as organic. The dash, controls, even the seating seem totally natural.

Controls are where they should be without searching and they operate easily

and logically. The seats are comfortable and supportive--surprisingly so

for a car in this entry level segment. And the driver-side height adjustability

feature makes the Mirage useful to a wide range of body types.

Slim roof pillars and the large, raked windshield provide excellent

vision in all quarters, as well as an open feel to the cabin.

Mitusbishi has obviously done its homework with the interior color schemes

and fabric selection, which has a quality feel and should bear up well

over the long haul.

A surprisingly thoughtful touch: sun visor extensions to block those

rays that always seem to filter in around the inside rear view mirror and

directly into your eyes. It's a feature we usually associate with much

more expensive cars.

We were also favorably surprised by the low interior noise level. The

Mirage is exceptionally quiet for a small car, another sign that Mitsubishi

has taken pains with quality. There's not much wind noise, and very little

road noise filters up through the suspension components.

Like all cars, a variety of sound systems are available for the Mirage.

They range from a basic AM/FM radio, to radio/cassette or radio/CD combinations.

All of the sound systems we sampled were more than adequate and excelled

in ease of deciphering how to operate. This was also true of heat and ventilation

controls, as well as other functions on the dash.

A word of caution here. If bottom line cost is a major issue--and it

usually is in this class--weigh your option selections carefully; the extras

can add up quickly.

So what interior upgrades or options really matter? Since modern car

marketing has options grouped by packages, it makes little sense to list

individual options.

Suffice it to say that most of the amenities which add to the cost of

the car will also add to its value later on as a resale.

Some specific items (which are part of packages) we feel add significantly

to the liveability of the Mirage are the tilt steering wheel, the 60/40

split-folding rear seatback (to expand cargo capacity), and power door

locks. All of these items are part of an option group that also includes

power windows and remote adjusting mirrors.