Mitsubishi Lancer Reviews

Mitsubishi Lancer LX and Ford Focus Ambiente go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Lancer has been a Mitsubishi success story and has had to carry its passenger car fortunes with the unfortunate demise of the V6-powered and Australian-built 380 a few years ago. It remains the Japanese importer's best seller with nearly 13,000 units sold this year, ahead of Triton and ASX.Nevertheless sales are down 17.6 per cent so far and nearly a third last month. Mazda3 has a strong lead in this sector with 35,766 sales in 2012 with nearly an 18 per cent share, ahead of Toyota Corolla, Holden Cruze and Hyundai i30. Lancer is seventh. The new Corolla and the next generation Golf are expected to make life tougher for Lancer as well as the others. But Mitsubishi is hitting back with the LX.VALUEValue is the name of the game and the new LX sits at the centre of the campaign. At $23,990 drive away it offers plenty of bang for the buck. It comes with Bluetooth 2.0 with voice activation and streaming audio plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and phone controls and a new audio system for easier operation and optimum sound.There's also a new 6.1-inch full colour display audio system that also features the rear view camera view. Foibles are few. The USB port is hard to find, there is tilt-only adjustment for the steering and the Bluetooth link can be fussy. To sweeten the deal Mitsubishi offers a five year/130,000km new vehicle warranty, five year Roadside Assist and Capped Price Servicing for the first four years or 60,000km.TECHNOLOGYAlthough not cutting edge, the Lancer has the brand's staple MIVEC variable intake valve lift and timing system within the 110kW/197Nm alloy 2.0-litre engine. The familiar snout of the three-diamond brand is starting to age and needs an update. It looks distinctive enough but is not as modern as the sleeker opposition, especially the new Corolla and the latest crop from Korea.DESIGNComfort has been boosted with heated front seats, a power driver's seat and climate control airconditioning. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, side air dams and a host of chrome touches on the radiator grille, boot lid accent on the sedan model, door handles and belt line moulding.SAFETYThere's an extensive array of safety features, including Active Stability and Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist, and seven airbags, including driver and passenger front, side and curtain, and driver knee airbag to score a five star ANCAP safety rating. The LX also features a reversing camera and reverse parking sensors to improve driver awareness and visibility, along with keyless entry and engine start to make life a little easier.DRIVINGThe 2.0-litre engine is lively and more flexible than the numbers suggest, as well as being close to its ADR fuel-use figure. I finished with a figure of 7.5L/100km, when the company claims 6.9. The five-speed manual is fairly simple to use, not super-slinky, but with good feel and engagement, however it is one short of the normal six-speeder in this class.Most buyers will opt for the continuously variable auto transmission, but I prefer the manual. The cabin is a comfortable space, with climate control for our summer but the heated front seats won't be needed here unless you live on the Tableland and it's winter. It's easy to drive and easy to park with the rear parking sensors and camera a bonus.The steering is light and points well, the ride nicely absorbent and there's plenty of grip. But it's not a sharp handler, like the Mazda3 or Ford Focus, and the stability control kept kicking in when I was getting a bit frisky coming down the Rex Range between Julatten and Mossman. The brakes are great and there's adequate performance for overtaking.The LX cruises smoothly enough with only the coarse bitumen surfaces invading the interior. It's better than previous Lancers but still too noisy. Wind noise is low except for when punching into a head wind. The engine is quiet.VERDICTThe Lancer's age is offset by some worthy features, including a great warranty that provides some level of security. It's not quite up to the dynamics of a Mazda3 or a Focus, rather it's a civilised little all-rounder. The LX is a pleasant small car that will appeal to many and at $23,990 drive away is good value too.Mitsubishi Lancer LXPrice: $23,990 drive awayWarranty: Five years/130,000kmResale: 54 per centService Interval: 12 months/15,000kmSafety: 5 star ANCAPEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 110kW/197NmTransmission: Five-speed manual, FWDThirst: 6.9L/100km (on test 7.5L), 91RON, 59 litres, 162g/km CO2Weight: 1285kg

No matter how schmick the car looks, though, at this sort of money there are probably one or two expensive time bombs lurking within it.

