The refreshed 2024 Honda Brio was officially launched in the Philippines on July 13, 2023.

Although the updates were largely cosmetic, such as new bumpers, there are also new colors available for all Brio variants. The prices of all the models have also gone up, which may make potential subcompact hatchback buyers look elsewhere.

So we’ll do the obvious comparison now – is the 2024 Honda Brio V CVT a better buy than the venerable  2023 Mitsubishi Mirage GLX CVT, which is ₱55,000 cheaper?

It’s the battle of the little hatches on this edition of Spec Showdown!

Brio looks more crisp

Although the Brio has gotten a subtle facelift for its latest iteration, the Mirage has had quite a few cosmetic changes since it was first launched in the Philippines on November 2012.

Pitting their dimensions against each other, the Brio is marginally longer and wider, but the Mirage is a bit taller and has a longer wheelbase.

Given that the latest Brio was launched in 2019, it still looks quite modern, especially with the refreshed looks. I’d pick the Honda over the rather dated Mirage.

Winner: 2024 Honda Brio

Honda has nicer cabin

Although interior quality is not something most people would think about at this price range, Honda clearly spent more time and effort in this area.

Specifications-wise, the Brio is ahead of the Mirage by offering the must-have of every modern car: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the Mirage fights back by having a far larger cargo area than the Honda.

Both hatchbacks may have plasticky cabins, but the Mirage’s interior hasn’t evolved much since 2012. It may have less cargo space, but the win goes to the Brio again.

Winner: 2024 Honda Brio

Mirage's engine rough, outdated

Both the Brio and the Mirage feature 1.2-liter gasoline engines mated to continuously variable transmissions that promise stellar fuel economy.

But that’s where the similarities end – the Honda has an inline-4 motor, while the Mitsubishi gets an inline-3 unit. 

In terms of power and refinement, the Brio simply outpaces the Mirage. The Mirage does claim "class-leading" fuel efficiency, so if that's important to you, then you might want to consider the Diamond Brand option.

Winner: 2024 Honda Brio

Identical safety specs

Cars in this price range generally have basic safety gear.

Don’t expect any fancy active-safety suites with either the Brio or Mirage. But you do get dual front airbags, ISOFIX anchors, and anti-lock brakes.

For this one, it’s a tie.

Result: Tie

A false economy?

It goes without saying that the ₱827,000 Brio V CVT is the far superior little hatchback to the ₱772,000 Mirage GLX CVT.

The Honda is nicer-looking, faster, more refined, and offers better features, but loses out to the Mitsubishi in terms of cargo capacity. And then there’s that ₱55,000 price difference.

If the Mirage hatchback were nearer to ₱700,000, then it would be a more worthwhile purchase, even if the design is over 10 years. But at its current price point, I think the Mirage is too close to newer and better alternatives.

For instance, the larger but less well-equipped Toyota Vios 1.3 XE CVT is ₱769,000, which still includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Think carefully.

Which of these two tykes would you pick?

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