Mitsubishi Lancer Reviews

Quality, condition and service history are the most important things to consider when choosing a cheaper car for the young motorist.Buy the best car you can afford, in the best condition, with a solid service history and you shouldn't go wrong.Most young drivers, or their parents, usually have a limited amount of money to spend, which necessitates looking at older models to find the ones that fit. Buying a quality older car almost certainly means buying one from a Japanese carmaker, such as the CE Mitsubishi Lancer.Mitsubishi launched the CE Lancer in 1996 and it ran until 2004. Prices now range around $1500 for the earliest examples to as much as $7000 for the last ones. It's available in practical sedan and wagon body styles, and a coupe, which is likely to be the most appealing to young drivers.Two four-cylinder single overhead camshaft engines were offered. One was a 1.5-litre, the other a larger 1.8-litre unit, both of which offered a combination of solid performance and good fuel economy. The GLi was the entry model and came in sedan and coupe form.It came standard with power steering, cloth trim, full wheel trims, and a fairly basic two-speaker sound system. For more there was the GLXi sedan and wagon that came with central locking, power mirrors and four-speaker sound.IN THE SHOPThe Lancer has an enviable reputation for reliability, but it depends heavily on being well serviced. Walk away from any car that hasn't been properly maintained, even if it appears a cheap buy. Mechanics who regularly work on them say the Lancer gives little trouble, although they stress that it's important to change the cam-timing belt as per Mitsubishi's recommendation of 90,000 km.Older cars tend to get knocked about by owners who couldn't care less, so look closely for panel damage that has been poorly repaired. Under the bonnet look for oil leaks around the engine and gearbox.IN A CRASHGenerally, the Lancer is a strong little car that stands up well in crash testing, making it a safe choice for young drivers. Importantly, Mitsubishi added dual front airbags in 2001, which makes that a key consideration when shopping. ANCAP rated the dual airbag model at 3 stars.UNDER THE PUMPMitsubishi claimed the Lancer averaged around 6.5 L/100 km in their lab tests, which makes it an economical little car. It took 91-octane unleaded fuel and Mitsubishi gave E10 ethanol blend fuel a tick.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $20,730 to $26,950Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder; 69 kW/126 Nm 1.8-litre 4-cylinder; 86 kW/161 NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed auto, front-wheel driveEconomy: 6.5 L/100 km Body: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon, 2-door coupeVariants: GLi, GLXi Safety: 3-star ANCAP

Mitsubishi Lancer VRX Sportback v VW Golf 118TSI Comfortline v Mazda3 SP20 Skyactiv v Ford Focus Titanium hatch v Holden Cruze SRi-V.CAPITALISM is all about choice and no vehicle type offers more choice for buyers than small cars. Australian motorists are blessed with 31 small car models, the largest category on the showroom floor. Little wonder, since the small car appeals to so many buyers on so many levels: It's a great first car, an urban run-around, the modern young family car, a sensible second car and a downsizing option for empty nesters and retirees.In fact, the recently upgraded Mazda3 is actually challenging long-time market leader Commodore for the outright honours in the showroom battle for sales. The classy field of challengers comes from Australia and around the world, including Japan, the US, France, Italy, Germany, South Korea, China, Malaysia, UK, Thailand and the Czech Republic.TEST DRIVERSWe chose five of the seven top-selling small cars for our comparison test and asked a young family and a couple of empty nesters to join us for a suburban drive to find out what they offer.Chris and Trinity Bond, and their children Coen, 6, and Oscar 2.5 live in suburbia where they conduct an insulation business. They are used to bigger cars but acknowledge the economic advantages of a small car and were surprised at the roominess of these vehicles.Bill Griffin, 50, and John Kremastos, 62, are semi-retired builders whose children are now independent. They also see the advantages of a small city run-around and were equally surprised at how many features small cars have these days.From left: Trinity and Chris Bond, John Kremastos and Bill Griffin.VALUEOur field includes high-spec automatics that vary in price by just $2600 from $29,990 for the Holden Cruze SRi-V to $32,590 for the Ford Focus Titanium.Despite being slightly cheaper, the Cruze sedan certainly doesn't suffer from a lack of features with fog lights, rear parking sensors, colour satnav, USB/iPod/MP3 plug and play, 30GB music hard drive, DVD, leather seats, heated front seats, lit vanity mirrors, aux 12V front and back. However, our test car didn't have Bluetooth (it is now standard on the latest models) or rain-sensing wipers which all of the others have.Ford Focus is the only one here with an automatic self-parking system. It also features electric driver's seat, rear parking sensors, Sony sound, dual-zone aircon, partial leather trim, Bluetooth with audio streaming and fog lights.The oldest