Mitsubishi Colt: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Mitsubishi Colt version to choose depends on whether the priority is low measured fuel consumption, stronger acceleration, or an older lightweight three-door. Among the current 7 generation models, the 1.6 Hybrid Multi-Mode AT is the clear all-round specification leader: it reaches 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds, uses 4.1 l/100 km combined, and emits 92 g/km of CO₂.
The Mitsubishi Colt version to choose depends on whether the priority is low measured fuel consumption, stronger acceleration, or an older lightweight three-door. Among the current 7 generation models, the 1.6 Hybrid Multi-Mode AT is the clear all-round specification leader: it reaches 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds, uses 4.1 l/100 km combined, and emits 92 g/km of CO₂. The 1.0 i T MT offers the same 180 km/h top speed with a lighter 1,097 kg kerb weight, while the 1.0 i MT is the least powerful at 67 hp and takes 17.1 seconds to reach 100 km/h. For performance, however, the standout historical versions are the 3 generation 1.6 MT with 160 hp and a 6.7-second acceleration time, and the restyled 6 generation 1.5 MT with 150 hp and a 210 km/h maximum speed.
Mitsubishi Colt generations compared
The Colt catalogue contains 8 generation entries, but the 2008–2011 restyling belongs within the 6 generation rather than representing a separate generation. The body catalogue covers Mini 3-doors, Mini 5-doors, and Cabrio models.
The 1 generation ran from 1978 to 1984 as a Mini 5-doors with 6 modifications. Its listed choices were 1.2 MT with 55 hp and 1.4 MT with either 70 or 105 hp. All used Gasoline, Inline 4-cylinder engines, Manual gearboxes, and FWD. These cars had 165 mm ground clearance, independent spring front suspension, dependent leaf-spring rear suspension, front disc brakes, and rear drum brakes.
The 2 generation ran from 1984 to 1988 as a Mini 3-doors with 8 modifications. The range extended from the 55 hp 1.2 MT to the turbocharged 125 hp 1.6 MT, with 58 hp and 60 hp Diesel versions of 1.8 MT also listed. Every version used a Manual gearbox and FWD, and ground clearance was 155 mm.
The 3 generation ran from 1988 to 1992 as a Mini 3-doors with 10 modifications. Its engines ranged from 60 hp to 160 hp and included Gasoline and Diesel choices. The quickest measured model was the turbocharged 1.6 MT with 160 hp, 221 Nm, a 6.7-second 0–100 km/h time, and a 203 km/h top speed. All listed versions used Manual gearboxes and FWD.
The 4 generation ran from 1992 to 1996 as a Mini 3-doors with 7 modifications. It offered 1.3 MT, several 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT specifications, plus 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT. Output ranged from 75 hp to 140 hp. Manual versions used 5 gears, Automatic versions used 4 gears, and all were FWD.
The 5 generation ran from 1995 to 2004 as a Mini 3-doors with 8 modifications. Its 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT versions produced either 75 or 82 hp, while 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT versions produced 90 or 103 hp. It retained FWD throughout and paired Manual versions with 5 gears and Automatic versions with 4 gears.
The 6 generation ran from 2002 to 2012 as a Cabrio and lists 52 modifications, of which 12 are shown in the supplied data. The displayed Cabrio range includes 1.1 MT, 1.3 MT, 1.3 DSG, 1.5 MT, and 1.5 CVT, with outputs from 75 to 150 hp. The 2008–2011 restyling changed the body listing to Mini 5-doors and contains 14 modifications, with 12 shown. Its displayed range includes the same principal engine sizes but adds specifications such as the 163 hp 1.5 MT and an AWD 1.3 CVT.
The 7 generation has been listed since 2023 as a Mini 5-doors with 3 modifications: 1.0 i MT, 1.0 i T MT, and 1.6 Hybrid Multi-Mode AT. It combines Gasoline and Hybrid powertrains, uses FWD throughout, and is the only generation here with Euro 6 figures supplied for every version.
