2013 Mitsubishi Lancer

VOICE-ACTIVATED HDD NAVIGATION
The Lancer's hard-drive-based navigation system responds more quickly than traditional DVD-based units. It also features Mitsubishi's new FUSE voice-recognition software for simple multimedia commands.

6-SPEED AUTO-SHIFTING TRANSMISSION
In Mitsubishi's parlance, it's a TC-SST, that alphabet soup standing for Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission. To us it's just an excellent automatic (with manual-shift mode) that rifles through gears faster than we ever could.

The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer's aggressive and modern exterior styling, sadly, does not extend into the cabin. The interior design looks a little stale and there's too much hard, cheap plastic. The steering wheel does not telescope and most of the seats have no height adjustability, so many drivers will have to adjust to the Lancer driving position rather than vice versa. The GT and Ralliart trims feature the most appealing interior, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and deeply bolstered front seats. The Sportback's flexible configuration delivers an impressive 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer separates itself from the mundane designs of traditional compact cars with its bold stance, aggressive snout and general attitude inspired by rally cars. Mitsubishi says the massive front grille suggests the air intakes found on high-tech fighter jets. The base DE model rolls on 16-inch steel wheels while the rest get alloys, 16-inch on ES and SE, 18-inch on GT, Ralliart and Evo. The Evo models have a gaping, black-mesh front grille, heat-extractor vents on the side, twin tailpipes in back and either a subtle rear spoiler (MR) or outrageous wing (GSR).

Much variety here: The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer sedan in base DE trim gets a 148-horsepower 2.0 and 5-speed manual gearbox. At the ES level the same engine is paired with either the manual or an automatic CVT (continuously variable transmission). Move up to GT and it's a 168-horsepower 2.4, with manual or CVT. The SE trim uses the 2.4 and offers only the CVT, but with AWD. The Ralliart gets a 237-horsepower 2.0 turbo-4 with a 6-speed twin-clutch Sportronic automated manual transmission and AWD. The racy Evo models have 291 turbocharged horses and either the 5-speed manual (GSR) or 6-speed Sportronic Shift (MR), both with AWD. The Sportback comes in ES trim (with the 2.0) or GT (2.4), with the CVT and front-drive only.

2.0-liter inline-4
148 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
145 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/34 mpg (manual), 26/34 mpg (automatic), 24/32 mpg (Sportback)

2.4-liter inline-4
168 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
167 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/31 mpg (manual), 23/30 mpg (automatic), 22/29 mpg (Sportback)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
237 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
253 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-4,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg (automatic)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
291 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
300 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 mpg (manual), 17/22 mpg (automatic)

The base 2013 Lancer DE carries a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $16,790, while the ES starts at $17,890. The CVT automatic adds about $900. SE and GT models start around $21,000 and can top $29,000 fully loaded. The Ralliart trim starts just under $29,000 with the Evolution coming in around $36,000 (GSR) or $39,000 (MR). The Lancer Sportback hatch adds a $500 premium over the ES or GT sedan. To see what people are paying for Lancers, check out our Fair Purchase Price. It's worth noting that the well-appointed Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte also start around $16,000 while the Honda Civic and Mazda Mazda3 start closer to $17,000. On the resale side, we do not expect the Lancer to retain its value as well as the exceptionally resilient Civic or the Mazda3.

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