model in the field is the Mitsubishi Lancer VRX Sportback ($32,490) which is shortly due for a mid-life model  update. Even so, it doesn't suffer from a comparative lack of features with USB connectivity, pollen filter, Bluetooth with audio streaming, front fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, alloy pedals, gear paddle shifters and a rocking Rockford-Fosgate sound system. However, it has a tilt-only adjustable steering wheel while the others also adjust for reach.The newest model is the Mazda3 which is actually the cheapest at $27,990, but ours came with a $3000 optional Luxury Pack featuring Bi-Xenon headlamps, sliding centre armrest console, leather seats, Bose 242-watt amplifier and 10 speakers including subwoofer cleverly tucked inside the space-saver spare wheel in the boot. In standard trim it's still got a lot of kit including fog lights, dual-zone climate aircon with pollen filter and Bluetooth with audio streaming.The Golf is the only model with front and rear fog lights and daytime running lights. It also has dual-zone aircon with a dust and pollen filter, Bluetooth with audio streaming, USB and a chillable glovebox. However, it has no parking sensors, but you can get an optional rear camera and rear sensors. Other options include a parallel parking assistance system, iPod connection and sat nav.The Golf and Mazda have standard keys, while the Lancer has keyless start and the Cruze and Focus have proximity keys that also automatically unlock the car door.All models now come with cruise control, steering wheel controls and auto headlights. In the value stakes, the Focus wins with its high level of spec and the party trick of automatic parallel parking.TECHNOLOGYAll models are petrol-powered, with the Cruze and Golf having turbo engines. Despite these turbocharged models, it's the naturally aspirated Lancer and Focus that win the power stakes on paper, sharing 125kW thanks to their bigger displacement engines.The Golf has 118kW, hence its model name 118, and the Cruze has the lowest power at 103kW. But power figures don't really mean much in real-world situations and the turbo models are certainly the liveliest of the crop, albeit with a little turbo lag off idle.The idea of turbocharging in small cars is not just about power, anyway. It's also about economy with these models having lower capacity engines that sip fuel in a miserly fashion. In the Golf that's 6.2 litres per 100km and 6.9L/100km in the Cruze.The just-released Mazda3 comes with the new fuel-efficient Skyactiv engine and transmission that equal the economy of the Golf. It is also the only model with stop-start technology that switches off the engine while stationary and starts again when you take your foot off the brake.The Lancer is the loser here with 8.9L/100km and no hint of any changes that promise improvements in the November model update.If music, connectivity and Bluetooth are important techno features, most models have a choice of systems. The easiest to use is Bluetooth with audio streaming. However, the Cruze offered the most entertainment options with DVD and a hard drive that the others don't have.Transmissions are six-speed autos with the Golf adding a seventh ratio and the Lancer using a continuously variable transmission.On the low-tech side of things, wheels on our test cars are a mix of 16-inch alloys (Mazda and VW), 17-inch (Cruze) and 18-inch (Lancer and Focus). All feature space-saver spare wheels restricted to 80km/h.DESIGNNew usually means better, but the Lancer's modern design has stood the test of time against the more modern models.Meanwhile, our testers thought the Golf looked "bland" and "plain" in this field.Winner here is the masculine-looking Focus with its menacing grille grimace with Bond declaring "I'm a Holden man but I like the look of the Focus", while his wife prefers the female curves and cute smiley "face" of the Mazda3.The Australian-made Cruze is the only sedan in the crew and comes with a lot of "Holdenised" bits of chrome and detailing. Griffin praises it for looking like a small-scale Commodore. It also has the neatest rear end with a discreet tailpipe.Inside, the Golf loses out again for appearing austere by comparison with the three newcomers, while the Focus is the other extreme, attracting comments that it looked too fussy and like "being trapped inside a 1980s ghetto blaster".The Mazda3 cabin draws some praise, but the wrap-around cockpit styling is criticised as "claustrophobic" and the forward display with colour satnav shines in the windscreen at night and is a distraction.Mitsubishi will have to address the expanse of hard plastic on the dashboard when it updates the Lancer, although the styling is simple, modern and functional.The Cruze is the winner inside with a combination of modern styling enhanced by tasteful touches of chrome, but traditional controls that are easy to understand and use.All have 60/40 rear split seats and fair legroom for small cars.In the back, all cargo areas are well carpeted with flat floors. The Focus boot seems the smallest, while the Cruze cargo area is very deep and despite not being a hatchback, it fits a ladder with ease.SAFETYEvery car in our comparison test - like many of the vehicles in this category - comes with a full five-star ANCAP safety