Mitsubishi Colt New Car Review - Car Reviews

Mitsubishi Colt

VERDICT:

The Mitsubishi Colt makes leaps and bounds over its predecessor with a fast, fun and reliable small car

Performance

There are three petrol engines available with the Mitsubishi Colt: 1.1-, 1.3- and 1.5-litre jobs, plus a new common-rail, direct injection 1.5-litre diesel, sourced from parent company DaimlerChrysler. The 1.1-litre is a three-cylinder unit that can become a little buzzy inside the cabin at high speeds, but for city work it's ideal, with an excellent throttle response and a lively fizz through the gears. The 1.5 litre turbo in the CZT is an absolute corker. With 150bhp, it pulls strongly in every gear and is excellent on the motorway. The diesel by comparison is a rattily old lump that's underpowered.

Driving

The sharp steering connects to a chassis that's genuinely grippy, nicely agile and light on its feet. It doesn't roll and the damping control is really very strong too, so you don't float or crash when the road goes all roller-coaster on you.

Space

The Colt's interior space is generous front and rear plus there's plenty of headroom for adults too. But that's not all. Not only do the rear seats have a 60/40 split, they're also foldable, slideable, reclineable, tumbleable and if none of those work, completely removable. The boot isn't huge at 311 litres although this soon increases to a more useable 645 litres. The car comes as a three and five-door and access into the three-door's rear is cramped, so just the kids in there, really.

Build quality

The interior has a lovely, well-built feel to it with much nicer plastics used than we've seen on other recent Mitsubishis. The engines are quality units too, developed jointly with Smart, and so should prove to be reliable.

Equipment

The entry CZ1 model is equipped with key less entry, central locking, front electric windows and a CD player. The CZ2 adds rear electric windows (five-door), air conditioning, alloy wheels, front fog lamps and steering wheel mounted audio controls. The CZ3 boasts some exterior design bits and bobs while the CZT gets leather facing seats, a leather steering wheel, a sports exhaust and more sporty bits. Look out for the endless limited edition Colts that add on a lot more kit for no more money.

Safety

All models come with two front airbags and anti-lock brakes as standard, although it's only the top-spec CZ3 models that have side airbags.

Owning

All engines offer a decent fuel economy, while excellent carbon dioxide emissions mean they're in a low tax bracket. Most of the models are in an affordable insurance group except for the hot-hatch CZT that shoots up to a frightening group 15. Being quite a trendy sort of car, the Colt should hold its value reasonably well.

Value

Not the cheapest car around and its prices are up there with the Polo's. But bearing in mind its quality and its sharpness, we feel this is justified.

Verdict

At last, a modern family hatchback from Mitsubishi and it's a good one too. Sliding seats in the back help with giving more space for luggage or for people's legs and its a real hoot behind the wheel, especially if you get to have a go in the zesty CZT.

Don't want a roof?

CZC

As cute as a button, the CZC has a folding hard top and 2+2 seating, although rear space is extremely limited. Choose the turbo version because with 147bhp it has lots of punch. While it isn't a sportscar and there's some scuttle-shake, it does have lots of grip.

Fancy something hotter?

CZT