[Updated] Goodbye Mitsubishi Lancer

2017 is the last year you can buy a new Mitsubishi Lancer. Should you still consider one is the real question here.

Performance: There are five trim levels and two engines to choose from. Standard ES comes with a 2-liter four-cylinder producing 148hp. The ES, SE and SEL trims come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder pumping out 168hp and only all-wheel-drive can be had with it that engine. We’d say it’s best to avoid the 2-liter engine and go right for the 2.4 which seems to be the better value of the Lancer range.

On the road: The Lancer is very entertaining to drive as long as you stick with the SE or SEL trims. Both make the Lancer feel as engaging to drive as it's keen rivals the Ford Focus and Mazda3. However it isn't as sharp or posh as both; steering feel is decent and overall response of the 2.4 makes it well worth spending the extra cash for. The CVT transmission feels like it saps the engine power leaving you cold when you need it most and overpowering when you don't need it. Disappointingly the 2.4 does not offer a manual transmission. Wind and road noise are at acceptable levels.

Behind the wheel: There's plenty of adjustments for the driver's seat but sadly the steering wheel doesn't adjust for reach. Interior quality doesn't feel up to par with it's competition. The touch screen display feels dated and not as refined as we would like. Passenger space all round is decent and the boot offers enough space to satisfy most buyers needs.

Equipment: Standard ES trim offers keyless entry with anti-theft security system, cd-player power windows and an AUX input for your MP3 player. ES AWC offers heated front seats, digital HD radio and electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. SE trim adds 18 inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler and Bluetooth connectivity for your mobile phone. Range topping SEL adds rain sensing windshield wipers, leather seating surfaces and auto headlights.

Buying & Owning: The standard Lancer seems like a good deal but we highly suggest going for the GT with the sporty looks and added features such as touch screen display and 18 inch alloy wheels. The premium isn't too much and overall impressions of it are good. Running costs should be about average among its competition but resale value is something to consider.

Quality: Mitsubishi has good quality cars. Reliability isn't going to be much of an issue. Only real issue here is locating a Mitsubishi dealership for repairs if you do come across such a problem. Interior quality isn't great although it does feel sturdy and long lasting. There are rivals that offer the best of both worlds and you really don't have to pick between the two.

Safety: Front and side curtain airbags come standard. As well as a traction control, anti-lock brakes with brake force distribution to help reduce braking distance in the case of an emergancy braking situation. Also a host of anti-theft aids come standard to keep theft away.

The Lancer is an attractive sedan that is often over looked by competition. It does offer an compelling package and is priced right with the heavy hitters such as the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. However the styling inside out is dated and there's quite a few short comings with the Lancer that others seem to have mastered. If you want the Lancer for it's generous kit and reasonable price then this is the car for you. However keen rivals have all passed it by and it seems that the only logical reason to buy one is for the discounts.

Likes: Stylish exterior looks. Standard kit is generous with all-wheel-drive offered at a competitive price.

Dislikes: Lancer is getting discontinued this year. We thought it was going to go out with a bigger bang.

Devon's pick: The SEL won’t be as expensive as the price suggests given that the Lancer is being phased out. You should get one with a nice discount. Plus all-wheel-drive makes it even more enticing option.

Devon test drives an all-electric Mitsubishi (Used)

Electric cars are the future of green car technology. The whole concept of electric cars may not be new, but they are certainly packing new ways to extend range and make them more practical for everyday driving. With the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Mitsuhishi is trying to reach out to the buyers who are more budget minded. With the low starting price of the i-MiEV can Mitsubishi justify a reason to buy electric?

Performance: The i-MiEV's electric motor produces 66hp with 145lb-ft of pull, which means its really smooth around town. If you find yourself in stop and go traffic, or feel that you want to boost your range. There's an eco-button which reduces the power of the electric motor and helps extend the range of the battery. The i-MiEV has a top speed of 81mph, so highway driving isn't a 'no-go' for this car.

Ride & Handling: The i-MiEV is best left for urban use, where you can benefit from its tiny dimensions and tight turning circle. However, the steering can be quite heavy at parking speeds and the ride is never settled. Leave the city streets and the car is easily upset by crosswinds. The narrow front tires provide very limited grip and makes highway driving a pain.

Refinement: i-MiEV has a boat load of wind and road noise which makes you wonder if electric cars are as quiet as they say they are. You can hear small amounts of whirr from the electric motor at town speeds, on the highway the whirr turns into an irritating whine.

Behind the wheel: Getting comfortable behind the driver's seat is a rather mixed note. The driver's seat adjusts for height, but the steering wheel is fixed which means it will be difficult for some to get comfortable. The instrumental panel controls are rather fiddly and you'll have to stretch to reach them.

