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Mitsubishi Attrage. Better than the MRT
Once upon a time, the Mitsubishi Lancer ruled supreme in the automotive arena. The Lancer was the best-selling car in Singapore in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Back when Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices were reasonable, the Lancer was a value-for-money option for those looking for a no-frills, no-fuss family sedan. The car ably served our nation’s most basic motoring needs.
The nasty combination of soaring COE prices and the financial crisis hit Mitsubishi badly, resulting in a lack of product updates. This meant that the Lancer fell out of favour as competitors moved ahead. For a while it looked like the Mitsubishi brand may be as good as dead, but thankfully they’re now on the road to recovery. And with cars like the Attrage, there is strong evidence that Mitsubishi is heading back to its glory days once again.
The trusty Car team at Budget Direct Insurance has all the latest.
1. Is the Mitsubishi Attrage the new Lancer?
Not exactly. The Attrage is a fair bit smaller than the Lancer. While it is still a four-door sedan that can seat five, you couldn’t really call it a family sedan, unless your family is, shall we say, ‘vertically-challenged’.
Nevertheless, the car does embody some of the spirit of the now-departed Lancer. It is reasonably affordable (relatively speaking), a no-frills vehicle that offers motoring for the masses. Nothing more, nothing less.
The Attrage’s prevalence as a popular choice for private hire car drivers (i.e. Uber and Grab) goes to demonstrate the car’s value for basic motoring. This is, literally, four wheels, an engine, seats and air-con; everything you need to get you to your destination. And it probably won’t break down as often as some other vehicles…
2. What’s it like to drive?
With a car like this, you need to manage your expectations. It’s not going to send thrills of excitement down your spine, or tingle your senses in a meaningful way. But the Attrage does have its redeeming qualities.
It’s a decent performer; able to handle the rigours of city driving with relative ease. The 1.2-litre engine matched with a CVT gearbox is reasonable. It will get you where you want to go. Let’s just say, though, you’re unlikely to get a speeding ticket in this car. Which is a plus point, right?
3. That doesn’t sound too exciting
For a car enthusiast, obviously not. But as an everyday car, the Attrage has its appeal. It’s a small car with a small engine, meaning it is quite frugal. With a quoted average fuel consumption of 20.8km per litre, that’s impressive fuel economy. In addition, the car’s compact size means it is easy to manoeuvre and easy to park.
4. Should I buy one?
The Mitsubishi Attrage may not be a car that gets you buzzing. But if you’re looking for a reliable form of private transportation that won’t bust your bank account, the Attrage fits the bill. At the very least, it’s better than a crowded MRT…
For more car reviews and motoring tips, look out for regular posts in this series.
