Mitsubishi Colt

Mitsubishi Colt at a glance

The Colt name is much older than the hatchback: Mitsubishi used it from the 1962 Colt 600, and the Colt 1000F and 1100F fastbacks followed in the 1960s. Other Mitsubishi models are on our Mitsubishi brand page.

Generations

Years follow the German ADAC catalogue; Japanese production dates differ slightly. In the first five generations the hatchback was called Colt in Europe and the saloon Lancer, while in Japan both were Mirage. The fifth generation was the last Mirage-based Colt in Europe. When Mitsubishi revived the Mirage name in 2012, Europe received it as the Space Star, not as a Colt.

The Z30 (2004-2013)

The Z30 arrived in Germany in June 2004 and was built at NedCar in Born, which also built the Smart Forfour; in Germany the three-door was badged CZ3. A Japanese version, the Z20, had appeared in October 2002. Pininfarina in Turin built the Colt CZC, a 2+2 with a folding hard top.

The diesel, sold in Germany from 2005 to 2008, was a Mercedes-Benz OM639 three-cylinder. After the late-2008 facelift ADAC lists only petrol engines, the 1.1 and 1.3 in ClearTec economy versions, and from 2009 to 2011 factory LPG versions of the 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5 turbo. The turbocharged CZT was renamed Ralliart after the facelift and kept 110 kW in Germany. German list prices began at EUR 10,990 for the 1.1 five-door in October 2004 and EUR 9,990 for the 1.1 CZ3 in 2005.

The 2023 Colt: a Renault Clio twin

Mitsubishi revealed the new Colt online on 9 June 2023 and opened European sales in October 2023. Developed by Renault on the alliance's CMF-B platform and built in Renault's Bursa plant in Turkey, it is a rebadged fifth-generation Clio with a Mitsubishi front end and its own trims. Mitsubishi calls it the seventh Colt for Europe, returning after nine years.

The hybrid combines a 1.6 petrol engine with two electric motors, a starter-generator and a main motor, and a 1.2 kWh battery. ADAC lists the last German versions until February 2026, while Wikipedia gives the end of 2025 as the end of the model. Our power converter translates the outputs into other units.

Dimensions and boot

These figures are for the 1.0 turbo; the boot volume of the hybrid is not given in our sources, so check it separately.

Prices and running costs

ADAC lists these German prices for the 2023 Colt (from October 2023): EUR 18,290 for the 1.0 Basis, EUR 21,190 for the 1.0 Turbo Plus, EUR 26,190 for the 1.6 Hybrid Plus and EUR 29,190 for the Hybrid Top. Official consumption figures are not part of the sources we used. Our fuel cost calculator works with any consumption figure.

Trims and equipment

German trims were Basis, Plus, Top, Select and Edition, plus an Intro Edition at launch. Depending on trim, the 2023 Colt has a 7-inch or 9.3-inch Smartphone-link Display Audio with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch digital instrument panel (10 inches optional), the Multi-Sense drive modes My Sense, Sport and Eco, ambient lighting and a Bose sound system. Assistance systems include adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane departure warning and prevention, forward collision mitigation, automatic high beam, traffic sign recognition, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and Easy Park Assist.

Safety

Euro NCAP tested the Z30 Colt in 2005 and gave it four stars for adult occupant protection, with 25 points for adult occupants, 30 points for child occupants and 7 points for pedestrian protection. Australia's ANCAP tested the Colt in 2007 and rated pedestrian protection "poor". We found no separate Euro NCAP rating for the 2023 Colt in our sources.

Reliability and known issues

Our sources contain no fault statistics or recall lists for either the Z30 or the 2023 Colt, so we do not repeat claims from forums. The 2023 Colt shares its platform and powertrains with the Renault Clio.

Rivals

The comparison tool gives exact versions and prices of each rival.

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