2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Review | Buyer Guide
Redesigned Lancer Meets the Competition
Mitsubishi has high hopes for its redesigned Lancer. It is sportier looking, more powerful and better handling than the car it replaces. Yet, gaining market share will be no easy task, the Lancer has to compete with cars like the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla and the Mazda3.
Mitsubishi gave the 2008 Lancer a more aggressive look, with a forward thrusting nose and a large mesh-covered air-intake below the front bumper. It’s also a couple inches wider this year, which makes it appear more formidable. And, if you order the sport-tuned GTS model, you get beefy18-inch alloy wheels, ground-hugging bodywork and a rear-deck spoiler.
On the inside, the cabin is more business-like than sporty. However, it’s a clean and crisp design. The most notable features include a prominent brow over the deeply recessed gauges and bands of silver trim on the dash and doors. Satellite controls for the radio are conveniently located on the steering wheel.
The Lancer rides on a longer, 103.7-inch, wheelbase this year, and seats four average-size adults in comfort. Head and legroom, fore and aft are good for a sedan in this class. Rear-seat passengers sit a little higher than those in front, so they have a decent view of the road.
Mitsubishi equips the Lancer with a class-leading seven airbags. In addition to front, side impact and side curtain airbags, the Lancer gets an additional bag for the driver’s knees. This feature is usually found only on upscale cars.
Under the hood, Mitsubishi has stuffed in a new 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that is nearly 60 pounds lighter than the one it replaces. It pumps out 152 horsepower (143 in California) which is substantially higher than the 120 hp offered in last year’s car. This is a quiet and refined engine that pulls well on hills from just under 2500 rpm. It is hooked up to a standard five-speed manual transmission that shifts smoothly, and comes with a light clutch. An optional continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is available for $1000. The CVT is a new, more efficient type of automatic the uses a belt and pulley system, rather than gears, to deliver power to the wheels.
My test car was the mid-range ES model with a manual gearbox. I liked the sporty feel of the Lancer. The steering was precise, and it provided me with a good sense of what the wheels were doing. Additionally, the car felt well balanced negotiating sharp turns on twisty roads. Furthermore, the ride was equal to the handling. It was well controlled, yet compliant going over rough stretches of pavement, and thanks to a new stronger body, there was an absence of road rumble.
The Lancer is available with a variety of upscale options. My test car came equipped with a Rockford-Fosgate premium audio system. This is a 650-watt unit that plays through nine speakers, including a trunk-mounted subwoofer. It’s part of a $1500 package that also included SIRIUS satellite radio and a sunroof. A navigation system is available on the top-of-the-line GTS.
Pricing for the Lancer starts at $14,515 for the entry level DE. The ES, like the one I drove begins at $16,615. And the sport-tuned GTS goes for $18,115.
Snapshot Review
Aggressive styling
Refined Power Train
Good Handling and Ride
Seven Airbags
Specifications
Base Price (ES) $16,615
Engine 2.0-liter, DOHC, 4-cyl
Horsepower 152
Transmission 5 sp manual
Brakes disc, ABS
Gas Mileage 21-29 mpg
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