Just to close the loop on this story, it doesn't look like a Mirage is in my immediate future (knock on wood) because I bought a 2019 Kia Rio S hatchback last weekend. It's a little bittersweet because this forum is a MAJOR point in favor of the Mirage and I enjoy lurking here.
The forums for the Rio and the Hyundai Accent (virtually the same car), by contrast, are largely empty.
Top_Fuel (09-15-2019)
Sure thing! The car is mainly for another family member, but I'm driving it a couple days this week to get a feel for it. I'll post my driving impressions of it later this week, but in the meantime here are a couple pictures. Inventory was very low, so it was basically a choice between black and white, neither of which is my favorite color. Fortunately, I think it looks pretty nice in white. Rio hatchbacks are monospec in the US, so no alloy wheels, sadly.
Does that have a CVT or a traditional automatic?
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)
It's a 2019, so it has a traditional 6-speed automatic. The engine's an updated version of the 1.6L GDI engine they used in the last generation--apparently the updates were to improve fuel economy (and also, I assume, to address a pinging issue that some previous-gen cars encountered).
For the 2020 model year, they're moving to a new engine, one of their new "Smartstream engines" with multiport injection, and the new Hyundai/Kia CVT. If that new engine/transmission combo is reliable, it should be terrific--it gets 5 MPG better than the 2019, I think. However, I'm cautious when it comes to technology and decided it was better to stick with the old drivetrain.
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)
Looks nice. Keep us posted on what mileage you get. I like white alot actually. I would have got a mirage in white but the se manual was slim pickins so I got black. Gets dirty driving just 37 feet. Lol
White masks dirt and scratches and is cooler in summer.
I'm not a fan of KIA but at least you got a traditional automatic transmission. I don't trust a CVT transmission. Now a 6 speed automatic, that sound efficient!
Here we go with all the dog piling on the CVT7.......sucks there's not more confidence for CVT owners on this forum.