Lancer evolves into competitor

With the sheer overload of coverage the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has received in Canada in 2008 - it made its debut here for the first time in its 16-year existence - you could be forgiven for thinking it’s the only Lancer around these parts, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Besides two other models debuting later in ‘08 (a Ralliart as well as a base 2.4-litre model), there’s also a base-model Lancer - freshly redesigned - that just happens to be one of the best new compact sedans to come out in years. Pound-for-pound, it’s right up there with market leaders like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

Right from the get-go, you can tell Mitsubishi took this redesign seriously. The aggressive-looking headlamps and taillamps hint at something that won’t just be gunning for the consolation prize in a beauty pageant. The GTS trim (which we tested) adds plenty of exterior add-ons, from 18-inch alloy wheels and fog lights to a substantial rear spoiler. This car is muscular, athletic and just plain pleasing to the eye.

I do have to admit that when I initially fired up the Lancer and threw the shifter into first, I was still having flashbacks of my first Evo experience mere weeks ago. It’s a real wake-up call controlling the all-wheel drive Evo that has almost 300-horsepower, to the front-wheel drive GTS that has about half that power. Once you remember, though, that the Lancer should be compared to the Civics and Cobalts, you’ll realize how impressive it is. Steering isn’t quite as direct as a Honda Civic but it still trumps just about anything else in that category, while the five-speed manual transmission is surprisingly fun.

Though it looks and sounds much more aggressive than its brethren, the GTS is still powered by the same 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine as the DE and ES trims. It may be sportier than a Corolla or Elantra, but don’t expect something that will absolutely tear up the roads. It’s fun to drive, but the Lancer still has its limits. One thing it doesn’t have is the buzziness typically found in little cars with little engines.

One of the biggest things going for the Lancer is the amount of advanced technology with which it can be equipped. In its segment, only Ford can tout the same Bluetooth wireless cellphone technology, in its Focus; and no competitor can be equipped with a factory sound system as killer as the Rockford-Fosgate unit found in the Lancer. Same goes for the keyless entry system the Lancer uses; just throw the key fob in your pocket, purse or whatever, and everything can be done using one hand. It’s features like these that are really going to force competitors to keep pace.

Granted, you’ll have to shell out at least $2,000 to get the above-mentioned options, which isn’t exactly chump change, especially for a relatively inexpensive car like this, but considering what you get, I think it’s worth it if you don’t mind bumping up those monthly payments a little bit.

It is a little disappointing that the seating in the Lancer falls into the same trap that many Japanese cars do - it’s nearly impossible to get close enough to reach the centre stack controls without bumping your knees against the steering column. And this isn’t just the case with the tall folk, either. Luckily, the controls themselves are easy to read and set up in an idiot-proof manner.

Mitsubishi has a really good thing going with the Lancer. Its pricing and safety is on-par with the rest of its segment, it comes with plenty of standard and optional features, and it has a personality that a lot of other competitors are completely lacking.

This Lancer may not have the word ‘Evolution’ on its trunk, but it’s still an evolution all its own.