Smaller-sized compacts continue posting big sales numbers and competition has never been this intense. Relatively new or re-designed arrivals from the Big Three domestic automakers General Motors (Chevy Cruze) Ford (Focus) and Chrysler (Dodge Dart) have successfully made headway into a category long dominated by Japan's Big Three (Toyota, Honda and Nissan).
A handful of other automakers also call Japan home, but the number of them offering vehicles here in the United States has recently dwindled by one. With Suzuki exiting the U.S. car market after the 2012 model year, Mitsubishi finds itself a diminutive fish in a big pond: the smallest-volume marketer of the Asian automakers in the U.S. However, compact stature has many advantages including greater agility with fewer bureaucratic hoops to jump through. Another plus? Mitsubishi offers one of the industry's longest powertrain warranties at 10-years or 100,000 miles. Compact stature also describes the automaker's entry-level offering, the multi-faceted Lancer.
Take your pick. Mitsubishi's Lancer sedan could be classified as a 'larger-sized' compact or 'diminutive-sized' mid-ranger. Either way, front headroom is aptly generous and three adult riders could exist together while situated together in row two for extended jaunts.
Lancer offers a potpourri of trim levels, engines, transmissions and an alternative-body styles, so intense preparation is recommended before engaging the buying process. Three four-cylinder engines are available including a 2.0-liter generating 152 horses and our tester, a 2.4-liter with increased horsepower reaching 168. A 2.0-liter turbo-charged four cylinder delivers 237 horses in the top Ralliart trim. Front-wheel drive comes standard with Mid-west friendly all-wheel drive available in two of the five trims. Little changes overall from the 2012 model year.
In addition to the four-door sedan, Lancer is also available in a four-door 'Sportback' hatchback version. Lancer also has a high-performance variant popular with the under 40, racing-minded 'Tuner' crowd; the Evolution or "Evo." While not for every taste, Evo fills a niche with enhanced braking and aforementioned turbo four cylinder; all with a starting price substantially higher than most folks associate with entry-type transportation.
Lancer's $15,999 starting price for a base DS trim (with five-speed manual as the sole transmission) is attractive, but represents a model sans air conditioning and fold down rear seat backs.
Manual transmission comes standard in the three front-wheel-drive models: DS, ES and GT trims. The two electronically-controlled all-wheel drive trims (SE and Ralliart) include their own dedicated transmissions. The SE includes continuously variable transmission (CVT) standard, technology which automatically cycles through an infinite range of forward gear ratios rather than just five or six planetary forward gears. As with a traditional automatic, no foot clutch needs engagement. This technology also improves fuel economy, almost equaling the efficiency of a manual. The CVT is optional in ES and GT trims. Ralliart includes an advanced six-speed dual clutch also behaving like a traditional automatic. The 2.0-four cylinder engine comes standard in DS and ES models while the larger 2.4-liter variant calls the all-wheel-drive SE and GT home.
Our GT tester with CVT included a starting price of $20,995. Two option packages included an in-dash navigation system with rear camera monitor ($2,000) and Touring Package ($3,550) for a bottom line of $27,340 after factoring in a $795 destination charge. The Touring Package includes leather seating with white stitching, Sirius-XM satellite radio, rain sensing wipers, sunroof and auto dimming rear-view mirror. The GT adds as standard equipment a leather wrapped steering wheel, sports tuned suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels.
While Lancer continues its assembly in Japan, many Mitsubishi models have established a manufacturing home here in the Prairie State. With its sprawling facility in Central Illinois, Mitsubishi is one of three Illinois automotive assembly plants joining Chrysler's Belvidere plant near Rockford and Ford's Torrance Avenue assembly plant on Chicago's South Side. Mitsubishi Motors of North America began production at the Normal Illinois plant in 1988 (at the time a joint venture with Chrysler Corp.) and remains the company's sole manufacturing plant in North America. Vehicles currently assembled there include the Eclipse coupe and convertible, mid-size Galant sedan, Endeavor sport utility and as of July 2012, the Outlander five-door crossover (based on the Lancer platform). The plant exports vehicles to more than 30 countries worldwide.
Nothing out-of-the-ordinary concerning Lancer's dashboard's design. It's a traditional, intuitive layout, although most surface areas utilize harder-to-the-touch materials. Upper door panels have softer touches. Kudos to Lancer for continuing with a ventilation system with three, large easy-to-grab dials to easily monitor single-zone temperatures. At night, attractive red backlighting immerses the dashboard. Optional front bucket heaters get started via toggle switches between dual inline beverage holders and the storage-bin arm rest. Inside the bin is a 12-volt plug and relatively deep storage area. A second outlet is more accessible under the ventilation dials, along with dual RCA-type auxiliary audio connections (rather than a single headphone-style jack). The USB port (optional in ES and SE) gets tucked away in the glove box's upper region. Sirius Satellite radio comes as a pre-programed option in ES, DS and GT trims while standard in Ralliart.
The instrument panel includes two deep-set circular analog gauges with a digital message window in between. This center is home to a colorful, vertical bar-type fuel gauge and vertical temperature gauge. Both trunk and fuel door release levers are floor bound left of the driver's bucket. Fabric seating materials come standard in all trims while leather seating surfaces with headed front seats come optional in GT and Ralliart. The optional touch-sensitive in-dash navigation was colorful, clear and intuitive. The stereo system's radio pre-sets also run through the touch screen with toggle-like buttons on the side monitoring volume. Secondary audio and cruise control functions are found on the three-spoke steering wheel in all trims sans DS.
The fuel tank holds 14.5 gallons of regular, 87-octane fuel (with the exception of Ralliart's turbo requiring higher-priced premium-grade). Fuel economy for all three engines rates average at best, especially in a segment where miles per gallon plays an enhanced role. Our 2.4-liter four-cylinder mated to CVT checked in at 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The fuel leader is the 2.0-liter connected with CVT cranking out 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
With its high deck lid, Lancer's trunk region maximizes usage of the 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, especially with strut-like hinges situated outside the cargo region. A temporary spare is found under the flat floor. The GT's front end design certainly ranks as one of the boldest with an almost truck-like large trapezoidal shape with bottom air dam and Mitsubishi's three-diamond logo towards the center top. Narrow, small band-like headlight housing flanks both sides. Rear tail lights share the same narrow traits. Our GT trim (and Ralliart models) include fog lamps and rear deck-lid spoiler standard. Six exterior colors are available.
During spirited turns, expect some body lean. Compared to other, recently re-designed compacts in this class, a fair amount of tire hum and other outside noises find their way into the cabin. Sound insulation could be improved. Those opting for a sportier experience should opt for the six-speed manual transmission as Mitsubishi's smooth-gliding CVT transmission prioritizes fuel economy over performance.
At A Glance
2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Engine: 2.4-liter four cylinder
Fuel economy: 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway
Horsepower: 148
Overall length: 180 inches
Overall height: 58.7 inches
Overall width: 69.4 inches
Wheelbase: 103.7 inches
Price as tested: $27,340
Powertrain warranty: 10-year 100,000-mile
Final assembly: Mizushima, Japan