2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Gets a Big Price Reduction

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric car didn't have a 2013 model. Instead, dealers sold what was left of the 2012 stock. That's changing for 2014, as there will be a bona-fide '14 model year. However, there's bigger news: The subcompact EV will get a whopping price cut of more than $6,000 while adding more standard features.

A '14 i-MiEV will start at $22,995—$6,130 less than the previous model. After the $7,500 federal tax incentive, this brings the cost down to $15,495. Places such as California have another incentive of up to $2,500, making the price $12,995. Now that's a pretty darn good deal.

The new i-MiEV also now comes with features such as heated front seats, a CHAdeMO DC-quick-charge port; a battery warming system, heated side mirrors, rear door speakers, leather-covered steering wheel, fog lights, aluminum wheels, and more.

We reviewed the i-MiEV and found it great in the city and so-so on the highway. The interior was Spartan and the vehicle had a range of 62 miles (less than the Spark EV). However, at the new price, perhaps Mitsubishi might coerce some people who were thinking about an EV to actually take the plunge.

Of small tires and economy cars

Recently, I posed the question to the Subcompact Culture Facebook page about who had the car with the smallest tires. I think the smallest was a 4.8-8" tires on a Messerschmitt mini car. Next smallest was 165/70/10 on the Micro Image Subaru 360.

The smallest tires I personally had were 145/80/12 on our 1979 Honda Civic 1200. That thing cut through the snow like a hot knife through butter, as evidenced by the video we shot of it in college. Other "small rollers" I remember having were the 175/70/13 tires on our Dodge Colts (yes, we were repeat offenders) growing up.

This got me to thinking: What's the smallest sized tire currently available on the U.S. market? Diameter wise, I believe that goes to the 14" wheels/tires available on the Hyundai Accent. In fact, I think it's the only 2012 to come with 14s wrapped in 175/70/14 tires.

Width wise, the Mitsubishi i has the narrowest rollers at 145/65/15 on the fronts.

It's amazing to me how 15s and 16s are now standard fare on the vast majority of small cars, when not that long ago (as late 1995)  you could still buy a Geo Metro with 145/80/12 tires, and in the '80s, there were plenty of cars on 13s.

Review: 2012 Mitsubishi i SE: A silent itty-bitty city slicker

Interesting? Yes. Intriguing? Yep. Itty bitty? Correct. Intelligent? Also correct. The 2012 “i” MiEV (Mitsubishi i zero emission, 100% electric vehicle) recently graced our driveway with its presence for several days. The fun, quirky, and extremely efficient four-passenger, five-door hatch-back consistently turned heads, whether we had it plugged in and charging at home, or were touring anywhere around town. With a top mile range of only 62 miles per charge, we planned out several city trips for the week’s duration while making sure we stayed close to home, or within an acceptable range of several charging stations in the Portland, OR area.

In the driveway: 2012 Mitsubishi MiEV

Every now and then I get to review a car that a lot of people are very curious about. The Mitsubishi MiEV is one of them. Parked next to my co-worker's huge Chevy, the i looks even smaller than it really is. Lots of co-workers have noticed it and want to check it out.

Being 100% electric, there are all kinds of new things to figure out with the car. How much range you lose with the heater. How to open the charging ports. Where the hell to plug the thing in. I got the rundown from the fleet company last night. Very interesting vehicle.

Rear drive, rear motor, rear battery. Tiny 145/65/15 tires up front (yes 145mm). I've only put about 12 miles on it thus far, but it is very different than the Nissan Leaf. It does not feel as substantial nor as powerful. It also doesn't have quite the range.

I actually like the look; it's almost a bit alien. I expect a flock of rubberneckers when Mercedes and I drive it around Portland tomorrow. This will continue to be interesting, I'm sure. Stay tuned.

Driven: Mitsubishi i-MiEV

You don't just expect to see a Mitsubishi i-MiEV everywhere. In fact, in the U.S., you don't expect to see it anywhere, at least not yet. But this will soon change. Targeting a fall 2011 release, the i-MiEV (innovative Mitsubishi Electric Vehicle) will be available to government and corporate agencies first, then to the public. Mitsubishi had the little i-MiEV subcompact available for short test drives at the Run to the Sun event, and it was certainly an interesting vehicle to drive.

Unlike the forthcoming Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt, the i-MiEV is a kei car. The test model was straight from Japan—note the right-hand drive layout (assume North American models will be driven from the left side). The interior is Spartan but comfortable, at least in the front seat, and features all of the amenities you'd expect in any usual car. The rear seat, however, didn't have much leg room, even for my not-so-huge 5' 7" frame. Short of this, the car seemed very practical and usable for daily commutes or hauling cargo.

Driving the car is really easy. Simply shift its automatic transmission in to "D" and go. There is also an eco mode for increased efficiency. Power isn't abundant, certainly adequate for city jaunts. I didn't get the i-MiEV up past about 40 mph, but it did feel confident at such speeds. Speed demons take note—Mitsubishi says the i-MiEV tops out at 81 mph. Being this was the first right-hand drive vehicle, each time I went to use the turn signal, I switched on the wipers; the signals are on the right side of the steering column.

Under the Japanese 10-15 urban driving pattern, the i-MiEV will do about 80-100 miles on a charge. Charging takes 12–14 hours on 110V, 6–8 hours on 220V, and 20 minutes for an 80% charge (or 1 hour for a full charge) at a three-phase Quickcharge station.

Mitsubishi estimates prices to be below $30,000 before government incentives.

i-MiEV would make a great runabout due to its four doors, ability to seat four (so long as you aren't too tall), and halfways decent cargo area (for a subcompact). Frankly, I think the i-MiEV looks cooler than the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, too. Like all fully electric vehicles, the big questions is whether or not people will actually shell out the substantially higher prices for a practical, safe EV. However, the i-MiEV certainly seems like a solid, practical EV choice.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV Cargo

Perhaps you've seen the Mitsubishi i-MiEV before. It's a little Kei-sized vehicle that's all electric. Now, Mitsubishi is coming out with a cargo-carrying variant of the pint-sized EV at the Tokyo Auto Show.

The i-MiEV Cargo has a cargo area that' 53" x 46.5" x 43" and has a completely flat floor. The vehicle's overall length is just 133.6" long, or about 16" shorter than a Toyota Yaris.