Mitsubishi’s small five-door hatchback has started its life as the sixth generation Mirage, and it has now returned in a redesigned form. This little city car is called Space Star in Singapore, and it doesn’t differ significantly from the rest of the offerings in the class. In essence, you can’t expect one of the cheapest cars on the market to be the best, especially when it comes to performance and equipment. So far, the Space Star has received mixed reviews, with many being on the negative part of the spectrum. But, is there anything particularly good about this car? We’ve taken a closer look, and here are our two cents.

AT A GLANCE

Upsides:

• Design
• Fuel economy
• Six airbags

Downsides:

• Handling
• Overall performance

Design: 5.0 / 5.0

If there’s anything where the Space Star is on top of its game, it’s the design. The facelift gave the car a new, more attractive front fascia, as well as new LED front and rear lights. The result of that makeover is pretty evident, as the Space Star now looks much cooler than it did before, when it had an undefined front grille which gives it no character at all. In the market segment where design comes as a necessity, the Space Star is a refreshing alternative.

Engines, drivetrain, and performance: 2.0 / 5.0

Now, the worst, most disappointing part of the Space Star is under the bodywork. The car is powered by a 1.2l DOHC MIVEC 3-cylinder engine with 78 horsepower mated to a CVT transmission unit. One of the biggest selling points of this car is its great fuel efficiency, rated at 23.3km/l by the factory. While 78 horsepower is alright for a city car, and despite the 4,6m turning radius, the Space Star is actually rather poor when it comes to handling. Its steering is imprecise, and the general driving feel is pretty bad, and that’s by all accounts its biggest flaw.

Trim levels: 4.0 / 5.0

We’ve already stressed the fact that the Space Star has LED rear and front lights, but what about the rest of the equipment? The Space Star has keyless entry, adjustable steering wheel column, parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain sensors and automatic air conditioning, but it lacks many other conveniences, such as electric seats, remote boot release, infotainment and panoramic roof. Still, the Space Star is quite a well-equipped car considering the class and the price.

Safety: 4.0 / 5.0

When it comes to Space Star’s safety, it is worth noting that the car has six airbags, which is a very convenient feature, especially in its class. Also, there’s ABS, as well as electronic brakeforce distribution. On the other hand, the Space Star doesn’t have traction control and it has rear drum brakes. All in all, the Space Star could be considered a safe vehicle.

Conclusion: 3.75 / 5.0

Like almost every car at the bottom of the price range, the Mitsubishi Space Star has its ups and downs, some virtues and a bit more flaws. The design and safety are its strongest points, followed by a decent list of equipment and convenience, but its performance casts a big shadow on the overall impression.