Bought a Kia Niro hybrid as 2nd car - blows my Mirage away

[Tyrelirwin]

I noticed the new Mirage's are being rated at only 5.5L/100km (under 43 mpg US) on the Mitsu Canada website. Are the 2018's heavier than the 2014s, or did the EPA just give them a more conservative rating?

[Daox]

The EPA rates the 2017 and 2018 models exactly the same. As far as I know, no major changes have been made for the 2018 model year. Did NRCAN update their testing procedure for 2018? I know they had been talking about that to agree with the newer EPA testing.

[Tyrelirwin]

The EPA rates the 2017 and 2018 models exactly the same. As far as I know, no major changes have been made for the 2018 model year. Did NRCAN update their testing procedure for 2018? I know they had been talking about that to agree with the newer EPA testing.

I'm certain that my 2014 was rated at 4.4L/100km (53 mpg US). I just wasn't sure if the 5.5 figure was based on more conservative testing, or actual decreased economy.

[dspace9]

I'm certain that my 2014 was rated at 4.4L/100km (53 mpg US). I just wasn't sure if the 5.5 figure was based on more conservative testing, or actual decreased economy.

Pretty sure I heard on the CTV news network last year, that the Canadian government fuel economy testing and standards are more robust now. Most cars would see their fuel economy figures dip.

My Mirage 2014 brochure here says 4.4 L / 64 mpg highway. I was at the dealer getting an oil change a few weeks ago and kicking tires, and saw I believe 5.5 on a brand new Mirage G4 in the showroom.

The newer Mirages like the GT are heavier than my base 2014 but I think it's 1950 lbs to 2100 lbs or so. All the gizmos I wouldn't underestimate their heft

[Tyrelirwin]

Pretty sure I heard on the CTV news network last year, that the Canadian government fuel economy testing and standards are more robust now. Most cars would see their fuel economy figures dip.
My Mirage 2014 brochure here says 4.4 L / 64 mpg highway. I was at the dealer getting an oil change a few weeks ago and kicking tires, and saw I believe 5.5 on a brand new Mirage G4 in the showroom.

Ah, that makes sense. I thought I heard something about that. Thanks!

[nickels]

The 2018s are actually more efficient than the previous years. The lower aero skirting and lighter weight make this so.

However, yanno, new regulations. I mean I get about 5.5 on average just city driving in a mountain town. I can and have pulled 4.2 on the highway going full hyper mile techniques without any physical modifications, although if I just drive normally (quickly, full beans on the uphills) I still return 5.8 at worst.

And the hills around here... dear lord.

[MetroMPG]

Pretty sure I heard on the CTV news network last year, that the Canadian government fuel economy testing and standards are more robust now. Most cars would see their fuel economy figures dip.

EPA revised a portion of its test for the 2017 model year which lowered all cars' ratings. NRCAN always adopts the EPA methodology eventually.

Thread: 2017 Mirage MPG/fuel economy rating on EPA site (lower than last year/ revised test)

[dspace9]

EPA revised a portion of its test for the 2017 model year which lowered all cars' ratings. NRCAN always adopts the EPA methodology eventually.

Thread: 2017 Mirage MPG/fuel economy rating on EPA site (lower than last year/ revised test)

One way or another, all in all I mean it makes sense the ratings'd go down. They say 90% of cars dont get their as advertised fuel economy rating, everyone knows it.

Whereas Mirage owners we all brag ab 5.5's and 4.1 lower L in 100 kilometers (Canadian) and in the euro 1.0 engine model Mirage Space Star even better.

Good thing the RCAN and EPA did something stepped in and made it more realistic to the customer just funny/ironic Canadian government rules would follow suit, with the EPA now given the current USA admin's penchant or love for enviromental standards haha sarcasm.

Then the scandals of VW diesels for years and Mitsubishi too, not much press on the latter.

