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Mitsubishi Lancer VR 2.0L CVT vs Holden Cruze SRi-V

  • By Mark Hinchliffe
  • The Courier-Mail
  • 22 February 2012
  • image

Lancer VR 2.0L CVT and Holden Cruze SRi-V go head to head in this comparative review.

3.5 star

VALUE from $28,890

 4stars

VALUE from $30,490
A mid-life update adds extra value to the Lancer. It now gets USB connectivity, pollen filter, Bluetooth with audio streaming and front foglights.

This Aussie-made sedan comes packed with features such as fog lights, rear parking sensors, colour satnav, USB/iPod/MP3 plug and play, 10GB music hard drive, DVD, leather seats, heated front seats, lit vanity mirrors, 12V sockets front and back and Bluetooth. It comes with a fairly standard threeyear/ 100,000km warranty.
3 starsTECHNOLOGY 3.5 starsTECHNOLOGY

The 2.0-litre MIVEC four-cylinder engine has 110kW but engine management tweaks have yielded a vast improvement in fuel economy from 8.3L/100km to 7.3. It also features keyless start, cruise control, steering wheel controls and auto headlights.

There is some turbo lag off the line, on rolling starts and overtaking manoeuvres but once it spools up, you won't believe it's just a 1.4. It also sips fuel at a miserly 6.9L/100km. The proximity key automatically unlocks the doors. There are steering wheel controls and auto headlights.
3 stars

DESIGN

 3.5 starsDESIGN
The ageing Mitsubishi Lancer hatch has stood the test of time. In this update, the VR also gets front corner air dams.
Inside, Mitsubishi has yet to address the expanse of hard dashboard plastic but has added soft touch door trims with leather inserts. Our test vehicle was the 30th Anniversary Edition Lancer with extra kit.		 It looks like a small-scale Commodore, which is not a bad thing. Holden has spruced it up with chrome accents and the discreet tailpipe is very neat. Inside, there are more classy chrome touches, but conventional and intuitive controls. It has ample rear legroom for adults and now comes with a footrest for the driver.
3.5 starsSAFETY 3 starsSAFETY

Safety has been improved in the update. The VR gets reversing sensors and a reversing camera with the monitor in the rearview mirror, where it belongs.  It comes with a five-star ANCAP crash safety rating and seven airbags.

The Cruze earns a five-star ANCAP crash safety rating and has six airbags, stability control and ABS. It has rear parking sensors but doesn't have a reversing camera; not that it needs it as the rear visibility is much better than in the Lancer hatch.
3.5 starsDRIVING 3.5 starsDRIVING

There is no turbo lag off the line, just instant power that, unfortunately, tugs at the steering wheel. Otherwise it handles with a neutral feel (torque steer in the wet aside). The cabin is quiet, the accommodation pleasant.

 Drivers will be surprised by the Cruze's nippiness around town despite its small engine. However, it has light and vague steering and the six-speed auto can be a little rough and unpredictable at times.
OVERALL STAR RATING FINAL POINTS
 3.5 stars image
OVERALL STAR RATING FINAL POINTS
4 stars image

VERDICT

Mitsubishi has updated the Lancer to make it a better value proposition but it's still a little dated. We're happy to say the Aussie-made Cruze is the winner here as a solid, utilitarian car that will please with its high level of equipment and technology. 

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 6 comments

  • I reccommend you drive them both, you’ll find the holden more refined and it seems to drive a little better. As for the safety, cruze wins apart from the camera, it has a better ancap score and if you can’t reverse without a camera you shouldn’t have a license. Japanese means a lot less than it did. I’ve had a lot of problems with a not so old mitsubishi a few years back and problems with a brand new mazda quite recently. Bought a cruze and so far couldn’t be happier. Maybe I’m just unlucky but I’m not the only one who has had problems with Japanese.

    Jason of Brisbane Posted on 25 February 2012 4:50pm

  • Having driven both, I prefer the lancer.  The quality of the locally built cruze, if my friends experience is anything to go by,  is shocking… He has had dramas with electrics and just last week, told me his drivers sider window is tempremental…. it goes up & down only 2 inches at a time….  he has been to the holden dealer 2 times already and said they werent helpful and the problems still exist. The lancer I drove had a auto gearbox which i wasnt fond of… but it had more guts and predictable to drive.

    nik Posted on 24 February 2012 8:13pm

  • Steven A, I would add one other Lancer advantage: resale. Holden have long done the dirty on their small and medium customers here. Price cuts and discounting reduce trade-ins, the Daewoo models are lauded when new by the salespeople but are worth jack at trade-time and the older Opel based models are too dear for parts. The Cruze is a step up, but will Holden respect it’s customers?

    shebs Posted on 24 February 2012 7:53pm

  • Reality is this, but firstly Im wondering why both vehicles dont have similar capacity engines to even out this camparison.
    It seems that the Lancer is the real winner here, this vehicle has a bullet proof reputation and is less than 12 months away from being replaced with a new generation model, so with the best safety rating available, packed with technology and features, a sporty design that has stood the test of time proves this vehicle is the winner over the brand new Holden. A new model from Holden should be a considerably better vehicle but it isnt & the Holden winning by just half a star proves the Lancer is a winner plus knowing its built locally by Holden also puts a big question mark over the Cruz’s quality, refinement & longevity. Finally the Mivec engines available in the Lancer range are all very good, the basic 2.0ltr is ideal and gutsy, the 2.4ltr has grunt and go, the 2.0ltr Ralliart puts a big bloody smile on your face and as for the 2.0ltr turbo version in the Evolution, well that will make you wet your pants, kill a few V8’s on the way and make you knock back sex to drive it. So Rupert of Wagga I disagree with you and DavidZ you have a very valid point.

    Steven A of Sydney Posted on 24 February 2012 1:50pm

  • I havn’t ever driven a Cruze sri-v, but Lancers are gutless cheep s-boxes.

    rupert of wagga Posted on 22 February 2012 3:37pm

  • Lancer is MUCH better Japanese built quality, better backed and safer, and with capped price services, Lancer wins.

    DAVIDZ of AUS Posted on 22 February 2012 12:24pm
Read all 6 comments

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