2022 Chevrolet Spark vs....

The 2022 Chevrolet Spark and 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage are subcompacts with an emphasis on fuel economy and value. Here’s how they compare.

2022 Chevrolet Spark

2022 Chevrolet Spark Starting Price:$14,595 |Price yoursorView listings near you

Above Average:Very affordable; good fuel economy; easy to park; Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are standard equipment.

Below Average:Base model’s hand-cranked windows; the engine is underpowered; must upgrade to top trim to access driver-assist features.

Consensus:The 2022 Chevrolet Spark is a subcompact hatchback that puts an emphasis on value and affordability, making it one of the least expensive new cars available.

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage Starting Price:$14,645 |Price yoursorView listings near you

Above Average:Low price and running costs; hatchback is versatile; long warranty.

Below Average:Poor crash test results; lacks dynamics; weak engine.

Consensus:The 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the least-expensive cars on sale in the U.S. today, but it still includes modern essentials like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard.

Spark vs. Mirage: Small, But Packed With Value

The 2022 Chevrolet Spark is the brand’s smallest vehicle currently sold in the U.S., and thanks to its small size and sometimes rudimentary equipment, it’s one of the least-expensive cars on sale in America, too. But despite the base model coming with hand-cranked windows, manual door locks, and a manual transmission, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard equipment, too. Chevy hasn’t officially announced full details for the 2022 Spark just yet, but it’s expected to carry forward from last year with few changes.

At the heart of the 2022 Spark lies a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine rated for 98 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, but a two-step CVT is available. The 2022 Chevrolet Spark’s EPA fuel economy rating varies from as high as 33 mpg combined (30 city/38 hwy) when equipped with the CVT to as low as 32 mpg combined (29 city/37 hwy) when equipped with the 5-speed manual transmission and the ACTIV trim package, which adds about 1/3 of an inch ride height.

The 2022 Chevy Spark is available in four trim versions: LS, 1LT, ACTIV, and 2LT. All models include standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as two USB ports and an auxiliary input jack, plus a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Upgrading to the $16,495 1LT brings 15-inch alloy wheels, power windows and locks, keyless entry and cruise control, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, a 6-speaker audio system, LED daytime running lights, and more.

The $17,595 ACTIV offers a raised suspension and more rugged styling plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel, roof rails, black bumpers, and halogen headlamps with integrated DRLs. The range-topping 2LT trim, starting from $17,995 offers leatherette-trimmed seating, leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless open and start, rear parking assist, chrome door handles, and more.

Mirage

The 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage is an economical, very affordable subcompact available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. The hatchback starts from $14,645, while the sedan, called the Mirage G4, starts from $15,645.

Both the hatchback and the G4 sedan use the same 1.2-liter inline 3-cylinder rated for 78 peak horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. If those numbers sound small, that’s because they are; the Mirage is one of the least powerful new cars available. The engine is also prone to noise and vibration, especially when working hard. All Mirages come with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, plus a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Four trim lines are offered on the 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage: ES, LE, BE, and SE. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on Mirage ES, but a CVT transmission can be added to ES and is standard on all other trims. The 2022 Mirage G4 scores 35 mpg combined with the 5-speed or 37 mpg combined with the CVT. Hatchback Mirages are slightly more efficient, scoring 37 mpg with the manual or 39 mpg with the CVT.

The base ES model includes a 7-inch display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, hill-start assist, forward-collision mitigation, and Bluetooth. The LE adds 15-inch alloy wheels, halogen foglights, and a range of black-themed visual cues. The Mirage BE starts with all of the Mirage ES features and adds black 15-inch alloy wheels, halogen foglights, black interior trim, a black roof spoiler and side mirror caps, red grille accents, red cloth door inserts, red stitching on the seating surfaces, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and more.

Price, overall size; 5-speed manual and CVT transmissions.

More powerful 4-cylinder engine.

More rear-seat legroom; hatchback and sedan body styles; long warranty.

Which One is Right for Me?

The 2022 Chevrolet Spark is one of the least expensive cars on the U.S. market today but still offers core technology features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Mirage is a frugal subcompact sedan or hatchback with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for one of the lowest prices of any new car in America.

Ready to buy a Chevrolet Spark or Mitsubishi Mirage?Shop for one on sale now near you