2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Review

Mitsubishi is trying to elbow its way to greater recognition in a crowded small car market with a new station wagon and sporty new Lancer Ralliart models.

Many young drivers with limited budgets are drawn to small sporty cars -- especially if they cost less than $20,000.

Regular Lancer sedan and wagon models have list prices from $13,957 to $16,597. They're decent, economical, small cars, but the $17,997-$19,197 Ralliart versions are sportier, with better handling.

Ralliart is Mitsubishi's racing arm and international performance brand, although it's unknown in America outside auto buff circles. Ralliart has made Mitsubishi's World Rally Championship cars. But, while major rallies are a big deal in Europe, they're virtually ignored here.

The Lancer Ralliart competes in the U.S. small car market against such under-$20,000 sporty small cars as the Ford Focus SVT and Nissan Sentra SE-R. It fits between standard Lancers and the ferocious, limited-production Evolution, which has 271 horsepower and starts at about $27,000. There's a new, lighter version of the "Evo'' for even better performance.

The 2004 Lancer lineup features fresh front and rear styling and the first-time station wagon, which is called the Sportback. The new engine goes in the Sportback LS wagon and Ralliart sedan and Sportback Ralliart wagon.

Conventional Lancer sedans have a 2-liter, 120-horsepower four-cylinder engine that provides adequate acceleration and good fuel economy.

The larger new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine has variable valve timing and comes only with a responsive four-speed automatic transmission. It produces 160 horsepower in the Sportback LS wagon and 162 horsepower in the Ralliart sedan and wagon because the Ralliart version of the engine has a less restrictive exhaust system.

Ralliart models also have such features as more steering stiffness for a sportier feel and a firmer sport suspension with low-profile (50-series) tires on alloy wheels.

A red tubular three-point front strut tower brace spans the engine bay to help reinforce the Ralliart's structural rigidity for sharper handling. Larger four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock system and electronic brake force distribution provide surer stops.

Giving the Ralliart a sportier appearance are front, side and rear air dams, a unique grille, tinted headlight lenses and projector-beam fog lights. There also are color-keyed bumpers, mirrors, door handles and front/rear side ground effects.

Inside the cockpit are bucket seats yanked from the Japanese Evolution GT-A, stylish white-face gauges and special trim.

The Lancer Ralliart comes as a $17,997 sedan with a nifty five-speed manual gearbox and as an $18,797 sedan with the automatic transmission, which adjusts itself to a driver's individual style. The engine works with an aggressive final drive ratio that helps fully exploit the engine's power, although the ratio causes the engine to rev at a rather high 3,000 r.p.m. at 70 mph.

Even the Lancer ES has lots of standard equipment, including air conditioning, AM/FM/CD sound system and power windows, locks and mirrors.

The LS adds remote keyless entry, cruise control, rear window defroster and wiper for the wagon, reclining/split-folding rear seat and automatic-off headlights.

Among standard Sportback Ralliart safety features are front side-impact air bags.

The 3,042-pound Sportback Ralliart I tested had strong, smooth acceleration and delivers a decent, estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. Steering was quick and handling was nimble. This is a front-drive car you can securely push hard through curves, which can't be said for a lot of front-drive autos.

The ride is firm but supple enough to be comfortable most of the time, although sharp bumps elicit jolts. The brake pedal is rather soft, but has a linear action for smooth stops.

There's decent room for four tall occupants in the 181-inch-long Sportback Ralliart, although leg room is tight for a 6-footer with long legs behind a tall driver who moves his seat back all the way. The sedan has a large trunk but could use a larger opening. The wagon's roomy cargo area has a low, wide opening and a large hatch. Cargo room is increased a lot by flipping the rear seatbacks forward.

The Ralliart dashboard has carbon-like and black wood accent panels to liven up its appearance. The front bucket seats are from the high-performance Japanese Evo GT-A and thus are especially supportive. Gauges can be easily read and the turn-signal lever has a handy size and location for easy use.

Radio controls are small, but placed above the climate controls, which aren't used as often. Some climate controls work smoothly, but others are notchy. Interior materials look durable, but not very upscale.

The Sportback Ralliart is rigidly built, although its doors and trunk lid should close with a more authoritative sound.

Mitsubishi doesn't enjoy the name recognition of larger automakers. But it has a leg up with the Ralliart sedan and wagon because they have few under-$20,000 rivals. It's up to Mitsubishi -- and satisfied owners -- to spread the word.

2004 MITSUBISHI LANCER

Prices
$17,997 to approximately $30,000.

Likes
Fast Ralliart and Evolution models. Good handling. Fairly roomy.

Dislikes
Generally low name recognition. Balky temperature controls.