rating making them a truly family car.They have six airbags while the Golf and Lancer add a knee airbag for the driver.They also feature stability control which works best in the Golf and was found to be a little over-reactive in the Lancer during a brief, but heavy downpour.DRIVINGSmall cars are built for the city streets and occasional highway run, so that's how we tested these vehicles.The benchmark in driving dynamics has long been the Golf which is a former Carsguide's Car of the Year.It has road-handling poise, a fast-acting transmission, a lively engine, sharp brakes ("severe" says Kremastos) and a natural steering feel.Our testers unanimously criticise the turbo lag from idle. Kremastos and Chris Bond claim it would "drive them nuts", however Griffin says you can drive around the problem.Once under way, the Golf is a spirited and rewarding drive.The Focus launched recently to rave reviews that hinted it might knock off the Golf for dynamics.However, our testers are not as impressed. They criticise the rough and indecisive transmission while Mrs Bond doesn't like the zigzag patterned gate of the selector.Her husband says handling is good, but "power is average and it's not super responsive," comments reflected by the others."Size is good for me," Bond says. "It's quite comfortable, but I wouldn't like to be sitting behind me."Griffin says that by comparison the Mazda3 is "more refined, quieter and smoother than the Focus"."The gearbox and motor feel better matched with no over-revving like you are flogging it." He also likes the ergonomics.Bond thinks there are "too many confusing buttons on the steering wheel" and says the car is "not as responsive as I'd like." His wife agrees and says the brakes are also "unresponsive".Kremastos says that except for the slight turbo lag, he is more than a little surprised at how nippy the car is around town, even though it has a 1.4-litre engine which is 400cc less than his Honda Goldwing motorcycle.The Cruze also attracts praise as "sprightly", although the bonnet rises and falls on acceleration and braking.It's steering also cops criticism as light and vague, while several drivers commented on the rough gear changes.Mrs Bond says the seats are quite comfortable and her husband likes the cabin."Looks can be deceiving. I'm a big fella and it was quite comfortable," he says. Griffin doesn't like the lack of a left-foot rest.The Lancer attracted neither good nor bad comments on its driving dynamics. It seems a handy utilitarian machine that delivers the goods in a no-fuss, unspectacular manner. The only criticism came from Griffin who said it got "a bit unsteady in the wet".Bond is unimpressed with the rally styling of the pedals and flappy paddle shifters on the steering wheel which he says is "a novelty I don't think I'd use".VERDICTIt's horses for courses here and we found a mix of preferences from our testers. If it's a driver's car you want, the Golf wins, but it loses points for tired design, lack of features and an austere interior.Lancer is praised as a no-nonsense car, but again feeling the signs of age in its features and interior design. The new model may be make amends.Focus draws extreme comments. It is praised for its exterior design, but criticised for its interior, while the driving dynamics fall slightly behind the Mazda and Golf.Griffin sums up the Mazda as the "best all-rounder". It performs all functions well without being a standout in any particular area.But the winner by three votes to one in our test team is the handsome Aussie-built Cruze.Mitsubishi Lancer VRX SportbackPrice: $32,490Options: pearlescent paint $450Engine: 2.4L, 4-cylinder, 125kW/226NmTransmission: CVTEconomy: 8.9L/100kmCO2: 213g/km, 6/10 greenhouse ratingSafety: 7 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 10 years/160,000km (powertrain), 5 years/100,000km (car and roadside assist)Service: 15,000km/12 mthsVW Golf Comfortline 118TSIPrice: $31,990Options: metallic paint $500Engine: 1.4L, 4-cylinder twin turbo, 118kW/240NmTransmission: 7 speed DSGEconomy: 6.2L/100kmCO2: 144g/km, 7.5/10 greenhouse ratingSafety: 7 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 3 years/unlimited km, VW Assist.Service: 15,000km/12 mthsMazda3 SP20 SkyactivPrice: $27,990Options fitted: Luxury Pack (Bi-Xenon headlamps, sliding centre armrest console, leather seat trim, premium Bose 242 watt amplifier and 10 speakers including subwoofer - $3000)Engine: 2L, 4-cylinder, 113kW/194NmTransmission: 6-speed autoEconomy: 6.1/6.2L/100kmCO2: 145g/kmSafety: 6 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 3 years/unlimited kmService: 10,000km/6 mthsFord Focus Titanium hatchPrice: $32,590Engine: 2L, 4-cylinder, 125kW/202NmTransmission: 6-speed Powershift DSG,Economy: 6.6L/100kmCO2: 154g/km, 7.5/10 greenhouse ratingSafety: 6 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 3 years/100,000kmService: 15,000km/12 mthsHolden Cruze SRi-VPrice: $29,990Options: prestige paint $500Engine: 1.4L, 4-cylinder, turbo, 103kW/200NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, Active SelectEconomy: 6.9L/100kmCO2: 164g/km, 7/10 greenhouse ratingSafety: 6 airbags, 5-star ANCAPWarranty: 3 years/100,000kmService: 15,000km/12 mths

VW Golf TSI and Mitsubishi Lancer VRX go head-to-head in this comparative review.