Mitsubishi Colt engine specs
The table concentrates on the principal buying alternatives and distinguishes identically named versions by output.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation 1.2 MT | 55 hp | not measured | 1,200 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | FWD |
| 1 generation 1.4 MT | 70 hp | not measured | 1,400 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 1 generation 1.4 MT (105 hp) | 105 hp | not measured | 1,400 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 2 generation 1.6 MT (125 hp) | 125 hp | not measured | 1,597 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 2 generation 1.8 MT (58 hp) | 58 hp | not measured | 1,796 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 3 generation 1.3 MT (75 hp) | 75 hp | 102 Nm | 1,299 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4 | FWD |
| 3 generation 1.6 MT (160 hp) | 160 hp | 221 Nm | 1,595 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 3 generation 1.8 MT (135 hp) | 135 hp | 159 Nm | 1,836 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 4 generation 1.3 MT | 75 hp | 108 Nm | 1,299 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 4 generation 1.6 MT (113 hp) | 113 hp | 137 Nm | 1,597 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 4 generation 1.8 MT | 140 hp | 177 Nm | 1,798 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 5 generation 1.3 AT (75 hp) | 75 hp | 108 Nm | 1,299 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 | FWD |
| 5 generation 1.6 MT (103 hp) | 103 hp | 141 Nm | 1,597 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 6 generation Cabrio 1.1 MT | 75 hp | 100 Nm | 1,124 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | No | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 6 generation Cabrio 1.3 DSG | 95 hp | 125 Nm | 1,332 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Robotic, 6 | FWD |
| 6 generation Cabrio 1.5 MT (150 hp) | 150 hp | 210 Nm | 1,468 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 6 generation restyling 1.3 CVT (91 hp) | 91 hp | 122 Nm | 1,332 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Variable | AWD |
| 6 generation restyling 1.5 MT (163 hp) | 163 hp | 210 Nm | 1,468 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 7 generation 1.0 i MT | 67 hp | 95 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | not measured | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 7 generation 1.0 i T MT | 91 hp | 160 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5 | FWD |
| 7 generation 1.6 Hybrid Multi-Mode AT | 94 hp | 148 Nm | 1,598 cc | Hybrid | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic | FWD |
Power density clarifies what buyers receive from the performance engines. The 3 generation 160 hp 1.6 MT produces about 100 hp per litre, while the restyled 6 generation 163 hp 1.5 MT produces about 111 hp per litre. The 7 generation 1.0 i T MT produces about 91 hp per litre, compared with about 67 hp per litre from the non-turbo 1.0 i MT.
Mitsubishi Colt performance, mpg and economy
Among versions with measured acceleration, the 3 generation 160 hp 1.6 MT is quickest at 6.7 seconds to 100 km/h. Its measured consumption is 10 l/100 km in the city, 6.6 l/100 km on the highway, and 9.2 l/100 km combined. The 4 generation 1.8 MT follows at 7.6 seconds, while the 3 generation 135 hp 1.8 MT takes 7.9 seconds.
The restyled 6 generation 150 hp 1.5 MT reaches 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and 210 km/h. It records 8.6 l/100 km city, 5.7 l/100 km highway, and 6.8 l/100 km combined. Acceleration and consumption for the 163 hp 1.5 MT are not measured, so its extra 13 hp cannot be converted into a verified performance advantage from these data.
For lower consumption, the 6 generation 1.1 MT records 5.5 l/100 km combined and 13.2 seconds to 100 km/h. The 1.3 DSG uses 5.6 l/100 km combined and takes either 11.8 or 12 seconds, depending on the listed specification. The 1.3 MT uses 5.8 l/100 km combined and takes either 11 or 11.1 seconds.
