You never talk about the Mitsubishi i-MIEV. Is it a good city car?
– Christian
Hello. The Mitsubishi i-MIEV is one of the first 100% electric cars to enter the Canadian market. Unfortunately, this electric vehicle was not designed for North American needs. Its very compact size, its lack of real trunk, the little equipment, a singular design, a low autonomy and a high price did not contribute to make it popular. On the other hand, it is necessary to put in context the objective and the mission behind the design of the i-MIEV: the city and only the city.
In fact, if we only take into account an urban aim, the i-MIEV has everything to succeed. Its agility and small turning circle make it pleasant in tight spaces. In addition, its range of 96 kilometers is technically more than enough for the majority of city dwellers and even suburbanites. After all, it has a 16kWh battery, which is quite interesting depending on its size.
The 63 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque that all go to the rear wheels also serve the vehicle well, considering its weight. In other words, it is interesting if you limit your movements in the city. However, one should avoid the highway where the car lacks power. It is very sensitive to side winds due to the height of its walls. The driving experience in this situation does indeed become downright unpleasant.
You have to consider the i-MIEV for what it is: a strict urban one. Under these conditions, it fulfills its task well, but nothing more. The cabin is cramped both at the front and at the rear, there is no trunk and the equipment is conspicuous by its absence. To this, let’s add that the recharging time is longer than average: 14 hours on a 120V outlet and 7 hours on the 240V. Unfortunately, considering its age, the i-MIEV is not able to go on a 400V terminal.
Finally, even if it is a product that has demonstrated exemplary reliability, negotiate the price strongly. And to answer your other question, we hardly ever talk about this model because there are significantly better and more comprehensive offers on the market.