On a tight budget, you had four options: unsafe cars, unreliable cars, really boring cars or cars that combined all three characteristics.  In the past decade, though, it's become easier to find a tidy, safe, cheap used car, for several reasons.Firstly, used cars don't hold their value like they once did. New cars have become cheaper in real terms, and sales have boomed, so there's a lot more used cars on the market.Cars are also much safer than they used to be. Government legislation and independent crash test programmes like NCAP, (which publicises the results of its tests, much to the annoyance of the industry) have forced car makers to improve safety. A 2005 car, no matter what make it is, will be safer than a 1995 car. At the minimum, you want two front airbags and anti-lock (ABS) brakes.Unless it's French or Italian, in which case a weekly dummy spit is part of the "ownership experience," most cars from the last 10 years will be pretty reliable, as long as servicing has been done by the book.We are talking about ordinary, everyday cars here, that haven't been thrashed. If you're looking at some dude's slammed, chipped Subaru WRX and the price seems too good to be true, chances are it will self-destruct before you make it home. You pay your money and you take your chances.Immaculate, low kilometre cars owned by little old ladies do exist, and they are gold. So is a complete service record, especially if it's from the dealer who sold the car new.  Let's see if we can find a few to recommend. Bottom dollar in our search is $5000.There's not much joy at this money, but the last of the Mitsubishi Magnas, from 2004-2005, are great value and reasonably plentiful. Many will be ex-renters. That's not necessarily a bad thing, because serving will have been done to schedule. The 3.5-litre V6-four speed auto ES has four airbags and ABS.Another Mitsubishi, the Lancer, is the best small car we can find at this price. Toyota Corollas are fine too, though they're more expensive.  The Lancer's as sexy as a can of baked beans and completely bulletproof. Pay about $7000-$8000 or so for a 2005 model. Find one with optional ABS and six airbags.If you've got around $10,000 to spend, you have much more choice.  In 2004, Mazda made six airbags and ABS available across its entire range, as options or standard, so any Mazda2 or Mazda3 from 2004 on will be worth checking out. Mazda does blue chip quality, and if you find a good one, with a service book, buy it. You'll pick up a 2 for less than $10,000; a 3 will be $10,000-$12,000.If you need something bigger, this sort of money will also get you into a 2004-2005 Subaru Liberty, another top car from Japan's A league. All wheel drive, excellent handling and Subaru's class leading NCAP scores are pluses. The 2.0-litre four won't rip your arms off, but it will do the job. Wagons cost a little more.You might prefer a small SUV wagon instead, so look for a 2004-2005 Subaru Forester, or Toyota RAV4, at $12,000-$15,000.  If you need a big car for a big country, the Aussie six is hard to go past.You'll pay $10,000-$13,000 for the first of the VE Commodores from 2006. The 3.6-litre V6 sounds like 1000 leaf blowers on maximum thrust, however it's durable enough. Holden got serious about safety with VE, so you get stability control as standard.  It might take a while to find the right car, but in the end, it pays to be fussy. Second hand doesn't have to mean second best.WHERE TO BUY?DealerPros: On cars under 10 years old, most states require a warranty, typically 3 months or 5000 kilometres. You also get guaranteed title. Franchised dealers (ie those who also sell new cars) usually have the best selection of used cars; the trade-ins they don't want are unloaded to non franchised dealers or auctions.Cons: Can be more expensive than a similar car bought privately. Beware of non-franchised dealers selling flood damaged or rebirthed (ie cars written off by insurance companies but then repaired) from Queensland.PrivatePros: The best way to find a bargain.Cons: You have to do plenty of legwork, and finding the right car, in a place that's close to where you live, can be a time consuming process. There's no guarantee of title or provenance, and no comebacks if it drops its guts on the way home. Buyer beware.AuctionsPros: Ex-government or fleet cars, usually properly serviced, with low kilometres. Guaranteed title. Many dealers buy cars at auction, take them to their car yard, and jack the price up by thousands of dollars. Buy it yourself, and pocket the difference.Cons: You can't test drive the car before you bid. It's also easy for an amateur to pay too much, so go to a couple before you buy to get an idea of prices and how it all works.

A top 10 sales finisher in 2010, the three-year-old CJ series Lancer continues to it for those who want four cylinders, but must have four doors just like a "real" family car. There's a slash-backed Lancer hatch too, but the sedan's the one you tend to see on the street.This makes some kind of sense, especially if you're a Mitsu man for whom the brand's locally made V6 family car is a lamented casualty of the times. The so-called Aspire, which sits atop the naturally aspirated Lancer range (then there's the turbo charged Ralliarts, and, ultimately, the Evolution series), is a sort of downsized Verada to the lesser Lancer's mini Magna.But with its barmy boy racer bits, the VRX, which is priced fractionally beneath the Aspire, is a sort of faux Evo for half the dough and a fraction of the ability.VALUEA large helping of fruit and a smart sticker price sees the VRX right among the top echelons of its, mainly Japanese, small-to-medium sized rivals. Buyers of lesser variants are encouraged to stretch that bit further financially.For this model year, Mitsubishi says it has fitted an improved sound insulation system. There's a USB port, colour LCD display and welcome lights on all variants. Bluetooth is standard with the VR, VRX and Ralliart. i-Pod cables are offered on all variants when coupled with the option of Mitsu's rather good multi-media system.Could I make my i-pod work? No. Let's ascribe that to ineptitude.A warranty of five years/130,000km approaches the Koreans and makes you wonder why the rivals won't offer the same. A