The Mitsubishi Colt is a name that has been around for decades, but it has been absent from the market for a while. The last generation of the Colt was discontinued in 2012, and since then, Mitsubishi has focused more on SUVs and crossovers. But now, the Mitsubishi Colt is back, and it's not what you might expect.
The new Mitsubishi Colt is actually a rebadged version of the Renault Zoe, one of the most popular electric cars in Europe. The Colt shares the same platform, powertrain, battery, and interior as the Renault Zoe, but it has a slightly different exterior design with some Mitsubishi cues. The Colt is essentially a French car.
Why did Mitsubishi do this? Well, the answer is simple: to save money and time. Mitsubishi is part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, a strategic partnership that allows the three automakers to share resources and technologies. By using an existing model from Renault, Mitsubishi can enter the electric car market without having to develop its own product from scratch.
The Mitsubishi Colt is also a way for Mitsubishi to comply with the stricter emissions regulations in Europe, where it sells most of its cars. By offering an electric option, Mitsubishi can lower its fleet average CO2 emissions and avoid paying hefty fines. The Colt is not intended to be a global model but rather a niche product for specific markets.
What's It Like to Drive?
The Mitsubishi Colt has a single electric motor that produces 134 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 9.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 87 mph. The Colt has a 52-kWh lithium-ion battery that provides an estimated range of 245 miles on the WLTP cycle. It can be charged from 0 to 80 percent in about an hour using a 50-kW DC fast charger.
The Mitsubishi Colt is a small hatchback that seats five people and offers a decent amount of cargo space. The interior is simple but functional, with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wireless charging, and a digital instrument cluster. The Colt also comes with some advanced safety features, such as lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross traffic alert.
The Colt is not a sporty car, but it is easy and fun to drive. The electric motor delivers instant torque and smooth acceleration, while the regenerative braking helps recover energy and extend the range. The steering is light and responsive, and the suspension is comfortable and composed. The Colt is well-suited for urban driving, where it can maneuver through traffic and park in tight spaces.
How Does It Compare to Other Electric Cars?
The Mitsubishi Colt competes with other small electric cars such as the Honda e, the Mini Cooper SE, the Fiat 500e, and the Volkswagen ID.3. Compared to these rivals, the Colt has some advantages and disadvantages.
On the plus side, the Colt has a longer range than most of its competitors, except for the Volkswagen ID.3. It also has a lower price tag than some of them, starting at around $29,000 before incentives in Europe. The Colt also benefits from Renault Zoe's proven reliability and customer satisfaction ratings.
On the minus side, the Mitsubishi Colt lacks originality and personality compared to its rivals. It is essentially a copy of another car with a different badge on it. It does not have any distinctive features or innovations that make it stand out from the crowd. The Colt also suffers from some cheap materials and poor build quality inside the cabin.
Is It Worth Buying?
The Mitsubishi Colt is not a bad car by any means. It is a practical, efficient, and affordable electric car that can meet the needs of many drivers. However, it is not a very exciting or inspiring car either. It does not offer anything new or different that would make it more appealing than its competitors.
If you are looking for an electric car that has more character and flair, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you are looking for an electric car that has a long range and a low price, you might want to give the Colt a chance.
The Mitsubishi Colt is back, but it's not the same as before. It's electric now, and it's French too. It might not be what you expected, but it might be what you need.
