Car review: Mitsubishi Lancer

View our Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X car review

Mitsubishi says this is the car to take the standard Lancer out of the shadow of the wild Evolution performance models, and be a genuine competitor to the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.

The Mitsubishi Lancer has always been a worthy, if uninspiring car and good value for money. But the new car, the Japanese giant says, will be a revolution.

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The Mitsubishi Lancer is based on an all-new platform, which it shares with the excellent Mitsubishi Outlander SUV and is priced very competitively. Mitsubishi also says it’s a better space package, has stronger used values and more technology than most of its rivals.

And in a market crammed with unadventurous styling, the Mitsubishi Lancer is a breath of fresh air. It has a sharp and aggressive look from all angles, particularly the front, where a jet fighter-inspired grille dominates, flanked by a pair of angular headlights.

Improved interior

The interior has been vastly improved too. There's still too much featureless plastic on the dash for some tastes, but it's well screwed together and seems to be hardwearing.

And on our short test route, the seats seemed to be supportive and a good driving position was quickly found.

Mitsubishi is currently offering the Lancer in this, the four-door saloon guise, but a more conventional five-door hatch will be available for the first time in September.

Previous generations of the Mitsubishi Lancer have been capable, but slightly uninspiring saloons; not so with the 2008 model, say Mitsubishi.

It inherits more of the hot Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X model's DNA, with increased body stiffness, which makes it a competent steer on the road. It's not quite up there with the best in class, such as the Ford Focus, but it's reasonably deft of foot.

There's a little too much wind and road noise for our liking, but there's plenty of space front and rear, and a big boot which will make the four-door easy to live with.

Gutsy performers

The 1.8-litre petrol and 2-litre diesel models we tested offer decent performance, with the 1.8 developing 141bhp – good enough for a 9.8 second 0-62mph sprint and a 127mph top speed. The automatic is slightly slower, and its CVT gearbox feels dated compared with the rest of the modern car.

Drivers looking for frugal thrills might want to choose the 137bhp VW-sourced diesel. It’s less refined than other, more recent diesels, but it pulls very well and is slightly faster than the manual 1.8 we tested. Mitsubishi says it'll return an average of 44.8mpg too.

Other engines will include an entry-level 1.5-litre petrol in the basic GS1 trim and a hot mini-Evo in the Lancer Ralliart Sportback. That model will produce 235bhp and compete directly with the Ford Focus ST, Vauxhall Astra VXR, Seat Leon Cupra and Mazda 3 MPS.

All models in the Mitsubishi Lancer range are well equipped, barring the entry-level GS1, which just covers the basics – although at £12,499, it is a very cheap car.

View our Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X car review

That models counts electric windows all round, air-con and driver, passenger and knee airbags as highlights.

Step up to the GS2, and you'll find 16-inch alloys, cruise control, curtain airbags and six speakers; while the GS3 adds 18-inch alloys, stability and traction control, a sports bodykit, climate control and sports suspension.

The range-topping GS4 is well appointed with a touch screen sat-nav system and 30GB music server, heated leather seats and an advanced trip computer.

There's plenty to recommend the new Mitsubishi Lancer; it's spacious and priced competitively to give the established opposition something to worry about.

View more pictures of the Mitsubishi Lancer