Mitsubishi i Review

Mitsubishi i

In profile, the i has a fairly smooth silhouette that curves up from the stubby nose and deep windscreen, over the roof to a rounded rear end, passing a small, integrated roof spoiler, on the way. The small, 15-inch alloys fill the arches well, giving the car a ‘tight’ look and the semi-circular design allows for wider rear doors that provide easy access to the back seats.

The length from the back of the rear seats to the tailgate measures 44cm, which is plenty for light shopping trips. The luggage capacity is quoted as 246-litres but it isn’t made clear if this is the maximum achieved with the 50:50-split seats, folded to form a flat floor. To put that into perspective, an average, large, supermarket trolley has a 325.6-litre capacity and there is certainly more room than that.

The interior is both functional and quirky. The test car was in Amethyst Black, which is one of six, exterior colour choices. Black is the only colour in the range that comes with red seats and red fascia inserts. The other interiors feature a variety of greys. The seats aren’t particularly contoured but are, nevertheless, comfortable and the driver has the benefit of height adjustment to make up for the steering wheel, which has no adjustment whatsoever.

The fascia design shows that the i is definitely not from a European manufacturer. There is a lot of plastic, which no matter how well it is put together, has a tendency to look cheap, but then the i makes no pretence of being a luxury car.

One of the red, insert panels is sited above the glove box, where it forms an open cubby, supposedly for a box of tissues, and houses a pop-out cup-holder. On the other side of the cabin, the panel is for the most part, hidden behind the steering wheel and contains, amongst other things, the immobiliser switch. Every time the car is started, a small pod-like sensor on the keyfob has to be touched to this receptor, first. When the red light remains constant, the engine can be started and it doesn’t take long before you remember to do it every time.

The centre console comes in two formats; either with an integrated radio/CD player with a small, digital information screen above or if the optional iPod connection (via the glovebox) is specified, the CD is removed and the radio is exchanged for an Alpine unit with a removable face. I particularly liked this audio system with its squared information screen that resembles a page from a calendar. A satellite-navigation system is available as an optional extra. I also liked the yellow-faced, digital instruments, which are small but very easy to read.

Mitsubishi i