half-decade of manufacturer protection is of itself a compelling reason to purchase. The drivetrain is covered for 10 years/160,00km.Yes, you'd think about it alright.TECHNOLOGYVRX variants get the 2.4-litre atmo petrol engine, good for 125kW at 6,000rpm and 226 Nm at just over 4000 revs. Useful, but not inspiring, at least not when coupled with an automatic that takes the form of a continuously variable setup, augmented with six manual presets best accessed by paddle shifters.DESIGNAn amiable spell can be passed identifying the other makes from which the Lancer's myriad design cues were borrowed. A bit of Volvo here. A dash of Alfa Romeo there. Whatever. It sort of works. And the punters love it.Which must explain the affront that is the rear spoiler. On an Evo it might be acceptable. Less so on a Ralliart. On a front-wheel-drive trundler with sporting pretensions, never. When driving, it makes you feel like a word we can't use but which rhymes with and is nearly spelt "clock". And if it doesn't, it ought to.Against that the 10-spoke alloys, around which are wrapped grippy 18-inch rubber, look especially handsome set off against the dark metallic paint.The bogan bling thing continues within. The Lancer's cabin is pretty grim. The cod-carbon fibre accents, silver shifting paddles and leather wrapped wheel only emphasize the very ordinary black plastics. It's decidedly inferior to an equivalent Mazda3, conspicuously so to, say, the Mark VI Golf.And why, given the trouble taken to tart up the cabin, hasn't the VRX been given steering wheel reach adjustment?SAFETYNo complaints here, with Mitsu's version of electronic stability backed up actively by anti-skid brakes with brake force distribution and brake assist. Most of the Lancer's rivals can't match its seven airbags (including driver's knee), which ensures five-star ANCAP safety rating.DRIVINGOnly the helplessly naïve could imagine those tacked on go fast bits could equate to superior dynamics. Actually, the big wheels almost get in the way, ensuring an all-to frequently unsettled ride, if decent grip.It isn't quite a case of the looks writing cheques the drive can't deliver. If not so sharp as a Mazda3 the VRX is a decent enough device through sweeping bends, if not tighter corners. The stability program takes the slightest provocation to flare. At least part of its initial feeling of inadequacy is overcome once you get used to ignoring the whining CVT and plant the accelerator to overcome the lack of lowdown torque.Less easily overcome is a driving position that, for taller pilots, is fairly wretched. Hard to drive fluently when your arms are outstretched and your lower body is concertinaed.VERDICTNeeds less show and more go.  MITSUBISHI LANCER VRXPrice: $32,490Engine: 125kW/226NMTransmission: continuously variable automatic; front wheel driveThirst: 7L/100km (tested)

The Lancer has long been the small car staple of the Mitsubishi diet. It's always been well-respected in the Japanese carmakers range, one that small car buyers have felt comfortable with over many years.MODEL WATCHIn recent times small cars have taken on a new role in the local car market as buyers have sought ways of saving money. Buyers who would once never even considered buying a small car have been searching for a car that was safe, economical, and a pleasure to drive, but in a compact package.No longer were small cars thought of as cars for poverty-stricken motorists who simply couldn't afford anything better. In that environment Mitsubishi's management trumpeted its intention to deliver cars with "the best levels of occupant safety, security and comfort at the best possible price", no matter the class.The CJ Lancer was a huge step forward from the previous model, which had well and truly reached its use-by date. Fresh new looks gave it a great kick-start. It looked good from any angle with well-balanced proportions and taut lines, and importantly, it had an attractive face.Inside, there was enough room for adults to be accommodated in comfort. Even tall people had enough head and legroom to allow them to travel with comfort in supportive and comfortable seats. The interior was neat and tidy, although some might have said it was bland and boring compared to the busy interiors in some of its rivals. But it was more about old school function than playschool gimmick, and everything was where you might expect it to be and the controls were easy and logical to use.A 2.0-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine delivered 113 kW at 6000 revs and 198 Nm at 4250 revs, which gave the ES and VR Lancers good performance with plenty of zip whenever it was needed. The sporty VR-X was given extra punch courtesy of a 2.4-litre four-cylinder that produced 125 kW and 226 Nm. The transmission choices were a five-speed manual 'box or a six-speed CVT transmission as the auto option. The final drive was through the front wheels.The Continuously Variable Transmission drove without flaw, it was smooth and there was no lack of get up and go when the right pedal was sent to the floor. There was also the option of manually shifting the CVT 'box to extract more zip; that could be done by moving the shift lever across the gate and then using the six preset ratios much the same as you would with a conventional auto.There were three models in the CJ range, starting with the base ES and moving up through the VR to the VR-X hottie.IN THE SHOPOwners of the CJ Lancer are not complaining to Cars Guide about their cars, which should be reassuring for anyone looking to buy used. Cars driven by CarsGuide have all been well built and nicely finished with no faults to be found. The CJ Lancer is still relatively new to the market so early ones will have only done 30,000-40,000 km. Even so, check for a service record to rule out possible neglect.ON THE ROADTime spent at the wheel of the CJ Lancer confirms that it is a roomy and comfortable car to drive, with plenty of head, leg and elbowroom, and supportive seats. The dash, with its large expanse of plastic, while a little bland, is neat and tidy, and functional, with all controls well placed and easy to use on the run. Overall the Lancer feels a little light on the road, and the steering could have a little more feel.The suspension