Mitsubishi Colt 2006 Review

What we liked
>> Roomy with big seats
>> Solid performance and economy
>> Value-packed ES entry level

OVERVIEW
The Australian market is littered with models that bombed, not because they were bad cars but rather were priced or packaged incorrectly.

The Mitsubishi Colt LS auto as launched in 2004 might have sold up a storm in Europe but not here. Its $18,990 entry pricing pitched it against the next size segment up, yet it looked and felt like the Light car it was.

As more buyers have recognized that downsizing from a Medium or Large family car to a Small car such as a Corolla/Astra/Focus/Mazda3 doesn't generate the expected savings in running costs, the Light car segment has boomed. From a low of 7.6 per cent of the Australian market in 2002, the Light segment hit a July 2006 peak of 12.7 per. When Light cars priced in the $15-17,000 price range sell at almost double the rate of similar models priced above and below this price point, Mitsubishi had to act quickly or let the Colt get left behind.

The good news is that Mitsubishi has bitten the bullet and re-packaging the Colt range: the previously $18,990 LS auto has been replaced by a manual-only ES for $15,990; an upgraded LS is offered in manual and auto with no price increase for the auto; and a new 'hero' VR-X manual model starting at $19,990 supplements the previous VR-X auto.

There's even a new and uncompromising Colt Ralliart (see CarPoint's separate review later in the week) and a folding hardtop Colt Cabriolet is due later in 2006 to complete a range that spans up to $30,000.

The Colt is a more expensive car than its rivals -- slightly bigger and developed in Germany in partnership with Mercedes-Benz to provide a shared platform for the smart forfour.

It also offers a powerful 1.5-litre engine as standard. Styling hard-points dictated by the Mercedes-Benz connection leave it with a similar profile to the current A-Class and a safety rail crash protection system. The European Colt and smart forfour are built together in the same Dutch facility as earlier small Volvos.

Australian-delivered Colts are one of the few cars in this price range still built in Japan -- a good thing for local buyers. The Japanese dash design is more mature and the chrome grille loses the ugly centre tonsil that ruins the look of other Mitsubishis worldwide. For some, this also gives it an advantage over the Honda Jazz which is now sourced duty-free from Thailand.

While the Colt displays its fair share of cost cutting to get in below $16,000, it doesn't feel cheap in the way it drives. A friend who has just traded her Mazda 121 "bubble" car on the latest Colt ES noted that her Mazda 121 cost over $15,000 in 1991. She can't believe that for just $400 more and 15-years later, she gets a much more powerful engine, better economy, full electrics, ABS brakes, twin airbags, superior gearbox, more flexible luggage space and a car that generally feels more "grown-up".

The value in this segment highlights why there is now a waiting list for the more popular contenders.

The latest Colt's new selling point is its new Getrag five-speed manual gearbox, offers German precision not normally experienced at this level. It is the same brand used in BMWs.

The INVECS III CVT auto is still offered as an option. While the CVT provides seamless changing, it cannot match the performance and involvement of the new manual transmission which transforms the base Colt into a sharper-edged, sportier drive.

Mitsubishi once had a strong foothold in the Light car price segment with its popular Lancer Coupe and Mirage hatch. Both cars combined the front section of the larger Lancer with cheaper rear sections to compete against a range of cheaper and smaller rivals. Although the Colt replaces these models, it is a very different car. If buyers can get over its more upright looks, the comfort and space on offer are surprising.

Mitsubishi also offers another clincher. Its normal five year/130,000km warranty (whichever comes first) and five-year Roadside Assist expands to 10 years/160,000km for the powertrain but only if you hang onto the car.

This is long enough to see it through an initial role as a second family car, "learn to drive" car for several teenagers then runabout transport as they complete tertiary study.

As a manual only, it comes with centre handbrake and centre console. Wheels are 14-inch steel with full wheel covers while the spare is a space saver -- par for the course in this size and price range for models that see more 'local' use than most.

For $17,490, the manual LS gains 14-inch alloy wheels and a six-stacker CD system over the ES. The LS auto at $18,990 shares the same extra features but has a column-mounted gear selector and foot-operated parking brake.

