10,000 Mile Review of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Inside EVs, a great blog dedicated to everything EV, posted a long-term review of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. One of their writers has driven the i-MiEV for 10,000 miles and he posted his thoughts, so here they are! If you're interested, be sure to check out our online selection of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV after reading.

Our very own Electric Vehicle Consultant, Adam Crowley

"The iMiEV components are laid out in a very straightforward manner, as discrete components in cast aluminum housings with quick-connect cables rather than hardwired and hidden in a sea of black plastic. That really appealed to the shadetree mechanic in me," he wrote.

Adam with another new i-MiEV owner!

Jay Donnaway, the writer/reviewer/driver said that his family had originally planned for the i-MiEV to be their second car and his commuter, but it quickly ended up being their No. 1.

He says the interior is simple and easy to keep clean, the torque is metered out gently but the vehicle has great acceleration and he's actually been able to tow things from a tow hitch he had installed in the back. Mitsubishi has said that it's not recommended for towing purposes (obviously), but Donnaway has towed up to 800 lbs so far with no glitches!

As for snow handling, he took it out in a parking lot full of snow and did whatever he could to make it slide, but he says that the i-MiEV is "idiot proof" and he couldn't make it slide much at all.

The car has made several hundred-mile trips with Donnaway, and when he's solo he said he can fit an abundance of things in the back. When the seats are folded down, the i-MiEV has 50 cubic feet of flat-floored, cubic space.

Donnaway, who has been hesitant about the Nissan LEAF (an i-MiEV competitor) says that unlike the LEAF, which has had many thermal issues, the i-MiEV has none. This is due to the air conditioned battery pack in the i-MiEV, which according to Mitsubishi is expected to last a minimum of 10 years without decline or malfunction.

"All-in-all, after eight months and ten thousand miles, I’m quite pleased with our purchase and expect to hand it over as a very reliable and safe first car for my daughter in ten years when she turns sixteen," he said. Sounds like a great car to me!


Review via Jay Donnaway of Inside EVs