To compete with other electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla S model, Mitsubishi began producing the i-MiEV models. In 2009, it created the first i-MiEV model, designed to provide enough room for the occupants, but it was still a compact vehicle with several flaws. Several i-MiEV models followed from 2010 to 2015, with each model improving the previous model’s specs.
Despite being compact, simple to drive in traffic, and able to fit into small parking spaces, the 2015 Mitsubishi i-MiEV had severe problems that made it less appealing and more of a cost. Here are a few reasons why it is a big disappointment.
Other Similar Models Offer Better Performance
The Mitsubishi 2015 i-MiEV is built to operate in three driving modes: B, which boosts power and increases regenerative braking; D, which operates at full power; and eco, which conserves energy.
The car offers a 49-kilowatt electric power with 145lb-ft torque and also produces a horsepower of 66. With these specs, the 2015 i-MiEV Mitsubishi model can take 14.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60mph. This speed is considered slow when compared to other electric motors. For instance, the 2015 Nissan Leaf only takes 9.9 seconds to attain 60mph and has a horsepower of 107 and a torque of 187, offering much power and speed compared with the 2015 i-MiEV Mitsubishi.
Besides the low speed and power, the 2015 i-MiEV has issues regarding its charging and driving range. While most electric cars have an estimated range of 75-85 miles per charge, the i-MiEV offers a considerably lower range of 65 miles per charge. In addition, the car takes about 7 to 8 hours to attain full charge in a 240V charging station, while other electrical cars take 3 to 4 hours.
Although the car can steadily reach a top speed of 90mph on the highway, the 2015 i-MiEV is preferred for driving within the city. Other electric cars like the 2015 Tesla S are comfortable with a speed of up to 110mph on the highway, providing a faster and safer option to the 2015 Mitsubishi i-MiEV model.
The 2015 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Interior is Below Standard
While most car models try their best to make their interior as appealing as possible by making it spacious and luxurious to their clients, the 2015 i-MiEV failed to do precisely this. From the cabin to the trunk, the interior components of the 2015 i-MiEV are below average.
For instance, the 2015 i-MiEV’s interior is dull and unattractive because it is made entirely of hard plastic and lacks any cutting-edge design or technology. In contrast to rival vehicles like the Tesla S, which has a control screen that appears over the map and is accessible through touch, the 2015 i-MiEV’s dashboard and controls are basic and have a dull interior. We can only be grateful for the 2015 i-MiEV’s remote system, which enables you to start the charging process and regulate the temperature inside the vehicle.
Taller passengers may find the 2015 i-MiEV unpleasant because there is little available legroom due to restricted seat-track mobility and a generally uncomfortable driving position, despite having a lot of headroom. The car’s flat seats and lack of substantial back support make it unpleasant.
The car’s trunk is also disappointing. It covers only 13.2 cubic feet, which is small storage compared to its competitors, like the 2015 Nissan Leaf, which has 24 cubic feet of room for storage. When the back seats are folded, the storage space of the 2015 i-MiEV increases to 50.4 cubic feet, while that of the Leaf reaches 60 feet.
Why the Production of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV Model Stopped
Although the i-MiEV model was less expensive than other electric vehicles, Mitsubishi stopped making it due to the car’s poor sales and various associated problems. Due to the restricted supply of lithium-ion batteries that powered the vehicle, which made it pricey, sales of the initial i-MiEV model drastically decreased. As a result, the i-MiEV model’s interest value decreased, and its production values decreased.
Overall, the expensive battery of the 2015 i-MiEV model and some of its issues, including its poor interior and performance, make the 2015 Mitsubishi i-MiEV a big disappointment. As a result, Mitsubishi has since stopped producing the i-MiEV models.