[cinder]

The Ford Festiva was a 1.3 ltr. produced by MAZDA , also known as the MAZDA 121 . The Mazda 1.3 ltr. was in use from '88 to '93 and manufactured in Mexico. We had several Festivas . One was the L plus with the 3 speed auto and the other had the 5 speed manual . Very fun to drive and the 1.3 ltr. could take a beating . One of the best engines ever . Managed to fit a brand new loveseat sleeper in it . Could fold the seats all the way forward in the upright position snug behind front seats . One of all time favorite cars . 1st is the Chevy Nova ( Corolla ) liftback . That was the 1.6 ltr. with a the 3 speed auto . Was told by a transmission specialist that the 3 speed auto was supplied by MAZDA for Toyota . 2nd favorite was the Colt / Champ hatch with the 1.4 or 1.6 ltr. engine . We had a tan '82 ( or '81 ) 1.6 ltr. and the twin stick . Combo of 4 speed manual and a lever to put in Economy or Power mode . I think that lowered gear ratio in POWER position . That helped with hills and good amounts of snow .

[Mark]

The Ford Festiva was a 1.3 ltr. produced by MAZDA , also known as the MAZDA 121 . The Mazda 1.3 ltr. was in use from '88 to '93 and manufactured in Mexico. We had several Festivas . One was the L plus with the 3 speed auto and the other had the 5 speed manual . Very fun to drive and the 1.3 ltr. could take a beating . One of the best engines ever . Managed to fit a brand new loveseat sleeper in it . Could fold the seats all the way forward in the upright position snug behind front seats . One of all time favorite cars . 1st is the Chevy Nova ( Corolla ) liftback . That was the 1.6 ltr. with a the 3 speed auto . Was told by a transmission specialist that the 3 speed auto was supplied by MAZDA for Toyota . 2nd favorite was the Colt / Champ hatch with the 1.4 or 1.6 ltr. engine . We had a tan '82 ( or '81 ) 1.6 ltr. and the twin stick . Combo of 4 speed manual and a lever to put in Economy or Power mode . I think that lowered gear ratio in POWER position . That helped with hills and good amounts of snow .

I bought a brand new 1990 Ford Festiva for $5300 (after a $1000 rebate offer). I drove that car for 14 years. The Ford Festiva was designed by Mazda, built by KIA, and sold by Ford. I am 100% certain my Festiva was built in Seoul South Korea, not Mexico. The date & place of manufacture was labeled in the door frame. My 1990 Festiva was a KIA built car sold by Ford before KIA were even popular. It's the only car I ever regretted selling.

The 1.3L engine was bullet proof. It never burned a drop of oil in the 14-years I owned it. The 1988-89 models had carburetors, & the 1990-93 models were fuel injected. This was one tough little car. I don't care what anyone else says. It was best front wheel drive I have even driven in the snow. It's skinny 145SR12 tires were unstoppable, despite its 1700-1800 pound lightweight body. Only my AWD vehicles were better. I used that car to get two different master degrees (long trips for summer school), & I can't tell you how many deer I hauled out the woods in the back of it. I consider myself an educated redneck. It had great ground clearance, and I loved the seating position. You are right (the entire rear seat rolled forward & up), which makes the Mirage's rear foldings seats look lame in comparison.

It never got under 40 mpg, but seldom did over 45 mpg either with the 5 speed manual. Its 64 hp seemed more powerful than the Mirage's 78 hp, but mine didn't have A/C. A/C zaps these little motors. Could this car do over 100 mph? Who knows? The speedometer only went to 85 mph. Keep in mind President Clinton repealed the 55 mph speed limit in 1995.

If this car was sold today, I would buy one with no reservation. This was a true basic economy car. My base model had no power steering, no A/C, no radio, no cruise control, no stability control, no ABS, no power locks, no power windows, no armrest, no intermittent wipers, etc..... It had very little plastic, however, because the door panels were the same color metal as the outside of the car with a patch vinyl padding the middle. They only came in 2-door hatchback models. Rear windows were rear pop out design only. You basically popped the back hatch to open and close them.

I feel spoiled driving a 2017 Mirage.