is supple giving a comfortable ride over all surfaces. The 2.0-litre engine has all the performance you could want in a small car, and there is plenty of get up and go when needed and it was at all times smooth.IN A CRASHThe Lancer performed well in crash testing and ANCAP awarded it five stars. It had front airbags for the driver and front passenger and a driver knee airbag, plus standard ABS antilock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and electronic stability control. The VR and VR-X models had the additional protection of side and side curtain airbags.AT THE PUMPMitsubishi claimed the Lancer would do 7.7-8.2 L/100 km and road tests suggested the claim was on the mark. A Lancer tested by Cars Guide averaged just over 8.0 L/100 km when driven in normal town traffic.LOOK FORNeat, attractive looksComfortable, roomy interiorGood fuel economySafe and soundWell-built.THE BOTTOM LINE: A safe and sound small car choice.RATING: 80/100

This week I discovered that sharp, pointy things can hurt. Some new cutlery came my way and the sharp, pointy blades carved significant damage to my dishwater-tenderised finger. Which, of course, is why man invented the dishwasher. During the high-pitched screaming and increasing pinkness of the sink water, it occurred to me how odd it was that the name for people who carried sharp, pointy objects into battle – with the intention to main, puncture and kill other people – is now applied to one of the world's safest small cars.Mitsubishi's Lancer was one of the first cars to arrive in Australia with a five-star crash rating and electronic stability control as standard. It has been subsequently followed by others and Australia is a better place for it. Call it what you will, but the Lancer isn't just a safe car - it's a damn good drive.This is the Sportback - read, hatchback - model which gives a sort of middle ground to a sedan buyer seeking a bit more flexibility and yet doesn't want to step up to an SUV, like Mitsubishi's Outlander.Engine and gearboxThe VRX gets the same 2.4-litre engine as the Aspire model, which is - obviously - bigger than the 2-litre unit in most other Lancers. This bigger engine is meatier, with more low-end power so there is less need to rev it hard. In return, the fuel economy is pretty good and the engine noise is minimal.Incidentally, it has the same power as the Commodore's base 5-litre V8 engine (but a lot less torque) and the same 0-100km/h acceleration time of 9.8 seconds. The engine is attached to either a five-speed manual or continuously-variable transmission (automatic).Drivers with some warm blood in their veins can avail themselves of the paddle shifters on the steering wheel that turns the CVT's inherent rubber-band drone into six clear-cut gears to play with.  The CVT, you see, is basically a steel band or pulley that spins between two moving cones. It takes the power from the engine and maximises its delivery to the wheels.But the elastic action of the band makes the engine sound like its spinning too fast in relation to forward motion. Technically, the six preset ‘gears’ are actually six positions on the cones. In practice, forget the technical stuff and turn up the audio.Pricing and fit-outThere's also the same variant line-up, with the tester being a top-line VRX auto costing $32,490 plus all the on-road fees. That's a reasonable price for the money. Though considered a small car, it's actually quite big. At 4.58m long, it's a cigarette pack short of a 1986 Holden Commodore - which is bound to pop up as a quiz question when you least expect it.The intervening 24 years have produced a car that is called small - but clearly isn't - and yet features a bigger and vastly more flexible cabin layout, maximum family safety and commendable fuel efficiency. The key to the Sportback's useable features starts and ends with the rear hatch. The door opens wide and high and its yawn has been enhanced by moving everything out if the way to maximise loading space.For example, the suspension units are low and pushed out, so virtually the full width of the door extends into the cargo space. The rear seats split and fold flat-ish and the floor can even be sunk an extra few centimetres. This latter feature, by the way, is courtesy of the Lancer's space-saver spare wheel. Theoretically, for those of you who get out of the city occasionally, a full-size spare can be optioned that will fit beneath the boot floor.The VRX gets leather and heaps of gear, including cruise control, trip computer and a Rockford Fosgate audio system with 710-Watts pumping through nine speakers. People alongside me on the freeway we really impressed. Not!These addition features are responsible for lifting the VRX above its oft-shunned category of a family runabout. The VRX is almost luxurious, helped by the spaciousness of the cabin and the good use of dash design and switchgear placement. However, the hard plastic is a let down and things like a satellite navigation system (optional) that is not happy with simple commands and has an ordinary screen, dumb the car down a fraction.OverallThis is a very hard car to dislike. It's not a particularly fast car though is certainly smooth, and the 2.4 engine is quieter and more civilised than the 2-litre version, and this has a lot to do with moving the VRX up the ladder of cars I like. The price isn't especially cheap but I rate it as good value.Speaking of cheap, be very careful about colour choice with this car. It prefers bold or dark colours, and the paler shades - silver and white particularly - just don't maximise the Sportback's classy shape or set off the big 18-inch alloys.Rating: 86/100Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback VRXPrice: $32,490Engine: 2.4-litre, 4-cylinderPower: 125kW @ 6000rpmTorque: 226Nm @ 4100rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h: 9.8 secondsFuel: Standard unleadedFuel tank: 59 litresEconomy (official): 8.9 litres/100kmEconomy (tested): 9.1 litres/100kmEmissions: 213g/km (Corolla: 175g/km)Transmission: CVT automatic; front-driveBrakes: 4-wheel discs, ESC, ABS, EBD, brake assistTurning circle: 10mSuspension: Front _ MacPherson struts; Rear _ multi-link, coilsWheels: 18-inch alloy, 215/45R18 tyres; space-saver spareLength: 4585mmWidth: 1760mmHeight: 1515mmWheelbase: 2635mmWeight: 1435kgTow (max): 1000kgWarranty: 5yr/130,000km, roadside assist (10yr/160,000km drivetrain)Service: 15,000kmRivalsMazda3 SP25: ($31,920) - 87/100Volkswagen Golf 118TSI: ($31,990) - 86/100Subaru Impreza RS ($30,990)

