2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Reviews
Others say there’s no way the Mitsubishi i-MiEV will fit American frames comfortably. Many reviewers are impressed with the i-MiEv’s performance on the road; the car has more strength than its small frame suggests. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is top heavy, making it susceptible to crosswinds. Mitsubishi says the i-MiEV averages about 80 miles on a fully charged battery, depending on road and weather conditions. Reviewers say about 50 miles per charge is a realistic range. Eco mode decreases horsepower and allows the brakes to regenerate battery power. After testing the Japanese version of the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV, reviewer opinion doesn’t reveal anything unexpected about the world of electric cars: the i-MiEV is small; battery range is nothing compared to gasoline engines; chargers are scarce; batteries take too long to recharge; and the interior is cramped.
If you're considering buying a pure electric car that seats more than two people, then right now your choices are pretty slim, as in you have just one: the Nissan Leaf. Even at that tempting price, the base ES version of the Mitsubishi i is no stripper, as standard niceties include full power accessories, filtered air-conditioning and even a heated driver seat. For a couple grand more, the SE version adds alloy wheels, upgraded interior trim and upgraded audio. Mitsubishi is claiming a range of 85 miles, which is a bit less than the 100 miles promised by the Nissan Leaf. Charging times vary according to what system you have. A "Level 3" public quick-charging dock can provide 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes, provided you opted for the SE Premium package.
At 2,600 pounds, the Mitsu is fairly light for an electric car; the Nissan Leaf weighs about 700 pounds more. Of course, other all-electric cars are on the horizon as well, one of the more notable ones being the Ford Focus Electric.
The estimated price will be $30,000 before the $7,500 federal tax credit for which electric cars are eligible. The Mitsubishi i-MiEV (pronounced "meev") originally stood for Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle, but the company now uses MiEV to represent the electric drivetrain, with the tagline "powered by MiEV."
Exterior
At 144.8 inches in length, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV is about an inch shorter than the Mini Cooper and more than 3 feet longer than the Smart ForTwo, a two-seater. It's taller than both at 63.6 inches.
Interior
The i-MiEV's interior is roomier than one might expect, with surprising headroom thanks to the car's tall stature. The i-MiEV's drivetrain consists of a 330-volt lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 16 kilowatt-hours of storage, a 63-horsepower electric motor and rear-wheel drive. When equipped with a second charging port, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV can be charged to 80 percent (roughly 80 miles of range) in 30 minutes using a quick-charge station.