2008 Mitsubishi Lancer First Drive

Mitsubishi Lancer – First Drive: Life must be hard for the Mitsubishi Lancer. Forever in the shadow of its twin, the all-wheel-drive Evolution, it can only dream of having its own cult following or serving as the primary life line for its struggling brand. Nonetheless, 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. Unfortunately, none of that addresses the loud ride, questionable materials, and lack of refinement.

The Basics: Origins

When it hits the lots in February, the 2008 model will represent the ninth generation for the Lancer nameplate. First introduced in 1973, the Lancer has a history based on performance and has been involved with multiple rally-racing championships. This new model rides on the brand’s C platform which is also used for the new Outlander SUV and will serve as the backbone of the upcoming Evolution X.

The Basics: Model Mix – DE Standard Features

Want basic four-door transportation? Mitsubishi’s got ya covered with the 2008 Lancer DE, a modestly equipped model that offers up the bare essentials, not to mention the brand’s outstanding warranty: five years/60,000 miles for basic coverage, 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain, and seven years/100,000 miles for rust. Prices start at about $14,000. Standard equipment includes 16-inch steel wheels, a tilt steering wheel, seven airbags with one for the driver’s knee, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a 140-watt audio system with a CD/MP3 player and speed-compensated volume. DE buyers also get a trip computer and power windows, though power door locks are not part of the deal.

The Basics: Model Mix – ES Standard Features

Positioned in the middle of the model lineup, the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer ES takes the DE and adds chrome and color-keyed accents to the exterior and silver accents to the interior, power mirrors and door locks, air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, upgraded cloth seat fabric, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, floor mats, and a rear split bench with a fold-down center armrest. There are also some welcome little touches like an additional power outlet, front map lights, and a rear coat hanger. More obvious are the steering wheel buttons for the radio and cruise control (and Bluetooth devices), and the keyless entry remote.

The Basics: Model Mix – GTS Standard Features

With the obvious exception of the Evolution X model, which is expected to debut within the next year, the GTS is the sportiest Lancer you can buy. Specific cues include a lower body kit, a rear spoiler, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, chrome interior trim, premium fabric on sport bucket seats, and paddle shifters on the steering wheel (if you opt for the continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT). A sport-tuned suspension also serves to add some zeal to the GTS, as do the chrome exhaust tip and front fog lights.

The Basics: Model Mix –Options

In an effort to dress up their rides a bit, DE and ES buyers can opt for front fog lights, while folks selecting the DE can go crazy with a set of Mitsubishi floor mats or the A/C and Power Package, which includes manual air conditioning, antilock brakes, and power door locks. A Sun & Sound Package can be fitted to ES and GTS Lancers, providing a 650-watt Rockford-Fosgate sound system, a subwoofer, six months of Sirius satellite radio service, an iPod jack, and a power sunroof. Finally, the Navi & Tech Package, available on the GTS (navigation is a dealer-installed option on the ES), features a touch-screen navigation system with extra hard drive space for storing music, and Mitsubishi’s FAST-Key remote system.

What’s New: Exterior Design

If there was one area in which the previous Lancer was lacking, it was most definitely style. For 2008, the exterior design is entirely new, replacing what was dowdy with an aggressive front end accented by sleekly slanted headlights, a raised hood, muscular flanks, and a sharp tail. Opinion around the office is mixed regarding whether the Lancer breaks new ground or just offers a new take on the previous generation Galant – either way, it’s an improvement. GTS models get a little extra visual zing with unique alloy wheels, a body kit, fog lights, and a rear spoiler. Visibility is satisfactory and the ample trunk features a wide opening, lined lid, and ES and GTS versions benefit from a split-folding rear seat.

What’s New: Interior Design

It must be said up front that the cars Mitsubishi provided for evaluation were pre-production models, so any fitment or materials issues we noticed needed to be taken with a grain of salt. But it’s safe to assume that most of what we experienced will make it to your local showroom, including the low-budget and hard headliner, the vinyl sun visors, and the excessive use of hard plastic that plays a hollow tune when tapped with a finger. Most of the primary controls and dials are hard plastic, lacking the preferable rubber grips. Storage is adequate and includes a front center armrest cubby. Overall, we’re OK with the design, but wish for higher quality materials.

What’s New: Front Seat Comfort

Each Lancer gets its own seat fabric, with noticeable improvements in quality and feel as you climb the trim ladder. We spent the bulk of our time in a GTS model with the standard sport buckets, and can report that the fabric does indeed feel softer than that in the ES, and there’s little to dislike about the GTS’s comfort and substantial side bolsters. Window sills are wide enough to accommodate forearms, but they’re too high and the hard plastic leaves something to be desired. Padded door armrests are too low and become narrow where they need to be thick for resting elbows; the center armrest is too far back. We like the tilt wheel, but missed a telescoping function.

What’s New: Rear Seat Comfort

Our five-foot-eight-inch tall editor found the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer’s back seat to be quite roomy, reporting abundant foot, leg, and head room. The bench seat height and wide-opening doors allow for easy ingress/egress, and the soft front seatbacks are easy on intruding knees. The bench itself is very comfortable, featuring a natural recline position, slightly bucketed lower sections, and inconsequential side bolsters. Three headrests are provided, though the center seat section is not terribly hospitable. Upper trims get a split seat back and a padded fold-down center armrest with cupholders. All in all, the Lancer’s rear seat passengers are treated quite well, and in no way is this your typical econocar penalty box.

What’s New: Primary Controls

Designers have done an admirable job in regards to placement of the 2008 Lancer’s primary controls. The heating and air conditioning systems, for instance, are operated with three big dials on the center dash, each clearly marked and easy to manipulate. Above is a sound system that replaces a traditional face plate with dash-integrated buttons – thumbs up for clearly-marked buttons, but thumbs down for forcing the driver to reach for some of them. When so equipped, steering wheel controls are big enough for the thick-thumbed among us, and the oft-used power windows/door locks/mirrors buttons are intuitively placed on the driver’s door switch panel.