The specification list and gas mileage for the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage read more like a car from the 1980s--but it's coming to market with a distinctly 2013 price tag.

A five-door, light weight and aerodynamically efficient hatchback, the Mirage straddles the minicar and subcompact markets, but its 38-40 mpg combined figure is better than vehicles in either class.

Its price tag is a little more than some though, sources putting it at $12,995.

2014 Mitsubishi Mirage: Brief Drive

For that, you get the basic 74-hp, 3-cylinder, 1.2-liter model with a five speed manual transmission--surely the choice for those wishing to make the most of the car's impressive economy. Official EPA figures for the manual haven't been revealed, but educated guesses put it at around 38 mpg combined, with around 34 mpg city and 43 mpg highway.

The CVT model, for an extra $1,000, is the more efficient on paper.

Launched at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, the same 1.2-liter engine is capable of 40 mpg combined with the CVT. It's also capable of 37 mpg city and 44 mpg highway, a testament to the car's sub-1,900 lb curb weight and 0.28 drag coefficient.

A higher spec ES version, according to the dealer source via Jalopnik, will cost $14,195 and another thousand for the CVT.

Those prices may be a little higher than some were expecting for such an uncomplicated car. A 2013 Nissan Versa starts at $11,990 before delivery fees, despite being a larger car with a larger engine.

We still expect the Mitsubishi will find some fans though--just as simple, economical cars like the much-maligned Geo Metro did a few decades back.

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