The Mitsubishi Mirage may just be one of the automotive industry's best kept secrets. This roomy sedan sets itself apart as a reliable alternative to its uninspired competition, while establishing new standards for comfort, quality and refinement.

Though it shares a name with the sporty Mirage Coupe, the two have few exterior parts in common and have different wheelbases and overall lengths. In fact, the sedan version of the Mirage has a strong resemblance to the Diamante, Mitsubishi Motors' highly regarded luxury performance sedan, and the all-new Galant mid-size. And, for 1999, Mirage has new rear styling and jewel-like tail-lamps for an even more distinctive appearance.

Inside, Mirage has family-sized interior space. There's room for five passengers and an 11.5 cubic foot trunk which expands to carry large items with an available 60/40 split folding rear seat.

Mirage has several "big car" safety features, too. There are dual front air bags, height adjustable front 3-point safety belts, side-guard door beams, and a stiff body structure that provides improved protection in a collision. Child passenger safety is also emphasized with child protection rear door locks and rear child safety seat anchors.

Always place an infant in a rear-facing infant seat in the back seat. Always transport children 1-12 years old in the back seat and use appropriate child restraints. Always buckle your safety belt. Keep 10 inches between the center of the air bag cover and your breastbone.

Yet for all this practicality, Mirage also has many of the fun-to-drive characteristics of Mitsubishi Motors' sportier offerings. A four-wheel independent suspension - with MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar up front, as well as a sophisticated multi-link design at the rear - keeps each tire properly placed in contact with the road and provides a smooth, balanced ride. The result is precise handling that makes Mirage as much a sports sedan as it is a sensible family car.

While Mirage has a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission to fit its distinctive, sporty image, its available four-speed automatic is also a smart choice. Uncommon in the compact class, Mirage's automatic transmission actually adapts itself to the driver's specific style to maximize smoothness and fuel economy. And, during upshifts, the engine's torque is reduced slightly to make the shifts even smoother.

Although Mirage is one of the least expensive sedans on the market, it is certainly difficult to tell from the interior. A thoughtfully laid out dash puts controls where they should be, has a high quality look and feel, and is coded for recycling when it reaches the end of its service life many years from now. And, both models offer a luxurious, rear center armrest, uncommon in this class. Overall, you'll find high quality materials and workmanship in both of Mirage's two sedan models.