In the form of the G4, the Mirage comes as a small sub-compact sedan targeting first-time car owners and buyers who are in need of the very basic necessities of modern mobility. Recently, the Mirage G4 received some new “updates” that the Japanese automaker hopes are enough to keep people interested in it.

I got my hands on the Mirage G4 GLS, the range-topping variant, to see if it has enough appeal in a segment that is now being dominated by bigger, more affordable electrified models.

In terms of design, the Mirage remains the same as the last major facelift that took place a few years ago; the major changes apply to the newly designed 15-inch rims and the smoked-out rear taillights. I think overall, it carries the previous iteration of the Dynamic Shield design philosophy well without looking too old or out of place. At the very least, in the GLS variant you get LED DRLs and headlights, with fog lights remaining halogen. The most telltale sign that you’re driving the top-spec is the keyless entry buttons found on the door and on the trunk lid, which on a car like this matters more than people think.

Inside the G4 GLS, you also get a very familiar interior layout; nothing is out of place, just basic. The interior is dominated by hard plastics, with the only soft-touch leather materials applied to the gear lever and steering wheel. The most technology you get is the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment screen that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and is surprisingly more responsive and quicker to connect and access than the more expensive head units in the XForce and Destinator (based on my experience). The GLS trim also means you get a single zone automatic climate control system, steering wheel audio controls, a rear center armrest with two cupholders, a reverse camera, and a push-to-start button.

One element that has stayed constant with the Mirage G4 across the years is the powertrain, which is a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated 3-cylinder gasoline engine that makes 78 horsepower and 100 Nm of torque. The power is sent to the front wheels via a CVT unit, and in terms of safety, the G4 has ABS, dual front airbags, hill-start assist, and traction control. You’ll find no ADAS systems here, which is fine considering the market this car is supposed to serve.

Driving the Mirage G4 has always been a breeze; the car itself is light, which means the steering is effortless. Not to mention that its proportions mean that it’ll fit into most (if not all) roads and parking slots found in the Philippines. What I did appreciate about the G4 is how well-tuned to our terrible roads the suspension is. It manages to be sedan-like in comfort, but not too soft as to disturb the cabin when driving over the potholes and uneven surfaces. You can also tell the chassis was built to last; there’s a solidity to the way the Mirage G4 feels on the road.

Speed isn’t a priority in the G4, but at the very least, the engine does a good job of being adequate in the city and on the highway. Even with 2 passengers and some cargo, I didn’t feel the need to rev the nuts out of the engine when driving on the expressway; you can gently reach 100 km/h without impeding traffic or stressing out the car.

I have to give praise to the engine in terms of fuel efficiency as well; in a world of hybrids, this simple engine can sip fuel as best as an ICE can. In the city, heavy traffic gets me 9 km/L, and on the highway it can get as high as 16 km/L; I noticed that a full tank range can be 500 kilometers above if driven efficiently. I do have to point out, though, that the 3-cylinder isn’t smooth or quiet; it tends to sound and feel rough under certain conditions, but not in a completely off-putting way.

Here’s where things get tricky: price. The Mirage G4 GLS costs P 937,000, which is dangerously close to the bigger Vios (XLE), or even the mind-bogglingly affordable and better-equipped BYD Seal 5 DM-i. The truth is, there isn’t much incentive for people to get the GLS variant; in my mind, the mid-grade GLX, which is just P 841,000 minus a few features here and there, is the best choice in the whole range since it has all the essentials anyway.

Overall, though, the Mirage is as straightforward as it gets; I have no qualms with it apart from the GLS’ high price. Honestly, at this price point I can’t complain, but the reality is there isn’t much to complain about in the first place; the Mirage G4’s purpose lies in its simplicity, dependability, and practicality.