AUSTRALIA’S micro car segment enjoyed sales bounce-back in the first quarter of 2017, although the previously dominant Mitsubishi Mirage tested here lost its lead to the Kia Picanto, while the excellent but expensive Holden Spark also cut its lunch. Lucky for Mitsubishi the Suzuki Ignis is classified as an SUV or it would see its market share slip even further.

Competition is clearly hotting up. We spent 10 days living with a Mirage, which was facelifted in March 2016 and has represented the front line in Australia’s budget baby-car battleground since the current-generation car was launched in 2013.

Even in top-spec LS trim the Mirage represents pretty basic motoring, so can it cut the mustard against newer rivals?

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