Mitsubishi is a company that can be deeply hard to second guess. For every slice of brilliant yin like the Lancer Evolution, there’s the deeply unexceptional yang of a Carisma. It’s almost as if it needs the two extremes to balance themselves out. Having wowed us with the Colt range of superminis, Mitsubishi must feel the need to counter with a car that will be ignored by many. It’s hard to see the Lancer range attracting much in the way of showroom footfall but if budget stolidity is what you’re looking for, here’s a car that would initially seem to answer the call.
The Lancer certainly has keen pricing on its side if not a wide variety of engine choices. Saloon buyers get a choice of Equippe or Elegance models, both powered by the same 1.6-litre engine at prices starting from £10,026. Plus there’s a 2.0-litre Sport variant for £11,551 for those seeking a kind of EVO feel. Go for an estate version of any of these and you’ve a £500 premium to add.
Mitsubishi haven’t been shy when it comes to equipping the Lancer and this ninth-generation car features fifteen-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint, air conditioning, a CD player, keyless entry, colour keyed electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors and front fog lights.
