The Mitsubishi Colt is back. After a hiatus of eight years, the Japanese automaker has revived its iconic city car with a new design and a new mission: to offer an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to the Renault Clio, on which it is based.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Colt is the result of a partnership between Mitsubishi and Renault-Nissan, which owns a 34 percent stake in the former. The Colt shares its platform, engine, and most of its features with the Clio, but it has a distinctive look that sets it apart from its French twin.
The Colt has a more angular and aggressive front end, with a large grille and LED headlights that resemble those of the Mitsubishi Outlander. The rear end is also more sculpted, with a spoiler and a diffuser that give it a sporty flair. The Colt also has some unique elements, such as the three-diamond logo on the C-pillar and the red accents on the wheels and mirrors.
But the Colt is not just a cosmetic makeover of the Clio. It also has some advantages that make it more appealing to environmentally conscious buyers. It is cheaper than the Clio, starting at $17,500 for the base model, compared to $19,000 for the Clio. That’s a significant saving for a car that offers essentially the same performance and equipment.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Colt also has a lower carbon footprint than the Renault Clio, thanks to its lighter weight and more efficient engine. The Colt weighs about 100 pounds less than the Clio, which reduces its fuel consumption and emissions. The Colt also uses a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 100 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque, while the Clio uses a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 130 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.
The difference in power is not noticeable in everyday driving, but it makes a big difference in terms of environmental impact. According to Mitsubishi, the Colt emits 99 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer (g/km), while the Clio emits 118 g/km. That means that over a year of driving 10,000 miles, the Colt would save about 400 pounds of carbon dioxide compared to the Clio.