2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Expert Review

Though Mitsubishi has been a pioneer in electric drivetrains in its home market of Japan, the Japanese automaker is bringing its first all-electric car to the U.S. market for 2012. The 2012 Mitsubishi i is a subcompact EV as simple as its name, offering only basic amenities and barely-there interior volume. The i does have a couple good things going for it though: its 126-MPGe city equivalent fuel economy rating and 99-MPGe highway rating, as well as its base price of just over $20,000 after all applicable tax credits are factored in.

The i is powered by a 66-hp AC electric motor, and has an EPA-rated range of 62 miles. For city-dwellers, that might be just enough though. Commuters should plan their route well in advance, however, as the i takes roughly 22 hours to charge with a standard 110-volt electrical outlet. That time is cut down with the optional wall-mounted 220-volt quick charger, which takes seven hours. Opt for the available Level 3 high-voltage DC charging port though, and you can juice up your i to an 80-percent charge in under 30 minutes.

While there's no doubt owning an EV requires a bit of a lifestyle change, owning a Mitsubishi i may also require you to lower your expectations of automotive quality as well. The interior is pretty bare-bones, a fact that helps save precious weight, and the i's standard features like manual climate control, power windows, and dual front cupholders make living with the EV a little easier.

Bodystyle: Four-door hatchback

Engine: 66-hp AC Electric Motor

Transmission: 1-speed direct-drive

Models: i ES, i SE

Mitsubishi is entering the all-electric vehicle arena in 2012 with the compact i EV. Smaller than the Nissan Leaf, and with a shorter range rating, the i enters the market with the pricing advantage over its electrified competition. In its debut year, the i will be offered in two trim levels, including ES and SE. Charge time for the small hatchback will range from 30 minutes to 22 hours, depending on equipment level. An optional 220-volt Level 2 charger reduces charge time to around seven hours, while a high-voltage Level 3 ChaDemo charging port available on SE models allows for an 80-percent charge in as little as 30 minutes.

Mitsubishi took a minimalist approach to exterior design when it styled the i, employing short front and rear overhangs, a bubble-shaped cockpit, and a front end that looks vaguely like a happy face. All Mitsubishi i models get halogen headlights, LED taillights, and body-color mirrors and door handles. ES models get standard 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, while SE models come equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels. SE models also get standard automatic on/off headlights and integrated fog lamps, as well as an available two-tone paint scheme.

The cabin of the Mitsubishi i is as basic as they come, with a plastic-heavy dash and cloth seats being the name of the game. All models get a six-way manual adjustable driver's seat and four-way adjustable passenger seat. Though the i has a four-passenger seating capacity, rear seat occupants might feel a bit cramped with the 30 inches of rear legroom and 34.3 inches of headroom. Cargo capacity is also limited, with 13.2 cubic feet of space available behind the rear seats, and a maximum of 50.4 cubic feet with the 50/50 split folding rear seats down. SE models get a slightly upgraded interior, adding a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth door inserts, silver accent trim, and premium cloth upholstery.

As an all-electric vehicle, the Mitsubishi i performs its job of urban transport fairly well. Unfortunately, that's about all the pint-sized electric does well. The i is powered by an AC electric motor producing 66 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, which sends power through a single-speed direct-drive transmission. That said, acceleration is pretty miserable, with the i posting a 13.4-second 0-60 mph time in our tests. Handling is just as bad, with many editors reporting a tendency to understeer heavily when hustling through turns. These performance shortcomings are likely of little concern for the i's target audience though. But with the Mitsubishi's EPA-rated range of 62 miles, drivers might see their world shrink with the limited long-distance capabilities of the i.

Despite the i's miniscule stature, Mitsubishi didn't cut corners on safety. All i models get dual-stage front airbags, front seat-mounted side impact airbags, and front and rear roof-mounted curtain airbags as standard. Other safety features like Active Stability Control, Brake Override Logic, an ABS system, and Tire Pressure Monitoring system are also standard. The battery is mounted directly to the unibody, to protect from potential electrical hazards in the event of a collision. The i's Approaching Vehicle Alerting system creates an audible sound that alerts pedestrians when the car is cruising at low speeds. A rearview camera is available on the SE model through the Premium package.

i (all models): 126 MPGe city/99 MPGe highway