In the 7 generation, both the 1.0 i MT and 1.0 i T MT use 5.2 l/100 km combined. The turbo version therefore supplies 24 hp and 65 Nm more without a higher measured combined figure. It also cuts acceleration from 17.1 to 12.2 seconds and raises maximum speed from 160 to 180 km/h. The 1.6 Hybrid Multi-Mode AT improves further to 4.1 l/100 km combined and 9.3 seconds, while matching the turbo model’s 180 km/h maximum speed.
Mitsubishi Colt dimensions, weight and capacity
No exterior length, width, or height is measured in the supplied data. Weight and ground-clearance figures are available and are more useful for comparing the listed versions.
The 7 generation 1.0 i MT weighs 1,049 kg kerb and 1,530 kg gross. The 1.0 i T MT weighs 1,097 kg kerb and 1,570 kg gross, so the turbo equipment adds 48 kg but also adds 24 hp. Their weight-to-power figures are approximately 15.7 and 12.1 kg per hp respectively. The 1.6 Hybrid Multi-Mode AT weighs 1,256 kg kerb and 1,730 kg gross, giving approximately 13.4 kg per hp. All three have 142 mm ground clearance and a 42-litre tank; wheel sizes are not measured.
The restyled 6 generation spans 940–1,160 kg among versions with measured kerb weight. Its 150 hp 1.5 MT weighs 1,160 kg, or approximately 7.7 kg per hp. The 163 hp 1.5 MT weighs 1,110 kg, improving that ratio to approximately 6.8 kg per hp. Turbo models have 140 mm ground clearance and may use 205/45 R16 or 185/50 R15 wheels. Other listed restyled versions have 150 or 154 mm clearance; a 47-litre tank appears throughout.
The 3 generation 160 hp 1.6 MT weighs 1,010 kg, or approximately 6.3 kg per hp, which supports its position as the quickest measured Colt here. The generation uses 155 mm clearance and a 50-litre tank. The 4 and 5 generations use 120 mm clearance, while the 1 generation provides 165 mm.
Which Mitsubishi Colt version should you buy?
Choose the 7 generation 1.0 i T MT if the aim is a current Gasoline specification with the best balance of measured economy and useful performance. Compared with the 1.0 i MT, it delivers 36% more horsepower and 68% more torque, cuts the 0–100 km/h time by 4.9 seconds, and retains the same 5.2 l/100 km combined consumption.
Choose the 7 generation 1.6 Hybrid Multi-Mode AT if an Automatic gearbox and the lowest measured consumption matter most. It uses 1.1 l/100 km less than either 999 cc version, accelerates 2.9 seconds faster than the 1.0 i T MT, and produces 25 g/km less CO₂. The trade-off is 159 kg more kerb weight than the turbo 1.0 i T MT.
Choose the restyled 6 generation 1.5 MT with 150 hp if verified fast-road figures are essential: 7.4 seconds to 100 km/h, 210 km/h, and 6.8 l/100 km combined are all measured. The 163 hp 1.5 MT has the stronger 6.8 kg-per-hp ratio, but its acceleration, maximum speed, and consumption are not measured.
Choose the 3 generation 1.6 MT with 160 hp for the strongest measured acceleration in the catalogue. Its 6.7-second result is 0.7 second quicker than the restyled 150 hp 1.5 MT, but its measured combined consumption is 2.4 l/100 km higher.
For a 6 generation Cabrio, the turbo 1.5 MT with 150 hp is the performance choice, reaching 100 km/h in 8 or 8.4 seconds depending on specification and up to 210 km/h. The 109 hp 1.5 MT takes 10.5 seconds and reaches 185 km/h. Buyers focused on economy should instead examine the 75 hp 1.1 MT, whose 5.5 l/100 km combined figure is the lowest measured among the displayed Cabrio-era specifications.
Reliability, problems, engine-oil requirements, maintenance costs, and purchase prices are not measured in the supplied data. Those factors cannot be used to rank the versions here; this comparison is based strictly on their recorded engines, performance, consumption, weight, and chassis specifications.