Mitsubishi SPACE STAR 1.3-LITRE Mirage
If The Idea Of A Family Hatchback Fails To Float Your Boat, Bargains Can Be Had Elsewhere. Andy Enright Takes A Look At The Distinctly Affordable 1.3-litre
Mitsubishi Space Star Mirage
A few years ago it was all so simple. If you had a family you either bought a saloon, an estate, or if you were a little more avant-garde, a hatchback. The
Renault Espace changed the plot, introducing the idea of MPV people carriers and since then the traditional categories have crumbled somewhat. The entry-level 1.
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3-litre
Mitsubishi Space Star is a prime example. Smaller than a
mini-MPV yet still larger than something like a supermini-MPV such as a
Toyota Yaris Verso, the 1.3-litre Space Star Mirage has one thing that brooks no debate. The price.
The Yaris Versos success has caught many major makers in a dilemma. Without a similar supermini-MPV to sell, theyre faced with either selling their larger mini-MPVs at rock bottom prices (like
Kia and
Proton do) or taking putting windows in one of their small vans (as with the
Renault Kangoo and
Citroen Berlingo Multispace) and pretending its something similar. All of which leaves Mitsubishi in quite a nice position. Their Space Star has always been plumb in the middle of these two compact MPV sectors, not large or versatile enough to be a mini-MPV like a Renault Scenic, but significantly bigger than cars of the Yaris Verso/
Vauxhall Meriva ilk.
Which means that you can either see it as neither one thing nor the other or the answer to your prayers. In the case of the entry-level 1.3-litre Space Star Mirage variant were looking at here, its an affordable answer, the asking price being entirely reasonable at £8,999, despite increased levels of equipment and a comprehensive design overhaul. Theres also a 1.
3-litre Classic derivative for £1,000 more.
"On the move, as long as youre not a pedal to the metal merchant, you shouldnt be disappointed."
Those who recall earlier iterations of the Space Star will appreciate the facelift thats been visited upon this model. With a colour-keyed front bumper, an integrated grille, black protective mouldings and revised headlights and indicators, the look is a good deal more contemporary. The interior has also come in for a freshening. The upholstery is markedly superior to the old Space Star, as is the quality of the plastics used about the cabin.
The centre console has been redesigned to bring it into the here and now, as has the steering wheel. There are even cup holders for rear passengers. There are three trim levels available Mirage, Equippe and Classic. Mirage is the most basic but to be fair, it does include items like metallic paint, dual airbags, an RDS stereo, central locking, power steering, alloy wheels, an alloy effect dashboard and gearknob, electric front windows and power-operated mirrors.
Classic adds ABS brakes and CD player amongst other things. The Space Star sits just above the little three-door supermini Colt hatchback in the companys line-up, bringing the five-door versatility that you cant get on a Colt. Youll be pleasantly surprised to find bigger than supermini standards of space however. The idea here is to offer all the advantages of that larger Focus or Astra-sized family hatchback you were thinking of with a dash more versatility.
The 1.3-litre engine being used here is one of the older ones on Mitsubishis books, developing an unremarkable 81bhp. The 41.5mpg combined fuel figure looks impressive, but will be difficult to achieve in real conditions, especially if the Space Star is fully loaded.
The sprint to 60mph will take over 14 seconds, making this 1.3-litre model only marginally quicker than some tectonic plates but if you expect a racy drive and all that practicality for £8,999, then your expectations are probably going to have to be managed in the direction of the pre-owned vehicles selection. Nevertheless, the five-speed gearbox has a smooth, quality feel to the shift. Sadly (and strangely for a town-orientated car) theres no auto option: youll need to stretch to the 1.6-litre version for that. Around tight car parks, a turning circle of just 4.8 metres is a boon, while out on the road, the slippery 0.
33Cd figure means that wind noise is kept to a minimum. Inside, as weve suggested, the seating layout is pretty conventional, apart from the way the rear seats slide 150mm forward and back, either to improve legroom or increase rear luggage capacity. There are some neat MPV-orientated storage touches though. Take the floor console box which can store up to 9 CDs or 12 cassettes or the sturdy hooks at the four corners of the cargo area to secure bulky items.
I also liked the way that theres space to store an emergency triangle in an above-floor compartment, so you dont have to fish about for it in an emergency. Plus, bear in mind that the extra roof height allows the Colt Space Star to carry awkward things that wouldnt go in a family hatch: a bicycle, for example, or a barbecue. On the move, as long as youre not a pedal to the metal merchant, you shouldnt be disappointed. Refinement and ride are reasonable (though not exceptional) and body roll is well controlled for a car with such a high roofline. On the safety front, theres the expected airbag availability (twin front), plus the now common three-point rear belts for all three back
seat passengers.
Although the price is attractive, the benefits of a 1.3-litre Space Star over a nearly new
Ford Focus could cause some debate. That said, if you are intent on buying new and are looking at a small MPV, this car certainly makes a case for itself.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Mitsubishi Space Star 1.3 Mirage
PRICE: £8,999 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 7
CO2 EMISSIONS: 162g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.3] Max Speed 106mph / 0-60mph 13.4s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.3] (urban) 32.1mpg / (extra urban) 49.6mpg / Combined) 41.5mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4030/1515/1700
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