 14.7 cubic toes of cargo area within the Versa, and simply 12.4 cubes within the Mirage.

Neither cabin is very spacious, however neither is cramped for a typical grownup driver. There are extra snug vehicles on the market, however positively not at this value level. By way of options, that is how the 2 sedans evaluate:

Inside, the expertise in each vehicles is about as fundamental because it will get. By way of normal options, the Mirage is healthier off although with extra as normal throughout the lineup. The Versa affords Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wi-fi connection solely within the prime trims.

The Finest Sedan For Your Cash

Apart from the Mirage being very fuel-efficient and providing extra normal options at entry-point to the vary, the Versa wins all the opposite classes, from seems, to energy, and area. How about affordability on the outset?

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The Mirage G4 begins at $17,795, whereas the Versa in its least expensive configuration prices $16,680 – that is with the five-speed guide transmission. We’re primarily seeking to evaluate sedans right here, however if you wish to get the Mirage in a hatchback, that’ll price you $16,695, so you are still spending $305 extra on the Mitsubishi. These costs are all earlier than choices, vacation spot charges, taxes, and so forth.

The Versa could be upgraded to an S CVT trim at $18,350, an SV at $19,970, and a top-range SR at $20,690, whereas the Mirage G4 is out there in a $17,795 ES, an $18,495 LE, a $19,195 BE, or a $19,595 SE. The Mirage is in the end cheaper on the greater trim ranges, however we’re particularly seeking to evaluate the most cost effective obtainable fashions for the needs of this shootout.

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What is the least expensive new automobile of 2024, and is it value shopping for?

The most affordable new automobile of 2024 is the Nissan Versa. The Kia Forte and Mitsubishi Mirage G4 additionally are available with low costs which are straightforward in your funds. Do you suppose it is a good suggestion to spend a bit however anticipate lots?

Evaluating two sedans in the identical value vary, it is often not this straightforward to name a winner, however there’s actually nothing that the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 does that the Nissan Versa does not do higher. It is extra fuel-efficient, however it’s additionally $1,405 dearer, which suggests it will take you a while to make up the distinction on the pump. So we’re fairly assured in saying that the 2024 Nissan Versa is each the higher automobile, and the higher deal. Being the most cost effective automobile in America won’t be probably the most glamorous honor to carry, however the Versa wears it effectively.

Sources:
Gasoline-Financial system.gov
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NHTSA
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IIHS
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