A few years ago, an automotive industry veteran complained to me that there were no more "basic cars" for young drivers to aspire to.
By "basic car" is meant a no-frills model that is relatively affordable for those who have been working and saving for some time.
When this conversation took place, insurance premiums were higher in the COE. As a result, many people could not buy "bread and butter."
Today, insurance premiums are down. And novice drivers have affordable options, such as the Mitsubishi Space Star hatchback.
MITSUBISHI'S CHIC SUPERMINI
The Supermini suits most drivers who need a car to get from point A to point B.
The Mitsubishi Space Star is perfect for that. It is compact, highly maneuverable and efficient. It is also relatively well-equipped.
The recently redesigned Space Star is now in line with the rest of the Mitsubishi range. It has a Dynamic Shield design at the front and a bulkier rear bumper.
The grille has red stripes to accentuate/enhance its appearance. But the Space Star can do without them because it is not a hot hatch.
LED headlights, usually found only on mid- to high-end models, are standard on the Space Star. The previous model also originally had them, but they were removed in later series because of cost. It is good that they are back.
The modest dimensions of the Mitsubishi Space Star - only 3,845 mm long and 1,665 mm wide - call for equally modest tires. The 15-inch tires in the 175/55 series not only look good, they are inexpensive to replace.
BASIC FANTASTIC.
The Space Star has everything most drivers need. Leather seats, climate control (instead of just the usual air conditioning) and an infotainment system.
This system is quite handy, as it lets you access Spotify playlists and use Google Maps to navigate Singapore. This does not always require an expensive car with a more advanced infotainment system.
Driver and passenger safety is ensured by six airbags and Active Stability Control (traction control). Considering the segment the Mitsubishi Space Star is in, these features exceed all expectations.
On the other hand, the compactness of the rear seat is no surprise. Mitsubishi has tried to maximize the interior space of the Space Star, but given the size of the supermini, there are limitations here.
With a wheelbase of 2,450 mm, there's plenty of legroom if you're not taller than 1.8 meters. And since the Space Star is not naturally wide, it is better to have two adults on the bench than three.
The Space Star has a luggage space of 235 liters (rear seats up), which is quite acceptable considering its size. You can fold down the rear seats to increase the volume, but it is not really a driving vehicle.