Graham Smith reviews the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer as a used buy.

The Mitsubishi Evo has something of a reputation as a boy racer. But at a price of almost $75,000 you're unlikely to see too many "boys" driving this particular model. The Lancer Evolution or EVO for short is everything Mitsuibish does best rolled into one, gleaned from years of rally experience.I remember the first time I drove one of these cars, the Evo VI Makinen special edition. It was back in 2001 before they were commercially available in Australia. Man, what a piece of work  but at $80,000 it was a big ask.These days it's still a big ask but you get a hell of a lot more car for your money  although less performance some might say. Back then the EVO had a cheap, plastic interior with a single basic CD player from the standard Lancer. These days the EVO is almost sumptuous in comparison.It's a 2.0-litre turbocharged and intercooled four with 217kW of power and 366Nm of torque. The turbocharged MIVEC Engine is 12.5kg lighter than before, with a new titanium turbocharger that delivers an improvement of up to 18 per cent in response time. The MIVEC system has also been refined with a direct-acting valve-train for additional weight reduction and optimal power.Power is transmitted to all four wheels through the the Twin Clutch Sport Shift Transmission (SST) and super all-wheel drive system, with different settings for tarmac, gravel and snow. It rides on Bilsteins and Eibach springs with lightweight BBS alloys that are shod with 245/40 series rubber.You can change gears manually via the paddle shifts which are fixed to the steering column just like a Ferrari. The stoppers are Brembos all round of course. Inside there's leather clad Recaros and satellite navigation. The CD player is still a single but it's hooked up to a hi-end Rockford Fosgate system with nine speakers including a separate subwoofer. What's not to like?The EVO's arch enemy is of course the Subaru WRX STI. The thing is the top of the whiz STI.Spec R is $9000 cheaper and arguably faster, at least off the mark. The manual does the dash in 5.4 secs and the SST in 5.6 secs, compared to 4.9 and 6.0 secs respectively for the comparable STI Spec.R sedan. But it's like Fords and Holdens  you're either an EVO devotee or an STI diehard and the never the twain shall meet.Fabulous. Feels much better than the less powerful Ralliart model. Apart from the performance, the big difference is in the way the EVO sits on the road and responds to the wheel as well as the speed with which the twin-clutch tranny hooks up (the Ralliart has a particulary annyoying lag).The turbocharged engine revs all the way to 7500 revs but it's way too noisy in the cabin even at low speeds. Available as a sedan only, the EVO has a strong road presence with its large rear wing that will make you the envy of your mates (and their sons).Also: Mitsubishi Evolution MR SST review | long term 2

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?This is the penultimate Lancer, one rung below the Evo but a whole lot more liveable on a day to day basis. It has the Evo engine (detuned) and sports suspension but not race spec'. Generous equipment level gives plenty of luxury and it looks pretty good in the Sportback version.You can have the sedan or the Sportback for the same price - $44,490 both with six-speed dual-clutch manumatic called SST with wheel mounted paddle shift.A "luxury" pack that includes leather, xenons, premium audio and the excellent Mitsubishi Multi Communications System is optional at around four grand taking the price horribly close to $50K.It sells against a swag of Euro models - VW,  Alfa, Renault, Volvo and Mazda MPS, WRX.Plenty of power comes from the 2.0-litre turbo four rated at 177kW/343Nm. It's basically the same donk as the Lancer Evo with a different turbo and variable valve timing on the inlet and exhaust sides. The multi mode all wheel drive system gives additional grip, drive and safety and the SST six-speeder flicks quickly between gears but has smoothness issues at parking speeds.Impressive performer with strong off the mark acceleration, strong mid-range and strong top-end. The exhaust sound is disappointing.Two-mode transmission offers Normal and Sport.Allegedly capable of 9.8-litres/100km (of 98 octane) but we couldn't get that. The best was 10.3 on cruise on the highway.No.Yes, scores a five star ANCAP rating and has seven air bags as well as specially reinforced body, stability control and other life saving technology. Responsive dynamics also help avoid a collision in the first place.Surprisingly good for people who don't want the hard riding, much more expensive Evo. Noise is at a minimum inside the well appointed cabin now with more soft feel surfaces. Excellent driving position, decent audio, roomy for four, five at a pinch.An alternative to a WRX but not as quick. Has a classy feel to it. Quick steering response, corners well and has powerful brakes. Flick it into Sport and it becomes a lot more focussed on fast.Pretty good but some of the competition is super sharp - Renault Megane RS250 (front wheel drive only) for example and Golf GTi (same). Gets plenty of kit including auto headlights and wipers, 18-inch alloys, reversing camera, Bluetooth 2.0, smart key ignition, auto fold exterior mirrors and Ralliart front seats.Would definitely be on the "look at" list especially with fixed price servicing.