The new VR-X manual for $19,990 adds extra styling detail including front fog lamps, dark headlamp surrounds, black grille mesh, side skirts, rear spoiler, larger 15-inch alloys and chrome exhaust tip. Inside, alloy sports pedals, leather steering wheel, front sports seats with armrests, privacy glass, deodorising head lining and overhead sunglasses holder distinguish it from lesser models.

The VR-X auto is different from the manual in detail, adding the column-mounted gear selector/foot-operated parking brake, a unique high contrast instrument cluster, a tray-type centre console system, larger front disc brakes and rear disc brakes (to replace the standard rear drums) for a total of $21,990. The extra braking power is to counter the loss of engine braking with the CVT transmission.

Any colour other than white will cost $300 extra and security conscious owners will need to find another $300 for a rear luggage cover/parcel shelf otherwise just about everything you would expect at this price is there.

An electric sunroof option only at VR-X level will add $1600. There is also a wide range of dress-up items that generate some serious attitude.

Be aware that the ES is stripped to the bones in price with little margin for haggling and extras. It's a price leader to get you into the showroom, so you will be tempted to buy an LS or VR-X. Because the ES is better than most of its type, the only external sign of it being the cheapie is the steel wheels, already good enough for a runabout. 

COMFORT
As mentioned earlier, the Colt is usefully bigger in most dimensions than the light car norm and backs it up with more accommodating seats (larger in fact than those you sometimes find in the next segment up). The Colt's design links are obvious here (it's built to 'fit'  larger Europeans) with plenty of head and leg room also apparent.

The rear seat has a slide function allowing you to choose between passenger and luggage space. All driver's seats have height adjustment.

Although the Colt has a five-seat capacity, the rear seat split fold is 50:50, not 60:40, indicating that it is more comfortable as a four-seater. Adjustable head restraints are supplied for four occupants.

The rear seat backs fold or the whole rear seat can be moved forward, lifted, tumbled then parked against the front seats for maximum floor space. While good, it is not as effective as those cars that drop their seats into the floor. Big drivers also need to make sure they can still fit behind the wheel when the rear seats are in this stored position.

The same seat cloth is used at all levels and feels a better quality than usual at this price. The dash and doors are the usual hard plastic but at least they look the part.

The Colt's steering column offers tilt but not reach adjustment. That said, the driving position is very good with the car's low waistline, long windscreen and extra front and rear side windows all contributing to an outstanding view of the road. Along with the square tail treatment and low rear window line, this is an easy and safe car to maneouvre.

Twin trip meters, tacho and temperature gauge, raised heater and ventilation controls, raised sound system controls with big display screen in the VR-X, power window switches in the driver's armrest, electric mirrors and armrests on all doors contribute to the Colt's ease of operation and comfort.

Its vertical hatchback with deep aperture, no loading lip and ideal load height is much easier on the back than many larger hatchbacks.

Mitsubishi says it has this covered. Its new RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) system has straight rails running from front to rear with an octagonal cross section structure and reinforced pillars designed to direct impact forces away from the cabin. It generates a four-star rating in EuroNCAP testing.

There are the usual side impact bars in the doors and the brake pedal moves away from the driver in a head-on collision to reduce leg injuries.

Mitsubishi claims the high-mounted taillights reduce the risk of rear-end crashes. The vertical rear hatch and rear wheels mounted at the extremities provide some rear crash protection when crash loads can be fed into the roof, body sides, floor crash rails and rear tyres before impacting on the rear seat. It can't match a larger sedan but it's better than those which have less structure between bumper and rear seat. Family buyers should be aware that rear impact protection is not tested in most crash tests.

All Colts have the latest four-channel, four-sensor ABS with EBD and brake assist. There are airbags for both front occupants and seat belt pre-tensioners also standard. There is only a centre lap belt in the rear.  

MECHANICAL
The Colt's MIVEC 1.5-litre engine features variable valve timing, an efficient short-stroke configuration, dual manifold cat converters, low-friction pistons and multi-nozzle injectors. It delivers 77kW/6000 rpm and 141Nm/4000 rpm.

