The small but big for the segment Mitsubishi Space Star , was launched in the “distant” year of 2012, having received a major renovation in 2016. For 2020, it receives a new renovation, the biggest to date — from the A pillar onwards, everything is new.
The Space Star is now better integrated into the rest of the Mitsubishi range, adopting the same “family air”, that is, it receives the Dynamic Shield that characterizes the face of the other models of the three-diamond brand. The novelties also include the LED headlights, and the new luminous signature in “L” of the rear optics.
To complete the exterior, there is a new rear bumper and the wheels are of a new design — only 15″ for the Portuguese market.
Inside, the changes are limited to new coverings and the seats (with some areas covered with leather) also receive new standards.
More driver assistance
The news is not just “style”. The renewed Mitsubishi Space Star reinforced the list of safety equipment, especially driver assistance (ADAS). It now has autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a lane departure warning system, automatic highs and a rear camera — note the above-average quality of this item.View this post on Instagram
Under the bonnet, all the same
For the rest, the hardware we used to know from the Mitsubishi Space Star is carried over to the renewed model. The only engine available for Portugal is still the three-cylinder 1.2 MIVEC 80 hp — there is a 1.0 hp 71 hp in other markets — and it can be associated either with a five-speed manual transmission or with a continuous variation transmission, aka CVT .
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At the wheel
The first dynamic contact with Space Star took place in France, more precisely in the vicinity of the small town of L’Isle-Adam, less than 50 km from Paris. To get there, the chosen route went, essentially, through secondary roads - and floors far from being perfect -, crossing small villages with narrow streets and poorly visible intersections.
The driving experience itself revealed a car that was easy to drive — excellent maneuverability, the turning diameter is just 4.6 m — and oriented towards comfort. Suspension set-up is soft, handling most irregularities well but allowing the bodywork to trim more pronounced in more hurried driving.
It's wrong for the driving position, which is always too high, and for the lack of depth adjustment of the steering wheel. The seats turned out to be comfortable, although they didn't offer much support. However, they are heated, something unusual in the segment.
1.2 MIVEC turned out to be willful and a good partner for Space Star. It makes very good use of its capacity superior to most of the competition's thousand and the Space Star's low weight — just 875 kg (without driver), one of the lightest, if not the lightest in the segment —, allowing for speedy driving, whatever. with the manual transmission or the CVT. However, it is not the most refined or quiet unit in the segment, especially in the higher regimes.
The five-speed manual gearbox is precise q.s., although a shorter stroke would be desirable, but what gets disconcerting is the clutch pedal, which seems to offer little or no resistance. The CVT, well… it's a CVT. Don't abuse the accelerator and it even reveals an interesting level of refinement, ideal for a carefree driving in the city, but if you need the full 80 hp, the engine will make itself heard… a lot.
The Mitsubishi Space Star promises low fuel consumption and emissions — 5.4 l/100 km and 121 g/km of CO2. Given the somewhat erratic driving to which the models are subjected in these first dynamic contacts, it is not always possible to check the declarations of the brands. Even so, in the case of the manual, the on-board computer registered 6.1 l/100 km after the initial journey.
When does it arrive and how much does it cost?
The revamped Mitsubishi Space Star is scheduled to arrive in March 2020, and as it happens today, it will only be available with one engine and equipment level — the highest, which is quite complete and includes, among others, air conditioning auto, keyless system and MGN infotainment system (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included).
The options essentially come down to the choice of transmission — manual or CVT — and… the body color.
Mitsubishi has not yet come up with definitive prices for the new Space Star, mentioning only that it is expected an increase of around 3.5% compared to the current one. Remember that the current one costs 14,600 euros (manual box) — with the increase, expect a price of around 15,100 euros.