So I recently got another inquiry about a brand-new car purchase, this time from my high-school batchmate Avi. Here’s the question: “Sa palagay mo anong best option, Mirage (hatchback), Wigo, or Brio? Plan ko pa rin naman tingnan in person if ever pero gusto ko lang malaman opinion mo bilang naiintindihan mo yung mga specs nila and all.”
Hi, Avi! First of all, great shortlist. Secondly, difficult shortlist. These three are probably the of the most common models in any first-time car-buyer’s shopping list. It comes as no surprise, but it doesn’t make the decision-making process any easier, either. But let’s try and run things down for you. By the way, our friend here is picking among the top-spec variants for each model, so at least we have that part sorted out.
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Avi also told me that she prefers one that’s beginner friendly as she’s also a newbie driver. She wants something with a smaller footprint so she’ll be more comfortable driving it around. She says she’ll mostly be driving it for the daily work commute between Bay and Los Baños, two small towns south of Laguna. As for number of passengers, she says it’ll be two to five.
Okay, so before we begin, let me clarify why it’s a Mirage G4 in the image above and not a Mirage hatch. The way I see it, you’ll be better off going for the sedan than the hatch. They have identical powertrains and don’t differ that much in terms of dimensions. You’ll get a better deal with the Mirage G4 GLX CVT priced at P819,000 than the top-spec Mirage that goes for P772,000.
With the sedan, you’ll get a fresher exterior and updated bits. That specific model and variant is even priced lower than the Brio 1.2 RS CVT that has an P853,000 SRP. The range-topping Wigo G CVT, meanwhile, will becomethe most affordable in this list at P729,000.
Okay, so we kinda have a cheat sheet already here–we’ve already featured the Brio and the Wigo in one of our recent episodes of The Big Test, and we can easily get a few answers from there. I’m already familiar with the routes Avi will be taking daily, so I can say that driving dynamics andwon’t be that much of a factor here. Besides, Avi’s looking for something easy to drive, not fun.
On that part, the Wigo will be more ideal, as it’s easier to drive into parking spaces–something I know you’ll be doing often—with its parking sensors and reversing camera. It also has a dashcam that comes as standard, which is something neither the Mirage G4 nor the Brio have.
But let me insert this small bit since we’re already here: In case performance might also be a talking point somewhere down the line, the clear-cut segment leader here is the Brio. It’s punchier and handles better than its rivals.
Now, another factor you should consider here is fuel consumption. They’re very identical, but based on past test drives of the Brio and the Mirage G4, the latter takes the cake as it can do about 22km/L on the highway, edging the former by just 1km/L. As for the Wigo, we got 21.2km/L during our Big Test shoot, and that involved mostly highway driving with a sprinkle of city traffic towards the end. While we have no definitive figures just yet, these recent results tell me the Wigo can fare much better than the Mirage G4 whether on strictly highway or city driving.
As for interior space, the Brio was better than the Wigo when it came to the second row. Rear passengers will be more comfortable in the Honda hatch. Unfortunately, we haven’t done a definitive test that includes the Mirage G4 (sorry), so we can’t objectively comment on that. We ought to try it out one of these days, then we’ll let you know. But do take note that three people in the back of any of these cars will always be a snug fit. Unless all of them are Anton Andres-sized, the fifth passenger will always have a less than ideal time in the middle.
Trunk-space-wise, it was the Wigo that got the edge. In this case, the Mirage G4 will easily have better boot space since it does have a separate trunk being the sedan that it is.
In terms of extra features, all of these hatchbacks come with decent infotainment systems with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. No issues here when it comes to smartphone connectivity.
Frankly, I just think the Wigo’s the better package here, because it’s simply the newer and more balanced offering, especially when you factor in the price. But of course, there might be one last factor that could affect your decision, and that will always be subjective: looks. If design matters to you, the burden of picking which looks best will fall on you. I’d rather not influence your choice in that regard.
To end, let me note how it’s also a good idea that you plan to check all of these cars out first before finalizing your purchase. At the end of the day, what you read here is my opinion and what I think of the cars. As objective as we try to be, your preference will always be a huge factor in the final decision. Choose the car that not only fits your needs most but also puts a smile on your face whenever you look at it or drive it. Your first car will always be memorable, so make it count. What keeps you content and happy is what’s important.
We hope this helps! Good luck, and keep us posted on that purchase!
