Pros: Availability of all-wheel drive; acceleration (2.4-liter); fuel economy
Cons: Aged design; overall refinement doesn’t match most class competitors; high noise levels; not all drivers can find a comfortable seating position
CG Says: Mitsubishi’s compact car gets a mild refresh for 2016 that includes an exterior facelift, a revised interior, new standard features, and an updated continuously variable transmission (CVT). The model lineup has also been revamped; a new SEL trim level joins the roster, while the sporty Ralliart model and its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine are discontinued. The Lancer’s updates for 2016 are welcome improvements, but they’re mostly cosmetic. Lancer’s last complete redesign was back in model-year 2008, and today it’s simply too old to battle effectively in this fiercely competitive class. Almost all its rivals offer newer, more up-to-date designs with superior all-around refinement, performance, and fuel economy. Still, Lancer is one of only two mainstream compact cars to offer all-wheel drive (the other is the Subaru Impreza). We applaud the Lancer ES and SE models for offering AWD and other standard cold-weather niceties at prices that don’t break the bank.
Class | Compact Car |
Body Style(s) | 4-door sedan |
Passenger Count | 5 |
Drive Wheels | front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive |
Manufacturer | Mitsubishi |
Nation of Manufacture | Japan |
Base Prices | ES: $17,595 ES AWD: $19,995 GT: $22,495 SE AWD: $20,995 SEL AWD: $21,995 |
Base Engine 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
Horsepower 148 |
Std. Transmission 5-speed manual |
Avail. Transmission CVT |
EPA City Range (mpg) 24-27 |
EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 34-35 |
Optional Engine 2.4-liter 4-cylinder |
Horsepower 168 |
Std. Transmission 5-speed manual |
Avail. Transmission CVT |
EPA City Range (mpg) 22-24 |
EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 30-31 |