Nissan Versa or Mitsubishi Mirage: which is better on a tight budget?

Under the hood, the third-generation Versa, sold in Canada from 2021 to 2025 according to Nissan Canada, has a 1.6 L four-cylinder: 122 hp and 114 lb-ft according to The Car Guide's spec sheet. The Mirage uses a 1.2 L three-cylinder: 78 hp and 74 lb-ft according to the same source. It makes up for it with light weight: 940 kg for a 2024 Mirage ES, versus 1,207 kg for a 2025 Versa S.

Even with its extra 267 kg, the Versa keeps the edge: about 9.9 kg per horsepower, versus 12.1 for the Mirage (our calculation, from these spec sheets). Behind the wheel, that means one simple thing: on Highway 10 or on the climb toward Orford with four people aboard, the Versa has something in reserve. The Mirage gets there too, but it asks you to plan your merge and keep your momentum. In the city, between two lights, the gap matters far less, and at 3.85 m long, it fits into spaces where a 4.5 m sedan won't.

Both are front-wheel drive, offered with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and, for some model years, a five-speed manual, according to Natural Resources Canada. The transmission is shown on each listing.

It's the first question people ask about the Versa, and it's the right one. The harshest criticism of its CVT, in Quebec reviews as well as in owner complaint databases, mainly targets Versas from previous generations. The sedan sold in Canada from 2021 to 2025 is a new generation, according to Nissan Canada's press kit. A new generation doesn't prove better reliability; nor are complaints about the old ones enough to condemn this one.

Insist on the maintenance history, have the transmission inspected, and on the test drive look for jerks, unusual noises and hesitation under acceleration. The Mirage also has a CVT: the same check applies to it.

That's the paradox of this duel: the shorter of the two claims the larger volume behind the rear seat. The Mirage, a 3,846 mm five-door hatchback, is rated at 484 L, and up to 1,331 L with the seat folded. The Versa, a 4,495 mm sedan, 649 mm longer, offers a trunk of 416 to 425 L depending on the version.

To load a tall box or a child's bike, the edge goes to the Mirage's hatch: its full-height opening makes the job easier, whereas the Versa makes you go through the trunk opening. In return, the sedan keeps your luggage out of sight, a real plus when the car spends the day in a parking lot.

One detail to watch for on the Versa: in 2024, the S has a 416 L trunk and a fixed rear seatback, according to Nissan Canada's press kit; the SV and SR go to 425 L with a 60/40 folding seatback. If you carry long items, aim for an SV or an SR. The Mirage has a 60/40 rear seat on all its 2024 versions, according to Mitsubishi Canada's spec sheet.

The shorter car actually offers more rear legroom. According to the official spec sheets, the Mirage offers 869 mm of rear legroom, versus 787 mm in the Versa: 82 mm more. The Versa takes back the lead in width, with 1,361 mm at the shoulders versus 1,296 mm, 65 mm more. For legroom, the Mirage has the edge; for width, the Versa. On the test drive, seat your usual passengers behind a front seat adjusted for you.

The Mirage's reputation rests on its frugality, and Natural Resources Canada's official ratings confirm it: 6.6 L/100 km in the city, 5.6 on the highway, 6.2 combined (CVT, 2019 to 2024 model years). But the CVT Versa isn't far behind: 7.4 in the city, 5.9 on the highway, 6.7 combined for the 2021 to 2024 model years, and 7.5 in the city, 6.8 combined for 2025.

The combined gap is 0.5 L/100 km against a 2021 to 2024 Versa, and 0.6 against a 2025: about 100 to 120 litres of gas for 20,000 km a year. It's real, but too slim to decide on its own: if the Mirage annoys you on the highway, those fuel savings won't make up for it. (For the gap between the rating and reality, see our article on real-world fuel consumption.)

This is where the Mirage wins back a lot of ground. Mitsubishi Motors Canada lists a 10-year or 160,000 km limited powertrain warranty and 5 years or 100,000 km on the new vehicle, and states that in Canada the warranty follows the vehicle: a second owner only needs to have their contact details updated with Mitsubishi.

Example: a Mirage put into service in November 2023 would keep its powertrain covered until November 2033 or 160,000 km, and its new-vehicle warranty until November 2028 or 100,000 km, in both cases up to whichever limit comes first. If both cars suit your trips, it's this remaining coverage that separates two examples of comparable condition and mileage. Ask for the in-service date and have the coverage confirmed for the VIN before signing.

At Nissan Canada, the warranty booklet provides 3 years or 60,000 km of basic coverage and 5 years or 100,000 km for the powertrain, transferable to subsequent owners. On a 2021 or 2022 Versa, the 3-year basic warranty has already expired; on a 2024 or 2025, the in-service date and mileage will tell what's left. For legal remedies beyond the manufacturer's warranty, see the legal warranty on a used car.

Transport Canada's recall database lists two campaigns affecting recent Versas. Recall 2021-392 concerns the front turn signal bulbs, which could crack, on some 2020 and 2021 Versas: inspection and replacement of those affected. Recall 2024-129 concerns the driver's front airbag, which could deploy improperly because of humidity, on some 2023 and 2024 Versas: airbag replacement. For the Mirage as for the Versa, search with the exact model year, then check the example's VIN.

Transport Canada's list says which model years are affected, not whether your example is or whether it has been repaired. Enter the car's VIN in the manufacturer's recall lookup tool, or ask the dealership for proof of repair. Our guide explains how to check recalls with the VIN.

Accelerate briskly as you merge onto the highway. With a CVT, the engine can stay high in the revs under acceleration; it's the jerks, hesitations or an unusual noise that need to be examined before buying. If you can, start it with the engine cold. Check the screen and the backup camera. In 2024, all versions have automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning; the SV and SR add blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, according to Nissan Canada's press kit. On a 2023 or 2024, ask for proof that the airbag recall repair has been completed.

Drive up a hill with two passengers to judge whether 78 horsepower is enough for you day to day: that's the question to settle before signing, not after. Listen to the three-cylinder at idle and under acceleration, and fold the rear seat to check the mechanisms. On the 2024 GT, Mitsubishi Canada's spec sheet adds forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning: have their operation and warning lights explained to you. Ask to see the in-service date and the maintenance history: they're what lets you claim the remaining warranty.

For both, our pre-purchase inspection checklist covers tires, brakes and bodywork. And since both are light front-wheel-drive cars, good winter tires count for a lot in how they behave in winter, whichever one you choose.

Still torn between these two and other small cars? Our ranking of used cars on a small budget widens the comparison, and our guide to the used Nissan Sentra presents the Nissan option one size up.

Our used Versas and Mirages appear below, pulled live from our inventory. The figures in this comparison cover the 2021 to 2025 Versa and the 2021 to 2024 Mirage; to choose between two vehicles, compare their trim, mileage, maintenance and remaining warranty.

To set your purchase budget, see our guide to financing a used car.

Each listing shows the dealership where the car is located, and a Versa may well be at a dealership in the group other than Nissan. To compare the two models the same day, choose “Both models, I'm comparing” in the form below.

For Mirage maintenance, the network has Mitsubishi dealerships in Granby and Drummondville.