Auto Trader Ten Point Test: Mitsubishi i

Model tested: Mitsubishi i 660cc Turbo 5dr Automatic
Price as tested: £8,999
Range price: £8,999
Insurance group as tested: 5 (TBC)
Insurance group range: 5 (TBC)
Date tested: June 2007
Road tester: Adrian Hearn

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 81%

With congested cities and carbon footprints at the top of the political agenda, urban motorists are looking for smaller cars which offer practicality, while keeping your green conscience clean.

The Mitsubishi i is the first Japanese K-car to hit the UK. It’s been designed to follow strict Japanese guidelines and has been a massive success in the technological capital of the world.

But while it’s becoming an icon in Tokyo, how would it fair in the UK’s choc-a-block cities. Adrian Hearn was among the first UK journalists to find out.  

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor | Rivals

1. Looks

The i’s looks have a genuine love it or hate it feel. Its provocative front reminds us of a magnified insect, while the rear and side of the car are more conservative looking. Its high roofline gives a mini-MPV impression similar to a cross between a Citroen Xsara Picasso and a Smart while the 15-inch alloys add an element of sportiness. Our model was a challenging yellow colour, but finished in a more conventional colour such as silver, the i's desirability improves substantially. 

7/10

2. Looks inside

The interior is very chic. All dials are easy to understand with a digital speedo surrounded by a more traditional rev counter. The seats are comfortable and can easily seat four adults. The centre console is dominated by the CD player with its large dials and the climate-control dials are chunky and easy to use.  

8/10

3. Practicality

While it is a small city car, there is plenty of room. This is down to the i's long wheelbase. Thanks to the high roof, the i can comfortably accommodate tall drivers and passengers, while there is a surprising amount of space in the rear. With the engine situated beneath the boot, luggage space is reduced, but there is still enough room for a weekly shop. But be aware of putting frozen products and milk in the boot as the engine could defrost the items and make the milk curdle. The rear seats fold down flat giving further space. The engine’s positioning makes parking an easy job as you’re closer to the front of the car and vision is improved.

10/10

 

4. Ride and Handling

Being a small car with a high roofline (1.6-metres) suggests a large amount of body roll. It’s not as bad as the soft suspension suggested and manages roundabouts and sharp corners fairly comfortably. The ride and automatic gearbox are both smooth.  

7/10

5. Performance

Due to Japanese regulations, a K-car’s engine must not exceed 660cc or a power output of 64bhp. The i produces 57bhp enabling acceleration from 0-62 mph (100kph) in 14.9 seconds on to 84mph. But as it’s designed for driving around urban areas rather than motorways the top speed is academic. Its burst to 20mph is great and when the automatic gearbox kicks down and you hit the optimum pull of 3000rpm, the i is great fun.

8/10

6. Running Costs

Available in one version only, the £9,000 i seems initially as an expensive choice. But equivalently spec’d smart cars and Citroen C1 are similarly priced, but adverts often promote the cheapest car in the range, while showing a more expensive model.  With a combined fuel economy of 54.6mpg, you could drive the i from Land’s End to John O’Groats for £60. It emits 114g/km of carbon dioxide meaning tax band B with an annual bill of just £35. Mitsubishi is expecting the i to be put into insurance group five, meaning premiums shouldn’t hit the roof.

9/10

7. Reliability

While it’s new to the UK, the i has been a phenomenon in Japan, shifting 37,000 units since January last year. There doesn’t appear to be any issues with reliability and Mitsubishi has a strong name for build quality and dependability. As with all Mitsubishis the i comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, 12-year anti-perforation warranty and three-year European breakdown cover.

8/10

8. Safety

Some feel  lack of protection from small cars, particular with fears for leg injuries with them being right at the front of the car. With the engine mounted at the rear of the car, the driver and passengers are at less threat in a front-on collision with the i having special crumple zones. The i is fitted with two front airbags, while there are ISOFIX child seat mounting points in the rear. The i also boasts anti-lock brakes and EBD (electronic brake distribution) as standard, which helps adjust the braking performance between the front and rear wheels. While it won’t initially be tested in EuroNCAP crash tests, Mitsubishi has carried out provisional tests suggesting it will receive a 5-star JNCAP rating, which is a Japanese rating similar to the European equivalent. Vision is also improved at night with the i benefiting from halogen lights.

8/10

9. Equipment

The i is a well equipped city car. Standard features include air-conditioning, central locking, remote entry, all-round electric windows and an engine immobiliser. 

8/10

10. X-Factor

Mitsubishi will only be importing 300 i cars in the short term, making it a more exclusive city motor than the bigger selling smart series. It’s a funky runabout which offers space, practicality, yet is smaller than the average supermini. And this size, with the competent automatic gearbox makes driving through congested areas a walk in the park – but not in the colour we tested, unless you want abuse from school children.  

8/10

Rivals

You might also want to consider:
Smart ForTwo
Citroen C1
Kia Picanto

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