Used 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Mitsubishi figured the fastest way to bring an electric car to market was to take an existing micro-car platform, add an electric powertrain, and then meet all U.S. safety and emissions requirements needed to bring the car here. That’s the theory behind the 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV, but unfortunately for Mitsubishi, other manufactures have come up with a far better plan. On its surface, the i-MiEV looks like the perfect commuter car, easy to park in small spaces and requiring only an electric charge to send it on its way. But, the i-MiEV is rather crude, both in its technology and interior features. Its biggest plus is the low price, which may be enough to sway those looking for a second car purely for in-town errands.

We give Mitsubishi credit for giving the 2014 i-MiEV responsive steering feel and a very maneuverable platform. However, when it comes to smoothing out road imperfections, the i-MiEV’s suspension appears to be MIA. Power delivery is smooth and strong at first, but once in motion the i-MiEV takes its time getting to 60 mph. For this reason, we don’t recommend prolonged freeway driving. To achieve the 62-mile cruise range, you’ll need to go light on the throttle, and you also won’t want to run the in-cabin heater for fear of draining off precious electrons. To help curb a lead foot and put some regenerative energy back into the car’s battery, the transmission can be put into “Eco” and “B” modes, respectively. We found the “B” mode to be especially helpful when descending hills, where the extra energy we generated with the brakes gave us a little extra juice around town.

The inside of the 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV isn’t all electric-car flash with informational screens to show energy flow or how efficiently the car is being driven. Instead, the look is more like a conventional gasoline-powered car. It uses a regular key, has a regular-looking gas gauge indicating how much “fuel” you have left in your theoretical tank and a regular-looking gear selector. The seats are hard and without much support, rear-seat legroom is minimal and when it gets cold, Mitsubishi advises using the seat heater over the electricity sucking in-cabin heater.

There’s no denying that the 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV has a unique look. With its engine positioned in the rear of the vehicle, this small electro-runner has no need for a long hood. As a result, it sports compact front and rear dimensions and a high roofline – giving it a somewhat jelly-bean-like silhouette. Large windows serve to further cartoonize the i-MiEV hatchback’s distinct dimensions, but they also give the driver a good view of the road – always welcome when darting in and out of city traffic (and avoiding bicycle messengers).

PRICING
With a starting price nearly $6,000 less than the Nissan Leaf, the i-MiEV’s one saving grace is its affordability. Factor in the government’s $7,500 tax credit and California’s $2,500 electric-vehicle incentive credit, and you could conceivably drive away with a brand-new electric car for around $13,000.

SPACE-EFFICIENT DESIGN
The i-MiEV design may not be beautiful, but it is efficient. The tall profile, big windows and hatchback design maximize space, as does the clever compact electric motor and a battery pack placed underneath the rear seat.

A 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV ES comes equipped with niceties like a front-seat heaters, a 50/50-split/folding reclining rear seat, a 4-speaker 100-watt audio system, auxiliary 12-volt DC power outlet, battery warmer, 8A/12A switchable battery charging cable, fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and power operation of the windows, mirrors and locks. A quick-charging port for public charging stations (known as a “Level 3” charger – good for an 80-percent charge in about a half hour) is also standard.

Options for the i-MiEV are limited to a few accessories such as rear backup sensors, a USB adapter for iPod, interior illumination kit and body side molding. The standard 120-volt plug-in charge takes almost a full day, so we recommend getting the 240-volt “Level 2” charging station, which can be purchased through Best Buy’s Geek Squad and installed in your home garage for faster charging (about 7.0 hours).

The electric heart of the 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV isn’t under the hood – it’s behind the rear seat. Comprised of an electric motor, a fixed reduction gear transmission and a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery (with an 8-year, 100,000-mile limited warranty), this powertrain delivers 66 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque to the Mitsu’s rear wheels. It can go up to 80 mph, so short freeway jaunts are very doable, provided you have enough charge in the battery. On a regular 120-volt home outlet, a full charge for the i-MiEV will take 22.5 hours. On a 240-volt outlet, about seven hours. A public quick-charging station – not a common sight just yet outside of major cities – will charge the battery to 80% in a matter of 30 minutes.

AC synchronous permanent magnetic motor
16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack
66 horsepower @ 3,000-6,000 rpm
145 lb-ft of torque @ 0-300 rpm
Projected per-charge range: 62 miles