2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

The 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV went on sale in Japan in July of 2009, but Mitsubishi’s new electric mini-car won’t be available to Americans until the end of 2011 -- almost a year after the Nissa Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt hit the market.

Aside from the Nissan Juke, there are few cars that look as futuristic as the i-MiEV, but reviewers don’t find it ugly. They think it resembles a Pokémon. "Its rounded jellybean profile looks slightly better than a Prius', albeit kind of anime-ish.”Motor Trends says. “Head on, the Mitsu's headlights give it a bug-like appearance, and the bulbous wheel arches stuff the bug's cheeks full."

So far, reviewers have only tested the Japanese model; the American version will be a lot different. The Japanese model has optional heated seats, manual air conditioning, a CD player, radio and not much else. The press also says the dashboard is well-designed, but materials quality is poor. The interior plastics are cheap, which is a common gripe reviewers have with other Mitsubishis.

Another point of discussion is comfort, which draws mixed reviews. Some reviewers say that the exterior is misleading; there’s a lot more room inside the i-MiEV than the exterior suggests, and comfort is pretty good for four. They point out that the i-MiEV is, after all, a small earth-friendly car, not a people hauler. Others say there’s no way the i-MiEV will fit American frames comfortably. The seats are thin, lumpy and unrefined. Mitsubishi says that amenity-wise, there’s no need to worry. It will update the Japanese version to fit American standards. That means more interior features, a wider frame and extra space.

Many reviewers are impressed with the i-MiEv’s performance on the road; the car has more strength than its small frame suggests. It moves in and out of traffic easily and handles city roads and highways with gusto.

However, there are a few problems. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is top heavy, making it susceptible to crosswinds. Battery life and range are the biggest issue. Mitsubishi says the i-MiEV averages about 80 miles on a fully charged battery, depending on road and weather conditions. After test driving the car, reviewers find their range to be much less, especially when going up hills or traveling at higher speeds. Reviewers say about 50 miles per charge is a realistic range. And, even though this electric car can use rapid chargers -- which charges the battery to about 80 percent in 25 minutes -- finding a station will be extremely difficult, if not impossible for Americans.

However, to extend its range, the Mitsubishi i-MiEv has two modes that help conserve energy and provide power only when the driver needs it. Eco mode decreases horsepower and allows the brakes to regenerate battery power. B mode provides maximum power and regenerative braking.

The 2012 Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV’s price may deter buyers who want to decrease their carbon footprint. Misubishi says the U.S. model should start around $33,000. After $7,500 in government rebates, the car may end up costing about $22,000.

What the Auto Press Says

After testing the Japanese version of the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV, reviewer opinion doesn’t reveal anything unexpected about the world of electric cars: the i-MiEV is small; battery range is nothing compared to gasoline engines; chargers are scarce; batteries take too long to recharge; and the interior is cramped.

• "The ‘Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle’ should be an appealing new choice for harried urbanites with an environmental conscience."
• "The car's a strong, basic contender. If Mitsubishi can tailor it better to Americans' high expectations (for any car, not just alt-power vehicles), its relatively low price and funky charm could make it worth the wait."
• "The i-Miev is about the furthest thing from a luxury car imaginable. In fact, the thin seats and unpretentious decoration are probably too Spartan for American buyers, particularly in light of a projected price of around $30,000 (before any government kickbacks, incentives, tax breaks, subventions and bribes)."
• "Notwithstanding the fact that our car was right-hand drive, it was like a normal car in most ways. When you first turn it on, you hear some buzzing from the back, which is the electric power-brake assist preparing for the next stop. The sound then goes away and comes back only after you hit the brakes a couple of times. You don't hear it at all once you're on the move."
• "The little i-Miev climbed the long ascents feeling like the little engine that could. Admittedly, our own trepidation about pushing the accelerator too hard for too long is why it didn't jet up the hills. But that fear was justified as we saw the level on the digital battery meter decline rapidly. Our range meter, shown in kilometers, also took a beating during this climb."

Key Details

The 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a small electric car available in Japan. Mitsubishi says it will hit the U.S. in late 2011. Mitsubishi hasn’t released pricing information, but reviewers suspect it will start around $30,000, which is less than the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt. The 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV has a 47-kilowatt engine and a 330-volt lithium-ion battery. The amount of horsepower the car produces is small: 63.

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