Though some were apprehensive about the future of Mitsubishi in Australia when it ceased local production and discontinued the Mitsubishi 380, the Japanese marque continues to thrive here.Mitsubishi Lancer has filled the slot left by the 380, and the Mitsubishi Magna before it, and though smaller than them, frequently meets the needs of those downsizing their family cars. Unless the kids are large teenagers Lancer owners tell us their cars are large enough suit their needs.Lancer’s body styling steers clear of the mainstream in this class and the Mitsubishi stylists have given it a heavily sculpted nose that slants forwards rather than backwards.A neat lower air dam and bold bonnet creases that flow into the A-pillars give it a neat and purposeful look. The angles of the tail-lights add to the stance. The squared off shape of the rear bumper and the way it tapers around visually shortens the overhang.Inside, the double-domed binnacle and deep dial cluster work well both from an aesthetic and ergonomic point of view. The dash trim has a soft touch that gives it a feeling of substance, again making it feel like a larger more upmarket car than it really is. Which is another feature that received positive comments from owners and backs up their statements that the Lancer can be used as a replacement for the Mitsubishi 380.The cabin has plenty of stowage areas for the bottles, mobile phones and assorted bits and pieces we all tend to carry around these days.The Lancer VRX that was our test car for the last week has the convenience of has Bluetooth, steering wheel controls and a smart key.The boot can take a handy amount of luggage and it can be expanded by flipping down the split-fold rear seats. These are fitted across the complete Lancer range. As well as the sedan we tested, Mitsubishi Lancer is also offered as a stylish hatchback. Though the hatch works well, many buyers are opting for the sedan.Stability and traction controls were specified by Mitsubishi Australia as standard in the Lancer for quite some time before they became mandatory in this country.Typically the Lancer’s engine will use about seven to nine litres per hundred kilometres on motorways and in gentle cruising on flattish roads. Around town this is likely to rise to nine to eleven litres per hundred. These are good numbers for a mid-sized family car with good interior volume.The manual gearbox felt a bit on the notchy side at first, but we found that we soon settled into its way of doing things and liked the sporting feeling. There's also the option of a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The latter can be an acquired taste, but once you’re used to its different operation most owners soon cease to notice its peculiarities.The Lancer sits confidently flat when you drive it around corners with a bit of verve. However, there is a less than compliant ride at times when you hit rough bush roads. The firmish suspension won’t please everybody so try to take one for a decent test drive on suitable roads to see what you think.Steering is well-weighted and responsive and driving enthusiasts will enjoy the experience in what is after all a practical family sedan.Those who love to drive will appreciate the control the suspension offers and, while you really wouldn't call it a sports sedan, it comes closer than you might expect.Mitsubishi’s Lancer is built to a high quality in Japan and has earned a well deserved reputation for flawless running for year after year. While not the most exciting car on the road it fills the needs of family car drivers. It is well priced and in this hard fought segment of the market it holds its own nicely.

