MSRP: $14,540 - $19,540
Invoice: $13,852 - $18,616
MPG: 22 City / 30 Hwy
Get local dealer price quotes:

U.S.News Scores

Overall:7.8
Performance:7.6
Exterior:9.0
Interior:7.0
Safety:9.6
Reliability:5.0
Research we analyzed for this review
Pros and Cons
  • Striking exterior styling
  • Crisp steering, strong handling capabilities
  • Well-liked seats, especially the sport seats on the GTS model
  • Nice sound quality from the optional Rockford-Fosgate audio system
  • Lackluster cabin quality
  • No telescoping steering wheel

Prices

See what others recently paid in your area for the Lancer.

Shop around for the best deal by getting price quotes from local dealers.

Mitsubishi Lancer - What the Auto Press Says

The Lancer's attractive exterior styling and balanced handling are strong for this segment, while some of its high-tech cabin features are more common in a luxury class. Still, the Lancer's reluctant engine and sub-standard interior quality don't compare well with other compacts.

Reviewers have mixed impressions of the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer. Generally auto writers report the car has an eye-catching exterior, and notice its sporty road demeanor. But there's no consensus on the car's three transmission options. Following its 2008 redesign, the Detroit News wrote, "Parts of the redesigned Lancer…exceed expectations, but other areas fall flat. It's an overachiever without the follow-through to threaten the competition."

However, in this competitive class, it's Honda cars that are recognized for offering outstanding cabin quality and polished performance, much more so than Mitsubishi. If you need a more consistent performer, check out a Honda Civic. Like the Lancer, the Civic also has a performance trim, the Civic Si, if you want a more spirited ride. To Mitsubishi's credit, the Lancer has standard stability control, which is an optional feature with the Civic.

There have been few changes on the 2009 Lancer since last year. Still available in three trims, the top-of-the-line GTS trim has a new 2.4-liter engine. For the 2009 model year Mitsubishi is expected to introduce a Lancer Ralliart, featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder with 237 horsepower. For the 2010, Mitsubishi will release the Lancer Sportback, a five-door hatchback version of the Lancer available in GTS and Ralliart trims.

  • "For 2008, Mitsubishi throws out everything but the nameplate and starts from a much better place." -- Motor Trend
  • "While the new Lancer GTS boasts amenities not seen on other cars in its class, a powerful engine isn't one of them. But if rally car looks, nice tech options, and a booming stereo are more your speed, this Mitsubishi is an excellent choice." -- CNET
  • "The Lancer soldiers on, finding its niche among rental fleets and buyers who opt not for the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, or other leading competitors. For 2008, Mitsubishi hopes to woo even more buyers with the Lancer's aggressive styling, roomy interior, responsive handling, and range of basic to sport-tuned models, each backed by one of the best warranties in the business." -- Autosite
  • "The new Lancer's 'rally inspired' design captures the excitement of a sports sedan, but it does so in a package that is reasonably priced and economical to drive." -- Kansas City Star
  • "First-time car buyers should like the new Lancer. Its exterior and performance is top notch. It's affordable and when they sit inside it, they won't know what they're missing. They'll take the Mr. Hyde with the Dr. Jekyll, because they won't need a doctor's salary to afford one." -- Detroit News
  • "The Ralliart boasts a fun-to-drive personality plus everyday driving conveniences like auxiliary ports for gadgets, steering-wheel controls, keyless entry/ignition and ample trunk space to humor your most impulsive shopping trips." -- Mother Proof

Lancer Performance - 7.6 (Good)

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer's lower trims are adequate performers in the class, but there are differing reviews on whether the premium Lancer trims have sufficient power. For example, Road and Track says, "While the Ralliart definitely has some giddyup, don't be expecting to yell 'yee-hah!' on acceleration as you would in an Evo." Read More

Lancer Exterior - 9.0 (Excellent)

The automotive press generally agrees that the Lancer's striking profile is one of its strongest attributes. Motor Trend says the car has an interesting look, "with an aggressive face and a Volvo-ish profile." Edmunds determines "It has a look that sets it apart from the ominpresent Honda Civic, stodgy new Nissan Sentra and uninspired Toyota Corolla." Read More

Lancer Interior - 7.0 (Good)

The 2009 Lancer's interior is ironic. Although its seats are among the most comfortable in its class, there is no telescoping steering wheel to allow for optimum driver comfort. And while the Lancer has many well-liked standard and optional features, its cabin material quality is sub-par, even in an affordable segment. Read More

Lancer Safety - 9.6 (Excellent)

The 2009 Lancer earns good scores in government and insurance industry crash tests, and includes active stability control as a standard feature whereas top class cars like the Honda Fit and Honda Civic do not. Read More

Lancer Reliability - 5.0 (Mediocre)

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer has one of the more comprehensive warranty packages in the business. It includes a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Read More

Review Last Updated: 9/30/09