Space & Practicality: The i-MiEV is a strict four-seat vehicle, but it depends on who the four are. Headroom isn't a problem, legroom is the bigger problem if you want to squeeze two adults in the rear seat. Their knees will be in the backs of the front passengers due to the thinly padded seats. With four passengers aboard, the boot is very small.

Equipment: The base trim adds 120V portable charging cable, CD-playe with MP3 compatibility, air-con and regenerative braking system. Top of the range adds alloy-wheels, leather wrapped steering wheel, power windows and an upgraded sound system.

Buying & Owning: The benefits of having an electric car is not having to pay for fuel. Instead you'll be paying very little on your electric bill. The only trade-off is that your range is very limited and the actual use of the i-MiEV is limited unlike the Nissan Leaf.
Buying a i-MiEV isn't a cheap proposition either. A $7,500 tax credit does help take the sting out of the purchase price.

Quality & Reliability: The build quality seems solid enough, some of the materials in the interior feel rather cheap but have a sturdy feel. Mitsubishi has enjoyed average reliability, with the i-MiEV however it is still unknown.

Safety & Security: The i-MiEV comes with front and side airbags with a roof mounted airbag to protect drivers in the event of a rollover. Stability control and traction control are standared to help aid traction due to the narrow front tires. There is a vehicle security system and immobilizer system to help keep theft at bay.

The i-MiEV is fun to drive around town. There's enough space for four passengers and running costs are very low. However, the downsides outweigh the positives. The ride comfort and handling outside of city limits is poor. The front tires are narrow and the range of the battery limits the practicality of the vehicle. Even with the tax credit, the i-MiEV is expensive and way too impractical for what it is. A more conventional hybrid offers better range while a smiliar sized gasoline counterpart offers a lower purchasing price. If a electric car is what you want and you won't have any need to venture outside of the city or drive further than the battery range. The i-MiEV is worth a look.

Devon's Pick: The ES makes the most sense because it's the cheapest. We'd wait for the technology to get cheaper or more sophisticated. 

Likes: Most affordable electric car compared to others. Compact size and abundance of torque means its a breeze to drive around town. There's enough room for four and running costs of course are low.

Dislikes: Expensive to buy. Some of the cabin materials feel cheap. Steering wheel offers no adjustments, ride and handling is awful. The 'can't-go' far battery range limits practicality.

Devon M

We respond to articles on the internet

In its most general sense, a fair use is any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

I decided to respond to an article I found on the internet that list reasons why he won’t buy a luxury car. I understand that some people just don’t want to have a flashy car, but these few people don’t understand that regardless of what car you own, people will have some type of pre-judgement about you regardless, and with that being said let’s jump right in. Six reasons why I don’t want to own a luxury car. 

People will assume things about me that I don’t want them to assume.

[It won’t matter what car you own, people will have some form of assumption about you. Whether you buy a $90k BMW or a $20k Kia, people will assume things about you that aren’t even true. You bought a new car you must have money, etc. If you want that BMW buy it, or if you want that really nice Volkswagen buy it. We only live once and to allow assumptions of other people to dictate what car you drive is pretty stupid. People will assume things about you whether you drive new or not. It’s up to you if you choose to listen to those people or not.]

I become a more obvious target for theft.
[The most stolen new car is a Nissan Altima and the most stolen used car is a 1996 Honda Accord. Both of these vehicles are far from being luxurious. I also looked up the most stolen luxury car and that’s a Mercedes S-class, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way. Older cars tend to be a higher target for theft because they are easier to steal due to lack of theft protection. Also, there are some older vehicles with parts that are much easier to sell and make a profit off of, as with most luxury cars the parts are marked which makes them harder to sell because some parts can’t be reused on any other car once removed. I don’t understand your ‘target’ reason for not wanting a luxury car. You can have a Honda and be a target; you could have a Kia and be a target. Thieves go after the easiest cars they can get their hands on.]

Depreciation is even more painful.
[It depends upon the brand you buy from. Audi and BMWs tend to hold their value way better than let’s say Mercedes or Maserati. Most cars depreciate the most within the first three years of ownership. So, unless you’re leasing your cars and give them back so you won’t have to worry about the hit in depreciation, this reason is also a weak one.]

I have to travel much further to get repairs done.
[No matter what car you purchase, some repairs will have to be done at the dealership and yes you will have to travel to the dealership. I’d rather make the drive to the dealership and get my vehicle properly fixed under warranty than to go to my mechanic who may or may not know how to work on newer vehicles with all these high tech features. You can buy a new Kia and still have to take it to the dealer for certain repairs.]