One of the biggest mistakes a car company can make is to hand its rivals a free hit by vacating the market. In this business where brand loyalty is supreme it can take a long time to play catch up - unless of course you have some serious ammunition to fire back at the opposition.Mitsubishi only has two serious full-on performance cars, the awesome Lancer Evolution MR SST ($72,190) and the slightly less potent but still full-on Evolution ($59,990).But missing in action has been a more affordable road warrior in the sub $50,000 bracket to slot in under the Evo twins — a model which could go head to head with Subaru's WRX or Ford's Focus XR5.Enter the Lancer Ralliart and Mitsubishi is back in the game with plenty of bang for the buck. It's essentially a detuned Evo and priced at $42,990 for both sedan and sportsback.Mitsubishi has been quite clever here, borrowing many of the Evo's go-faster bits but giving the Ralliart a more comfortable ride to broaden its appeal.Power comes from a detuned 2-litre four cylinder with single scroll turbo as against the Evo's twin-scroll. It also shares in part the active differential all-wheel drive system which is switchable to suit road, gravel or snow conditions, a twin-clutch transmission and alloy bonnet to reduce weight.There's 177Kw on tap at 6000 revs (down by 50kW on the Evo) and a fist full of 343Nm torque (down 23Nm) with little in the way of turbo lag. While not as potent at the Evo, the Ralliart's performance nevertheless is surprisingly surefooted and quick on and off road.But you need to get the Ralliart above 2000 revs before that power comes into play. Peak torque is on tap from 2500 to 4750rpm, just where you need it for swift overtaking or tackling twisty mountain roads.The downside: power comes at a price in the form of thirsty fuel consumption.Given a choice, in my book the sportback looks better than the more practical sedan but the hatch's rear visibility is limited by the heavy C-pillar. The cabin will fit four adults in comfort, even the back seat; the front buckets offering excellent support.The dressed in black cabin styling also gets a tick of approval, especially the instruments, although I am still coming to grips with the exterior lines, particularly the elongated nose with what Mitsubishi describes as a jet fighter grilleThe suspension set up is softer than the Evo so there's a bit more body roll and pitching in the twisty stuff. But the car is far more liveable and quieter on a day to day basis, unless you like, of course, the Evo's annoying bone jarring ride.The six-speed twin clutch manual-auto gearbox is also borrowed from the Evo with slightly modified top end ratios to provide better fuel consumption. It's better than the VW DSG setup but isn't as slick as the PDK system from Porsche although it still offers seamless gear changes. It has two modes — sport and normal — but not the track-ready Super Sport mode featured in the Evo.The shift paddles on the steering wheel are cumbersome to operate and I dislike the invasive nature of the transmission in auto mode by holding the car in too lower gear descending hills. Flicking the paddle shift takes it back to manual mode solves the problem.So, is it as good as an Evo? No, but it comes so close. You can have just as much fun and the Ralliart version for $16,000 less and it's easier to drive.SnapshotPrice: $43,890, sedan or sportbackEngine: 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinderPower: 2-litre in-line 4, 177kW @6000rpm, 343Nm @2500-4750rpmTransmission: Twin-clutch, six-speed manual/auto.Rivals: Golf Gti, Ford Focus XR5, Subaru WRX

The current focus on petrol prices is apparently causing a fundamental shift in buying habits. If the latest new car sales figures are to be believed there is a significant trend towards smaller more fuel-efficient cars.That being the case there is no reason to believe there won’t be a similar shift in the buying pattern of used car buyers and cars like Mitsubishi’s proven Lancer could well be one of those used cars buyers turn to.The Lancer has been a popular small car for many years. The Lancer badge dates back to the 1970s when it was part of the then Chrysler family, but in the years that have followed it has become a well respected Mitsubishi name representing quality, reliability, affordability and style.Added to that a long history of success in rallying would have helped build its reputation considerably as well.Mitsubishi has maintained a steady as she goes policy with the Lancer, and why not when they’ve got a winner in their showrooms.The current car can be traced back to the late 1980s, although that shouldn’t suggest that it is mired in the past. The Lancer is a great little car that holds its own in the toughly contested small car sales race.Compared to other current small cars the Lancer isn’t the most stylish. In an era in which stylists are going for the carved from stone look with crisp edges and sharply defined shapes the soft and cuddly Lancer looks a little like it’s been styled for an older more conservative buyer.The problem with styling though is that it comes into fashion fast and can drop out of fashion just as quickly, and the jury is out on the current trend. The Lancer on the other hand, while making you feel like throwing on a cardigan, has stood the test of time quite well and still looks appealing even if it feels a bit like an old sock now.There were three body styles on offer in the Lancer catalogue, the four-door sedan, wagon and two-door coupe. If the sedan and wagon finds favour with young families, older couples, or those wanting a second car, the coupe is the one that younger buyers prefer.The GLi opened the range in sedan and coupe form, and came standard with power steering, cloth trim, full wheel trims, and a fairly basic two-speaker sound system.For more there was the GLXi sedan and wagon that came with central locking, power mirrors and four-speaker sound.If you wanted more in a coupe there was the sporty MR, which was