The cheapest new car in the Netherlands is becoming more expensive

Until recently, the Mitsubishi Space Star was listed for €15,990 in the Dutch price lists. This made it the cheapest new passenger car in the Netherlands. The Space Star managed to stay ahead of the Hyundai i10, which is in second place with a starting price of €16,595. Each version of the Mitsubishi Space Star will be €500 more expensive from March 1, with the result that the starting price of the Space Star will increase to €16,490. The Mitsubishi Space Star remains the cheapest new passenger car in the Netherlands, but the price difference with the Hyundai i10 is now only €105.

For €16,490 you get a compact five-door hatchback with a 71 hp and 102 Nm strong 1.2 four-cylinder. That machine is always linked to a manual five-speed gearbox in combination with the basic Entry version. However, the Space Star is also available with a CVT transmission, although you can only choose the Dynamic and Instyle versions. If you push hard, you should be able to reach a speed of 100 km / h in 14.1 seconds with a Space Star with manual gearbox. With CVT, the Mitsubishi Space Star needs 15.8 seconds to hit 100 km / h. The average consumption of the variant with manual gearbox is 4.9-5.1 l/100 km (CVT: 5.3-5.5 l/100 km).

Equipment

Basic trim Entry offers, among other things, a light and rain sensor, electrically operated front windows and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors. For air conditioning you have to move to the Connect +. That version also offers, among other things, central door locking with remote control, a parcel shelf, a rear spoiler, a USB connection, a start/stop system and a DAB + radio. The Dynamic adds things like 14-inch light metal, electrically heated exterior mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, privacy glass, cruise control, LED rear lights, automatic climate control and a reversing camera. Top version Instyle goes over that with 15-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, modified housing for the fog lights, heated seats and an automatically dimming interior mirror. If you go for a CVT automatic transmission, you also get an armrest between the front seats.

It is the second time in a relatively short time that Mitsubishi has increased the prices of the Space Star by €500. The brand already did so in September 2022. The English Autocar recently wrote that the Space Star (called Mirage there) would soon go out of production. According to the Dutch importer, the Space Star will remain available until well into 2023.

Prices Mitsubishi Space Star

For €105 more, the Hyundai i10 offers relatively much in basic trim.

And the Hyundai i10?

The Hyundai i10 is in the order books as an i-Drive from €16,595. Like the Space Star in basic trim, the entry-level i10 is on 14-inch steel wheels and you have to do without air conditioning. Unlike in the Space Star Entry, you have to manually adjust the exterior mirrors in the i10 i-Drive. You do get, among other things, an active lane assistant, cruise control, automatic high beam and a start/stop system as standard. As far as safety systems are concerned, the i10 is better in its stuff for €105 extra. Under the hood is a 67 hp and 97 Nm strong 1.0 three-cylinder engine that helps the i10 with manual gearbox to a speed of 100 km / h in just under 15 seconds. Its consumption: 4.8-5.0 l/100 km.