2012 Mitsubishi i-Miev Video

The new four-door all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV (also known as the Mitsubishi i) is the most affordable EV available in the U.S., with a price that undercuts the Nissan Leaf by more than $6,000. But you pay for that lower price, according to Cars.com Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder, who says you’re better off with the Leaf.

Comments

While Joe mentions the Level 3 charger in passing, it's kind of a big deal if you want the flexibility of quick charging in the future (not the kind of thing you can add later). Taking that into account, the price difference between a base trim i ES w/quickcharge and the Nissan SL (since the SV doesn't offer quickcharge) is a lot closer to $8K. That's a meaningful difference to me, and I can't justify spending it when the i is so well matched to my needs. I wouldn't question the judgment of buyers who prefer the Leaf, as it really is a much nicer car. But Joe seems to be questioning the judgment of those who'd prefer to spend only what they need to get all they want. By that reasoning, I suppose he'd dismiss the idea of people buying Corollas because Camrys are just a few grand more?