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

Whether you can't afford a Lancer Evo X or just can't see $66,000 in it these days, there's a real-world alternative that saves 20 big ones and a fair bit of wear on your fillings.The Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart runs a milder version of the Evo's engine and its previous generation's all-wheel-drive system. It can't emulate the staggering cat-on-a-curtain dynamics of the Lancer flagship but it must be the best-value hot family car to be had.VALUEThis gets better the closer you look with $44,490 for the MY12 version plus $450 for metallic paint. Standard is brake assist system, nicer trims, eight spoke alloys and reversing sensors with a brilliant, class-leading rear mirror mounted camera.The $4000 luxury pack adds multi-media system, premium audio and leather. That's approaching Golf R money  but VW's service costs are wincingly steep. The Mitsu provides capped costs to 60,000km, five years roadside assist, a five-year/130,000km warranty and a whole decade's powertrain protection.As the bloke at the garage said: "Who guarantees a turbo for 10 years?" If value is peace of mind, Mitsubishi has the pack eating dust.TECHNOLOGYOne gearbox for the Ralliart, the six-speed TC-SST automated manual which transmits the four-cylinder turbo petrol's handy 177kW/343Nm to all four wheels. Flappy paddle tranny aside, there's nothing altogether new about its array but, as with so much about the "Lallirat" it is unexceptional but exceptionally effective.The AWD system lacks  the miraculous yaw sensors of the Evo X, getting instead a simpler rear differential. Again, it's surpassingly adequate.STYLING"Polarising" to be polite. The problem with so strident a design as the Lancer's is its propensity to age rapidly. Standing out is one thing, sticking out is another  see the Mazda3 in a few years. Some already see the near-five-year-old Lancer that way.Equally subjectively, I much prefer the sedan, though I'd pay money to de-option its whacking great boot spoiler. Open the door and it's hard to contradict the detractors. Slabby, plasticky, grey and grim, the perception of ordinariness is hardly dispelled by doors that slam with a hollow tinny report. Sorry, a near-$50,000 car without a fully adjustable steering column just ain't good enough.SAFETYThe five-star crash safety rating equals the best. The average airbag component plus one (equals seven) puts it ahead. With the best front-wheel-drives being so adept, you can argue that the perceived advantage of all-paw grip is marginal. For the greater part of the time, there's much to this argument. Then there might come a time when maximum traction is vital.DRIVINGIf your driving life is spent on track trying to surpass your previous lap time, or otherwise at 10/10ths, you could take issue with the Ralliart's weight and less than linear acceleration off the mark. All the torque turns up at 2500rpm and it's plain sailing thereafter. Left in normal, the SST seeks high gear as early as feasible, kicking down smartly under a decent prod.Flipping sport mode takes it down a couple of gears  this is too frenetic for anything other than those mystical mountain roads untroubled by law enforcement. Body control is a highlight, especially given a near 1600kg kerb weight.VERDICTAs close as you'll come to an affordable shopping trolley go-kart.Mitsubishi Lancer RalliartPrice: from $44,490Engine: four-cylinder turbo petrol, 177kW/343NmTransmission: six-speed TC-SST ManualSafety: Five-star crash ratingWarranty: 5 years/130,000km

