Mitsubishi Space Star 120 MPI Motion, road test (equipment, price, opinion)

We conclude the test of the Mitsubishi Space Star after analysing the dynamic capabilities of the small Japanese car, as well as its exterior and interior design.

Now it’s time to put the calculator on the table and talk about its price, its equipment and its possible rivals.

Equipment

The star of our test is a unit we could describe as “top of the range”, since it is based on the Motion trim, the most complete one. Combined with the 120 MPI engine, it is the only possible option, as the Challenge trim, the most basic, is only available with the smaller 100 MPI engine.

Either way, the Motion trim offers a remarkably complete level of standard equipment, making equipment one of the Space Star’s strongest assets when competing in the crowded A-segment.

As standard, the Space Star offers keyless entry and start system (Keyless-Go), 14″ alloy wheels, electric windows on all four doors, single-zone air conditioning, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, light and rain sensors, cruise control and a Start&Stop system, among others.

Of course, it comes with the standard equipment you find on any car today, including power steering, front seatbelts with pyrotechnic pretensioners, ABS, ASR and ESP, on-board computer…

We are therefore looking at one of the best-equipped city cars on the market, with features more typical of higher segments – such as the keyless start system or the light and rain sensors – which can certainly tip the balance in the Japanese car’s favour during those ever-awkward comparisons.

Price

The Space Star in its 120 MPI Motion version starts at €10,500, which, although not the cheapest, is a good starting price. If we want to tighten the budget even further, we can opt for the 100 MPI Challenge version, with a starting price of €9,600.

Although it is among the most affordable, it is not the cheapest, as it has rivals such as the Fiat Panda or the Ford Ka with a lower starting price. It is when we weigh up the price-to-equipment ratio that the Mitsubishi shines, with the best balance of all.

Personal assessment

The Mitsubishi Space Star is a car you get used to quickly. At first, some aspects may put you off, such as the lightness of the controls, the narrowness of the cabin or how soft the suspension feels, but it is over the kilometres and hours behind the wheel that you start to feel at home.

If our journeys are made exclusively in urban settings, the Space Star is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a pleasant car to drive, with more than good equipment and a capable, economical engine.

It is clear that there are more novel alternatives, with more attractive design or less refined dynamic qualities, but it is as a whole that the Mitsubishi presents itself as an almost well-rounded product.

Photography | Daniel Valdivielso