Mitsubishi Lancer VR-X 2004 Review

Peope turn to look at the latest Mitsubishi Lancer VR-X. Youngsters, in particular, want to get a closer view of a car that picks up some clear clues and cues from the Lancer Evo dream machine, the fast-car arrowhead for the three-diamonds car company.

A lot of people even make the mistake of thinking the VR-X is an Evo. Which can be a big ego boost for the owner of a $26,990 car – the Evo is a $60,000 road rocket.

They also want to know how and why the VR-X is currently starring as eviction transport on the latest series of the Big Brother reality show.

It's all down to clever packaging and smart marketing, which has been sadly missing from the Mitsubishi lineup in recent years.

The VR-X has to go up against some pretty smart motors in the $20,000-something small car clash, including Toyota's wicked Corolla Sportivo at $29,990, the class-leading Mazda3 from $21,490 and even the Subaru Impreza from $23,990.

But Mitsubishi has managed to undercut most of the quick car contenders by leaving out a hot engine and concentrating on the look-good and feel-good gear.

The VR-X's bright paintwork, bold body kit and alloy wheels, and the latest in trendy clear-over-chrome tail lamps, send a clear and attractive message to twenty-something shoppers. It's also intended to make the car a good deal with an on-the-road price below $30,000.

But even the best deals cannot disguise the shortcomings of the Lancer, which is a sedan in a land of hot hatches, concedes plenty of kilowatts and comes from a base car that's nowhere near the benchmark models, led by the Mazda3.

You would hardly recommend a starting-price Lancer ES to your friends, even at $19,990.

Still, there is a lot to like behind the bold new nose which says the VR-X, and all the latest Lancers, have been delivered to showrooms after the switch to the new styling direction last year.

There was a general freshen-up for the family last year, following the introduction of the latest series of Lancers in 2002. They are much the same as earlier models, with a roomy cabin and honest-not-special running gear, but the VR-X got a lot of treatment.

It includes everything from the obvious alloys and body kit to body-coloured mirrors, trim bits around the gear lever, all-black fabric in the cabin and a lid for the centre console.

On the road

The latest Lancer looks good and drives nicely. Good and nice. But that's not enough in the small-car hotbed, particularly from a brand suffering a major image slide.

Mitsubishi has always built solid, sensible cars, but the threat to its car-making operation in South Australia is reverberating through showrooms and creating a lack of support for the brand.

It should rebound, but at the moment we know a lot of people who are worried about everything from workshop support to resale values.

There won't be a drama with parts or service, but the resale worry is going to take a while to shake off and, until it does, any Mitsubishi – even the Lancer – is going to be some sort of risk from new and a secondhand bargain.

But back to the VR-X, because it's one of the cars that has to take up the slack.

The basic Lancer is an all right sort of car, which does better with equipment than its rolly suspension and lacklustre engine, but the VR-X makes a big step forward and is the sort of car you'd like to be seen driving.

It definitely looks nicer than a boxy Corolla Sportivo and there is the Evo link as well.

The Lancer goes well-ish, relying more on torque than power for its performance and the gearbox ratios help it. The actual gearshift is notchy, but it's the only shortcoming in the powertrain.

The suspension rides with good control and the cornering speeds and balance are fine for a car in this class; nothing outstanding, but still safe and solid. Same with the brakes.

We reckon the headlamps are lousy, but the Lancer is easy to park and the cabin is nice and bright with solid support from the seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

People will shop the VR-X against its rivals and it doesn't have enough impact to compete head-to-head with the pacesetters.

The Mazda3 is better as a base car and really stars if you're prepared to pay more for the 2.3-litre power pack. We'd even go for a same-price Corolla or Civic or Astra over the dressy VR-X, while the latest Hyundai Elanta -- despite the styling -- is a bargain that really delivers.

It's not that the Lancer isn't good, but even as a VR-X it's just not good enough. And that's what's been wrong with the whole Mitsubishi lineup for far too long.

The bottom line

Sharp new looks and Big Brother boost cannot cover the shortcomings of a dated package.