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2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
- For SaleMitsubishi Lancer
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Used Car: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Review
Used Car Scores
| Overall: | 7.3 |
| Critics' Rating: | 8.0 |
| Performance: | 7.6 |
| Interior: | 6.9 |
| Operating Cost: | 7.7 |
| Safety: | 9.3 |
| Reliability: |
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The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer has good safety scores and balanced handling, but subpar interior and reliability scores keep it from being a class leader.
The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer is ranked:
- #21 in Used Small Cars under $12K
- #20 in 2009 Affordable Small Cars
The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer is meant to be a sporty small car, and when it was new, many test drivers praised the performance on higher trims. They called the base engine sluggish, but loved the high-performance Lancer Ralliart, which was new for the 2009 model year.
Reviewers said the Lancer has a roomy and comfortable cabin, but that same cabin is built with cheap materials and has a short list of standard features. The base Lancer comes with a four-speaker stereo and power windows, but air conditioning and safety features like anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control aren’t standard. Though it lacks some standard safety features, the Lancer does very well in crash tests.
The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer delivers good safety scores, plenty of passenger space and satisfying performance on higher trims, but its poor reliability score makes checking out the competition worthwhile.
See the full 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer specs »
Other Cars to Consider
The 2009 Toyota Matrix hatchback also has comfortable second-row seats and one of the largest cargo areas in the class. Although the Matrix doesn’t offer a high-performance model like the Lancer, reviewers said the XRS model, which is equipped with a more powerful engine, is enjoyable to drive. Like the Lancer, the Matrix has an above-average safety score, but the Matrix surpasses the Lancer with better reliability.
If you all you need is a solid commuter car, check out the 2009 Hyundai Elantra. It isn’t as sporty as the Lancer, but it has slightly better fuel economy and a high reliability score. The Elantra also has class-competitive passenger and trunk space.
Compare the Lancer to the Matrix and Elantra »
