Just In: Small, underpowered 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage

Mitsubishi is grasping desperately for any lifeline to keep selling cars in the United States, and it is coming up as dry as the Salton Sea. Its latest strategy seems to be to build things that nobody else does, such as a small SUV with a third-row seat. (Thanks to the coming 2014 Nissan Rogue, this is a short-lived distinction.) Or a tall, tiny, cramped electric car that’s barely more than a golf cart, the i-MIEV. And the company’s latest effort: a tiny Mirage hatchback that starts around $13,000.

Our gray Mirage ES with an automatic transmission set us back $16,050. It includes some nice features, such as alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise control and audio controls. What it does not include are commonly desired features such as a smooth and/or powerful engine, a nice ride, responsive handling, or comfortable seats.