This is markedly better than its 1.3-litre rivals but not quite as powerful as the 1.5-litre units in the Honda Jazz (optional) or the Mazda2.

Mitsubishi has chosen to exploit the Colt's 0.31 Cd low-drag body with a modest trade-off in power and torque to achieve benchmark combined fuel figures of 5.6lt/100km for the auto and 5.9lt/100km for the manual. These stats either match or better most 1.3-litre models.

The relatively strong torque figure allows overdrive fourth and fifth gears in the new five-speed manual.

Front and rear suspension designs are conventional: front MacPherson struts and a torsion beam rear axle for a low and wide load platform.

Mitsubishi claims that a full-length flat-section front cross-member increases rigidity. A three-point hydraulic engine mount system with stabilizers attached to this cross-member isolate noise and vibration.

Front disc brakes/rear drums are also normal for this size but the upgraded all-wheel disc brakes in the VR-X auto are better than average.

Steering is electric power-assisted rack and pinion which allows for more precise control of assistance levels. A turning circle of 9.4m is handy in tight areas although this increases to 9.8m on the VR-X with its bigger wheels.

Compared to its main five-door carry-all rivals, the Honda Jazz and Mazda2, the Colt looks more mature. An all new Mazda2 due in 2007 threatens to re-write the rules but until then, the Mazda2 is gutsier and thirstier while the Jazz yields on its standard 1.3-litre engine. The Colt's better equipment, 1.5-litre engine and extra size now have the jump in several areas at $15,990.

Mitsubishi loads its LS model with alloys and six-stacker CD to maintain this lead against the 1.5 Jazz and upper Mazda2 model.

The Toyota Yaris is a convincing, more modern rival even if it is a 1.3-litre at entry level. It has a quality feel but its packaging as a hatchback is not as versatile or roomy as the Colt. 

It is interesting that the top-selling Suzuki Swift ($15,990-19,990) does not figure in Mitsubishi's profile of rivals but on paper at least, it has the Colt's measure in engine size, features and price. Styling and packaging for your intended purpose are the only way you will split them. That said we're big fans of the little Suzuki…

The Hyundai Getz ($13,990-18,380) charts a middle course with its 1.4-litre engine and more mainstream styling. The Getz improves with every facelift although suspension tune for local conditions is still not a strong point. The Hyundai's Kia Rio twin offers a powerful 1.5-litre engine but can't match the Colt's Euro-feel.

VW's base $16,990 Polo is also in the hunt but its smaller 1.4-litre engine and lower equipment levels for the money exact a premium for the VW name and dynamics.

Last but not least is the best in this category but because of its European origins cannot match the others on equipment and price. The Ford Fiesta kicks of at $15,990 and is the only one to deliver levels of finish, refinement and performance at this level approaching the larger VW Golf with its willing 1.6-litre engine and superior dynamics. Its sportier looks are also no match for Colt versatility and space. 
  

The most impressive aspect was the suspension control and lack of body roll that allowed the driver to quickly forget the car's more upright stance. Although the seats look relatively flat, they are soft enough to mould around you and take the edge out of the firm ride.

Where the hi-po Colt Ralliart (see separate review) would suffer some bump steer, the everyday Colt would soak up most bumps and hold its course with neutral handling. It has the composure of a bigger car when a higher ground clearance than usual seems to have left it with reasonable suspension travel.

The engine is a sweet, willing worker that can get a little vocal under load but it does pull strongly under 60km/h. On the open highway, its tall fifth gear demands a shift back to fourth on long hills. The Getrag gearbox with its German precision and ease of operation is a welcome change from the sometimes lifeless or baulky gear changes in some of the Colts rivals.

Although the dash and controls are basic, the cabin is not unpleasant for a long trip.

Even with two hefty males up front and overnight luggage in the boot, the Colt seemed spritely and swallowed more than its short-tailed design would suggest. How it would ride and handle with four onboard remains to be seen but in this configuration it was smooth and balanced.

Providing you didn't need to carry big loads, there seems to be enough in reserve to make it a frugal, occasional interstate cruiser as well as a local runabout.