The normal behavior of children is more costly.
[Leather seats are actually a lot easier to clean than you’d think. Cloth seats tend to absorb moisture which makes them harder to clean if your kids spill juice on them. Regardless if I have a Honda Pilot or Mercedes GL, I will be very upset if my kids spilled juice in the car. This is why if you have kids in the car, buy spill proof products for them or have them wait until they are at home or at the destination you are intended to go to.]


I would be scared to breathe in it.
[So what you’re saying is, you’d feel better in a $20k Kia? Here’s my thing about this statement here, you can have a new car and have that new car anxiety. You can have a used car still have that same exact anxiety. When you switch from one car to another, you have to readapt yourself to that particular vehicle all over again. It doesn’t matter if it’s an Audi, Mercedes or BMW. When you buy a new car you have to readapt to that vehicle because it’s a totally different vehicle. I fear people hitting my car and I drive a $20k Mitsubishi. It doesn’t matter the price of the vehicle, the fear of others being jealous of what you have is an actual fear for anyone.]

Devon takes a look at an overlooked compact sedan (Used)

The Mitsubishi Lancer EVO has a strong cult following with it's rally bred heritage and amazing all-wheel-drive system. But for those who can't afford the premium of an EVO can choose from the more mainstream Lancer. But with more heavy hitters in the compact sedan segment can Mitsubishi still provide a valid reason to consider the aging Lancer?


Performance: There are four trim levels and three engines to choose from. Standard ES comes with a 2-liter four-cylinder producing 148hp. GT and SE AWC comes equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 168hp. Top of the range Ralliart comes with a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 237hp. Pick of the range is the GT which makes the most sense. It has all the features you'll want and has the sporty looks that are hard to ignore.

On the road: The Lancer is very entertaining to drive as long as you stick with the GT trim or Ralliart. Both make the Lancer feel as engaging to drive as it's keen rivals the Ford Focus and Mazda3. However it isn't as sharp or poshed as both. Steering feel is decent and overall response of the 2.4 makes it well worth spending the extra cash for. While those who couldn't afford the EVO will be satisfied with the Ralliart. The CVT transmission feels like it saps the engine power leaving you cold when you need it most and overpowering when you don't need it. Thus the manual gearbox we feel is the safest way to go. Disappointingly the Ralliart does not offer a manual transmission. Wind and road noise are at acceptable levels.

Behind the wheel: There's plenty of adjustments for the driver's seat but sadly the steering wheel doesn't adjust for reach. Interior quality doesn't feel up to par with it's competition. The touch screen display feels dated and not as refined as we would like. Passenger space all round is decent and the boot offers enough space to satisfy most buyers needs.

Equipment: Standard ES trim offers keyless entry with anti-theft security system, cd-player power windows and an AUX input for your MP3 player. SE AWC offers heated front seats, digital HD radio and electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. GT trim adds 18 inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler and Bluetooth connectivity for your mobile phone. Range topping Ralliart offers a sportier exterior trim, full time all-wheel-drive system and a twin-clutch auto gearbox.

Buying & Owning: The standard Lancer seems like a good deal but we highly suggest going for the GT with the sporty looks and added features such as touch screen display and 18 inch alloy wheels. The premium isn't too much and overall impressions of it are good. The SE AWC is best avoided unless you just have to have the traction. Lancer running costs should be about average among its competition but resale value is something to consider.

Quality: Mitsubishi has good quality cars. Reliability isn't going to be much of an issue. Only real issue here is locating a Mitsubishi dealership for repairs if you do come across such a problem. Interior quality isn't great although it does feel sturdy and long lasting. There are rivals that offer the best of both worlds and you really don't have to pick between the two.

Safety: Front and side curtain airbags come standard. As well as a traction control, anti-lock brakes with brake force distribution to help reduce braking distance in the case of an emergancy braking situation. Also a host of anti-theft aids come standard to keep theft away.

The Lancer is an attractive sedan that is often over looked by competition. It does offer an compelling package and is priced right with the heavy hitters such as the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. However the styling inside out is dated and there's quite a few short comings with the Lancer that others seem to have mastered. If you want the Lancer for it's generous kit and reasonable price then this is the car for you. However keen rivals have all passed it by and it seems that the only logical reason to buy one is for the discounts.

Likes: Stylish exterior looks. Ralliart is just as good as the EVO but cheaper! Generous standard kit.

Dislikes: Overdue for a redesign. Not sure if the Lancer offers an compelling enough reason to consider over the already better competitors.

Devon's pick: The GT form has the looks and is just as fun to drive as the Ralliart minus the turbo engine. This isn't a bad thing because running costs will be slightly improved and you won't have to pay the premium for the Ralliart.