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: A rearview camera is now standard on all trim levels of the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer. A new Sun and Sound Package includes a power sunroof and a Rockford Fosgate sound system. The GT model has been dropped. Lancer is a compact sedan that is offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The base front-wheel drive ES is powered by a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a choice of 5-speed manual transmission or continuously variable transmission (CVT). All-wheel-drive models have a 168-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). Keyless access and starting, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and navigation are available. 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 four mainstream compact cars to offer all-wheel drive (the others are Subaru Impreza, Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, and VW Golf Alltrack). 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: $17,795 ES AWD: $20,295 Limited Edition: $19,795 SE AWD: $21,095 SEL AWD: $22,095 |
| 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) 33-34 |
| Optional Engine 2.4-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower 168 |
| Std. Transmission CVT |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 23 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 30 |