standard with alloy wheels, side body skirts, fog lamps, power windows and a rear spoiler.In the GLi the power initially came from a 1.5-litre single overhead camshaft fuel-injected four-cylinder engine that pumped out 69 kW at 550 revs and 126 Nm of torque, but buyers of the GLXi and MR had the extra punch of a 1.8-litre SOHC engine that boasted 86 kW at 5500 revs and peak torque of 161 Nm.An update in 1999 saw the 1.8-litre engine replace the 1.5-litre unit in the GLi sedan and coupe.Both had the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed auto and drove through the front wheels.The Lancer has an enviable reputation for reliability. Mechanics who regularly work on them say they give little trouble, although they stress that it’s important to change the cam timing belt as per Mitsubishi’s recommendation of 90,000 km.Generally the Lancer is a strong little car that stands up well in crash testing, making it a safe choice for young drivers.If there’s a down side it is that they’re noisy. Expect a lot of road and engine noise, which can trick you into thinking something is wrong. Again experienced mechanics say it’s not unusual for owners to think they’ve done a wheel bearing when it’s only road noise they’re hearing.It’s simply that car companies tend not to spend much money on sound proofing of small cars and in most that means there’s a lot of road noise.The Lancer was rated about average in the latest annual survey of real life crashes. Crash protection improved with the addition of a driver’s airbag in the GLi and GLXi in 2001, the MR coupe got dual airbags at the same time.Louise Ryan bought her Lancer GLi coupe in 2004. She liked its looks, thought its performance was good, and preferred the idea of buying a new car rather than the risk of purchasing a used car. In the 11,000 km she has now done in it there have no problems and she’s happy enough with it to consider buying another one. Her only complaint is that there is little room in the rear when she needs to carry passengers.• four-cylinder fuel economy• middle of the road styling that will last• sporty coupe favourite of young buyers• zippy performance• reliable engines and gearboxes• high level of road noiseA good reliable small car that will give good service with a good turn of speed with miserly fuel consumption.

The quickest way around a race track is simply mathematics.Going faster and beating all your mates is directly proportional to a diminishing fear factor and a rising-rate expense program divided by the money in your bank account.To go faster, a rough rule is $10,000 a second per lap. That is, spend an extra $10,000 on your race car and you will be one-second quicker per lap faster.Theoretically, you'd spend $30,000 for a three-second rocket around the circuit but sadly, the formula is disproportionate. You may only gain 1.25-seconds, for example.So the question is: Do you pay an extra $29,200 over the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart SST for the Evolution X MR and gain a one-second 0-100km/h sprint time?Or do you enjoy the Ralliart and use the "spare" money to buy (a) BHP Billiton shares, (b) a whopping plasma screen and surround sound system, or (c) the Kawasaki Ultra 250X jet ski.Money may not be the only reason to consider forgoing the one-second advantage.The Ralliart comes with practically all the looks of the Evo X and even has similar mechanicals. Even the aluminium bonnet is identical.It has the same basic engine though is dumbed down to 177kW from the Evo's 217kW. It has 343Nm of torque — compared with the Evo's 366Nm — and is delivered at lower revs.The gearbox — Mitsubishi's new and quite delightful dual-clutch six-speeder — is also shared though the Evo allows three driving modes to sharpen the ride.Ride comfort is better in the Ralliart — though the MR isn't bad and certainly up on its predecessor — which extends its audience to include children and the wife.Combined with all-wheel drive, it makes a sedan that can live comfortably in the city and country with a dynamic performance and safety personality when required.Drive it as an automatic and the 2-litre engine shows some weakness at low revs.This lag is more pronounced than the Evo — though even this car has some hesitation — mainly because of it misses out on the Evo's twin-scroll turbocharger that works better across the rev range.The Ralliart's engine will, however, quickly smarten up by 2500rpm and be on song at 4000rpm right up to near 7000rpm.At which point your smile will only be eroded by realisation that the car is consuming premium unleaded petrol at a rate that would shame beer-drinking end-of-semester uni students.Treat the Ralliart nicely, though, and 11.4 litres/100km is entirely acceptable in city and suburbs, plus a short time in the country.The gearbox is pin sharp on changes and will step up with higher revs before it upchanges when in Sport mode. The paddle shifters, by the way, are perfectly placed and have a default to full-auto when held.Handling is first rate. As mentioned, it's not Evo X class but it's also not far short of the mark. The bottom line is you won't have a chance to test this car to its fullest on public roads anyway.Mitsubishi aims this car at the driver who enjoys a fang and likes a car that shouts "performance".The practicalities are shared with the base Lancer. That's a great start because the Lancer is a delightful small car with a great shape, very good cabin and boot space, and a pretty interior.More goodies, such as the six-disc CD player, are added to the feature list but the healthy basics of most Lancers — a five-star crash rating, electronic stability control and seven airbags — remain.Options include the Rockford Fosgate sound system ($750), that audio with sunroof ($2350) and those two with a multi-communication pack with sat-nav for $4750.Comfort rates highly for those in the sports-tailored front seats, less so for the rear where firm foam and short thigh length makes adults wish for shorter journeys.No complaints, however, about leg and headroom though I'll put my two-cents worth in about that space-saver spare.But this is a very appealing package. It serves to uphold the Evo image while saving its buyers near-on $30,000. The only cost is one second.