I've been reading a lot of reviews of the Mirage over the last few months.
Something funny happens when you go through a high volume of critiques about the same thing: you begin to notice quite a few conflicting observations from the professional auto reviewers.
It all starts to add up to something nearly hilarious:
(And it drives home the point that we should really just make up our own minds.)
On the interior ...Grumpy:
Happy:slip inside and it's all a bit … well, downmarket. Interior plastics, the carpets and the seat cloth are all of austere quality - source
the materials used inside the new Mirage don't look low rent in any way ... quality cabin finish - source
On the 1.2 L engine ...Grumpy:
Happy:it’s in noise and vibration where the Mirage’s powertrain loses big marks. This is a coarse powerplant ... the din it creates - source
The engine is a highlight – it sounds brilliant ... charismatic ... has a wonderful snarl - source
On the manual transmission (5-speed) ...Grumpy:
Happy:the manual’s notchy and imprecise shift action ... the clutch pedal’s vague friction point - source
easy-to-use, slick-shifting five-speed manual with its light clutch pedal - source
On the automatic transmission (CVT) ...Grumpy:
Happy:The CVT is not much better, with a general indecisiveness - source
The planetary gears help provide brisk get-up-and-go... Its operation is seamless and looks to work well. - source
On the exterior styling...Grumpy:
the styling is surprisingly subdued; embellishments are minimized and there's so little flashiness you have to wonder if designers were working to more than just an economy of scale. - source
Happy:
New Mirage is a good looker from the outside. Contemporary lines avoid those silly extremes on some of the latest small hatches. - source
On handling ...Grumpy:
any kind of hard cornering makes the tyres virtually roll onto their sidewalls - source
On ride quality ...Grumpy:
Happy:Being none too sophisticated, the suspension admits bumps ... - source
It has a decent ride that copes with rough roads and gives a high level of comfort - source
There are lots more examples like these!
- One reviewer bemoans the lack of power, while another describes the car as lively & sprightly. One reviewer recommends the 1.0L over the 1.2L engine, while another claims the 1.0 was so slow as to be "scary" to drive...