Mitsubishi’s abbreviated 2016 U.S. lineup features smaller statured, fuel-friendly offerings sans convertibles, pickup-trucks or full-sized heavy-duty sport utilities. In fact, its long-running Lancer qualifies as the largest (and sole) four-door sedan despite its compact designate, elevating its profile, by default, to ‘flagship’ sedan status.
However, when measured against rivals, Lancer skews towards the larger end of the compact spectrum, resulting in ample front and rear leg room.
Rounding out Mitsubishi’s mini menagerie of conventional internal combustion powered offerings in 2016 is the mid-size Outlander crossover, available in two and three-row configurations. Also joining the charge; the alternative-powered, four-passenger tightly -packed i-MiEV, boasting the lowest price of any all-electric plug-in starting under $24,000.
The sub-compact, three-cylinder Mirage, rejoins the lineup in 2017 (after a brief 2016 hiatus) with a refresh and a continued promise of 40 miles per gallon.
From Japanese, Mitsubishi loosely translates to ‘three diamonds,’ represented visually in the company logo found on the trunk lid’s long vertical drop and honeycomb, mesh-like prominent front grille with trapezoidal outline. Inside, the tri-diamonds visually center the three-spoke steering wheel.
For 2016, Lancer’s exterior facelift includes a revised daytime running light structure featuring LED (light emitting diode) technology found low along the lower front end and pushed to the corners. Headlight housing flanks a new front fascia with chrome highlights and side-view mirrors smartly include secondary blinker bands, helping alert those on the road of your next move. All trims now include aluminum alloy wheels and standard fog lights.
Lancer’s one-time top-tier Ralliart trim quietly faded away last year. For 2016, the GT trim slots into the top spot joining entry ES and mid-stream SE and SEL trims.
Retiring upon the close of 2016; the turbocharged Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, a low volume (1,600 units) high wow-factor entry cranking out 303 horses, utilizing high-performance Brembo brakes and sporting a can’t miss rear spoiler. The inspirational ‘Evo’ sub category could easily return in future products down the road as it’s highly sought after within the ‘tuner’ aftermarket community.
Lancer finds itself in a heated battle with compact-sized rivals with much heftier marketing budgets and historically strong name recognition such as Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus and Honda Civic. Compared with its plethora of rivals, Lancer’s platform remains dated, approaching ten years of dedicated service.
Mitsubishi mothballed its sole U.S. production facility in downstate Normal Illinois near Bloomington last year. At peak performance, in the early 2000s, the facility churned out six models, building more than 220,000 vehicles annually. In 2014, the plant built 69,178 Outlander crossovers, the sole model built in Illinois during its final year, with about half exported overseas.
The Prairie State facility opened in 1988 as a joint venture between Chrysler Corp. (now an intricate part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) and Mitsubishi. A few years later in 1991, Mitsubishi bought out Chrysler’s stake. This spring, the plant was purchased by a liquidation firm with a substantial track record of automotive assembly plant repurposing.
Two Illinois assembly plants remain operational: Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s Belvidere plant adjacent to the Northwest Tollway in Boone County and Ford Motor Company’s Torrance Avenue complex dotting Chicago’s far south side.
Lancer offers two four-cylinder, naturally aspirated engines. The value-driven ES is the sole Lancer trim featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder (148 horsepower) mated to a five-speed manual transmission. All other trims move up to a 2.4-liter bumping horsepower to very respectable 168.
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) continues as the high-volume transmission. It’s standard in SE, SEL, available in ES models, all of which come standard with all-wheel control (Mitsubishi speak for all wheel drive). The sport-minted GT comes standard with five-speed manual while offering CVT (and the sole CVT with steering wheel paddle shifters) as an option.
A CVT transmission historically delivers improved fuel numbers when compared to a conventional transmission with five or six planetary forward shift points. Mitsubishi’s latest generation CVT technology takes advantage of an infinite number of gear ratios through belt-driven mechanics with reduced noise and smoother operation. Expect moderate, but not thrill-seeking acceleration. Our SEL tester’s fuel mileage surpassed 30 miles per gallon highway (31), impressive for a system incorporating all-wheel drive.
Our well-equipped SEL tester checked in at a tempting $21,995. With no option packages and $810 handling charge, the bottom line scooted in at $22,805. Lancer’s value leader, a five-speed manual ES checks in at $17,595, one of the lowest priced four-door compacts with this level of standard equipment. A $1,800 in-dash navigation package with larger seven-inch screen is optional across all trim lines.
During spirited turns, expect some body lean. For inspired compact-sized handling, check out the Mazda 3 sedan. Consistent highway travel brings about a bit of wind noise, but not of an overpowering nature. Audible spinning tire feedback is more noticeable than what’s heard from a variety of competitors, but again not a deal breaker.
While the steering wheel manually tilts up and down, the lack of telescoping capabilities could hamper longer-legged captains. Cruise control operations are found at 3 o’clock on the face while secondary audio controls at 9 o’clock. A kite-tail like progression of three buttons extends down from audio functions monitoring hands-free phone commands.
Front bucket seats (with new seat fabrics) manually operate via a pull-bar under seat cushions. Rear seatbacks include a 60/40 spilt allowing fold-forward privileges once circular buttons adjacent to headrests get pushed, disengaging the lock mechanism. Drivers experience good road perception when ensconced in the front bucket thanks to larger-than-average windows.
During Lancer’s next redesign, fuel door and trunk release pull levers need repositioning to a higher plateau than on the floor left of the driver’s seat. Also, since both retain black hues, no contrast exists between levers and black floor mats and carpeting.
To the instrument panels left, a push button for toggling through a half-dozen visual digital window tutorials (trip mileage, digital speedometer) between two circular, deep-set analog gauges. A more user-friendly local for the button would be the steering wheel, eliminating the left-arm stretch.
Kudos for Lancer retaining three large, tactile, easy-to-grab dials for manually adjusting fan speed, direction and temperature. Some may consider this old school, but the simplicity of operation keeps driver’s better focused on the task at hand; having eyes focused on traffic ahead. Beneath is a coved region with 12-volt outlet and USB port for connectivity of portable electronics. Between front buckets are dual in-line cup holders and hand-operated parking brake.
The tidy trunk region (12.3 cubic feet) benefits from strut-tower like hinges outside the cargo hold, reducing the chances of unintended box squash from interior-mounted goose-neck designs.
Also returning unchanged at no extra charge, Mitsubishi’s ten-year 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and fully transferable (to the next owner) five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty.
2016 Mitsubishi Lancer
Price as Tested: $22,805
Engine: 2.4-liter inline four cylinder
Horsepower: 148
Wheelbase: 103.7 inches
Length: 182.1 inches
Width: 69.4 inches
Fuel Economy: 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway
Curb weight: 2,888 pounds
Powertrain warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
Built: Japan