The first lesson for first-car buyers is to forget power and performance - go for safety, reliability and low running costs. Today's car choices are far wider and considerably less basic that Peter Brock's first car, a stripped-down 750cc Austin Seven. But the exercise of buying your car demands patience and - if possible - expert consideration.Compared with buying new, you will save money purchasing a used car. But be aware that a used car may require expensive repair costs, may be less fuel efficient and that its safety standards are likely to be lower than a new car. The basic safety gear you want are two airbags and ABS brakes.Every car is different because each has been treated differently during its life. Be cognisant that cheap new cars are bought on a budget and the penny-pinching owners may skimp on regular servicing and repairs. Steer away from hotted-up cars - you want reliable, easy-to-fix transport here, not a temperamental, ground-hugging runt that sounds like it's lost its exhaust pipe.There are a few quality used car models that have lasted the distance. These have retained a solid reputation for quality and reliability, have a strong spare parts back-up, simple service schedule and are renown for just being easy to live with.The only downside is they won't be the newest car on your block and they're unlikely to be the most rewarding ride of your life. But you have to start somewhere. Just like Peter Brock.CHOICESThese are some used cars, not in any particular order, that should be reliable first-time cars. But each car is different. Ensure your car is professionally checked before buying and that all the car's service papers are accurate, regular and preferably stamped by a competent service centre.NISSAN TIIDAThis model is the evolution of the Pulsar and, I admit, isn't the prettiest car on the road. Fellas, perhaps stay away from this one. But the model is enduring because of its simplicity and low running costs. It has a decent amount of metal around the passenger cell to minimise intrusion in case of a collision, a neat and functional interior with comfortable seats, big boot in the sedan model (and more than adequate in the hatchback version), and four doors so your friends won't have to squeeze past you on the way to access the rear seat.2006 TIIDA TI SEDANCost: $9200 with 79,000kmEngine: 93kW/174Nm 1.8-litre autoFuel economy: 7.8 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 4 airbags, brake assist Crash rating: 4-starMAZDA3Two of my daughters drive these and love them for their comfort and features. Later models are preferable because of the electronic stability control, but earlier versions had at least four airbags and ABS brakes plus a four-star crash rating. Because everyone loves these, they're going to cost a bit more than some rival cars. But Mazda's quality name should extend to the day you sell it allowing it to retain a high resale value.2006 MAZDA3 MAXXCost: $11,500 with 75,000kmEngine: 108kW/182Nm 2.0-litre autoFuel economy: 8.2 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 6 airbags, brake assistCrash rating: 4-star.MITSUBISHI LANCERThese have been made for decades yet nearly all carry a name for reliability. One model, bought with 247,000km on the clock, stayed trouble-free in my household for four years before finding yet another owner. That's not uncommon with Lancers. They're very simple cars but early models fall down badly in safety equipment, so look at 2003 and younger if possible. The 2007-plus models have a five-star crash rating. It doesn't really matter which model you buy but you may have better resale in the future with an automatic with four or five doors that will appeal to a wider audience.2006 LANCER LS SEDANCost: $10,000 with 70,000kmEngine: 115kW/220Nm 2.4-litre autoFuel economy: 8.5 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 2 airbagsCrash rating: 3-star.TOYOTA COROLLAThis is a stablemate of suburban living with the distinction of being a member of practically every Australian household since the 1970s. It's always been a simple and reliable car without any major hiccups, though the Toyota badge means there's a premium - justified or otherwise - on the price. Paying the extra on the Corolla name alone may not be worth it - look closely at each car before purchase. Toyota was one of the last major carmakers to introduce extra features - such as additional airbags and stability control - on base versions. Better models started from 2000 and the more upmarket versions (Levin and Ultima, for example) are preferred.2006 COROLLA CONQUEST SEDANCost: $10,500 with 75,000kmEngine: 93kW/161Nm 1.8-litre autoFuel economy: 7.4 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 2 airbagsCrash rating: 4-star.MITSUBISHI MAGNAThis is something a bit bigger and yet is generally priced about the same as the smaller cars. Mitsubishi made these in Australia and progressive years honed the product to excellent reliability while ho-hum styling and performance slashed resale. That makes this big family car good buying today. Magnas ended their run in 2005 and today these are the pick of the bunch, even though the powerplant was a 3.5-litre V6 with a four-speed auto. These cars were common in government and rental fleets but don't be put off - that means they've been regularly se rviced and repaired.2005 MAGNA ES SEDANCost: $5000 with 120,000kmEngine: 155kW/316Nm 3.5-litre V6 autoFuel economy: 11.5 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 4 airbags, traction controlCrash rating: 3-star.SUBARU LIBERTYAnother biggish car that offered high safety standards for its era. The later Libertys are also attractive, well equipped - in their day they weren't a cheap car - and roomy. The downside may be lacklustre performance, so-so fuel economy and some high-priced spare parts but we're primarily chasing a reliable and safe car choice here. The Libertys are all-wheel drive sedans and wagons which aids safety on wet roads rather than giving them any off-road ability (for that, look at the Subaru Outback).2006 LIBERTY 2.5i SEDANCost: $11,500 with 75,000kmEngine: 121kW/226Nm 2.5-litre autoFuel economy: 9.5 L/100kmSafety features: ABS brakes, 6 airbags, traction controlCrash rating: 5-star.