Click on image to view the full photo gallery
Mitsubishi Carisma Hatchback 1.6 (99 Hp)
Overall Rating
Mitsubishi Carisma:
The Mitsubishi Carisma is a small family car that was produced for the European market by Mitsubishi Motors from 1995 to 2004.
The model name was derived from a combination of the English car and the Greek kharisma, meaning "divine gift". It was co-developed with Volvo, sharing its chassis with the first generation of the Volvo S40, and built at the NedCar factory in Born, Netherlands, which the two companies co-owned at the time. Over 350,000 were built during its production run. Volume production begun in May 1995 with sales starting in The Netherlands in June. The four-door saloon sales started the following year....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Hatchback Overview:
Mitsubishi Carisma (Hatchback). With 137 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~11 l/100km). Weighing only 1140 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 13.9 s). The top speed reaches 180 km/h. A compact car with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the cargo area. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Mitsubishi Carisma achieved a 3-star Euro NCAP rating in 1998, which was an average performance for its time, indicating reasonable but not outstanding adult occupant protection.
1.6 (99 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Adequate for city driving, but feels underpowered on highways, requiring effort for overtakes.
Fuel Economy
Average fuel economy for a naturally aspirated petrol engine of its size, especially in urban settings.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Wide range of efficient GDI petrol and DI-D diesel engines available.
- • Comfortable ride quality and a spacious interior for its class.
- • Generally reliable, especially the non-GDI petrol engines.
- • Offers good value on the used car market due to being often overlooked.
- • Practical hatchback body style with decent boot space.
Cons:
- • Base engines can feel underpowered, particularly with automatic transmissions.
- • GDI engines may require specific maintenance to prevent carbon build-up issues.
- • Interior styling is somewhat bland and lacks character compared to rivals.
- • Automatic transmissions significantly impact both performance and fuel economy.
- • Euro NCAP safety rating of 3 stars was only average for its time.
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Hatchback: 1996 - 2000).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Mitsubishi |
| Model: | Carisma |
| Generation: | Hatchback |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.6 (99 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1997 |
| End of production: | 2000 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Hatchback |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 99 Hp @ 5750 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 62 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 137 Nm @ 4000 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 1597 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | OHC |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 81 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 77.5 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 10:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 11 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 6.8 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 13.9 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 13.9 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 180 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 11.5 kg/Hp, 86.8 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 8.3 kg/Nm, 120.2 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 13.2 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1140 |
| Max. weight: | 1660 |
| Max load: | 520 |
| Trunk (boot) space - maximum: | 660 l |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 430 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 60 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4445 mm mm [Same length.] |
| Width: | 1710 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1405 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2550 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1455 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1475 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 185/65 R14 |
| Front suspension | Spring Strut |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
Better than its competitors? Tell us why the Mitsubishi Carisma stands out.