Unique Lancer fits right in

The compact segment is perhaps one of the most sophisticated in Canada, which is probably news to most people except those who shop in it.

Although its buyers are mostly driven by price point, the products in the segment are some of the most unique in the business both from other segments and from each other. Have a close look at the products offered in this segment.

Chev Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3, Nissan Sentra, Kia Spectra, Pontiac G5, Toyota Corolla, VW Jetta – with only a couple exceptions, all the cars in the segment look different. Test drive them and you find out they act differently from each other, too. Add to that list cars indicative of a growing trend toward five-door variants – Dodge Caliber, Spectra5, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix, VW Rabbit – and you increase the complexity of the segment by adding even more vehicles that are different from the rest.

And then top it all off with the general impression that there isn’t an even mediocre vehicle in the bunch and you begin to get a notion of how hard it is to shop in this market.

Now along comes a relative newcomer to Canada – Mitsubishi – and it adds yet another unique vehicle to the mix – the all-new Lancer – and the complexities grow yet again. And judging from the comments I got from its week-long stay with me, it’s one of the most attractive in the group.

In this day of swoopy shapes and contoured panels, Lancer stands out for its basic three-box design and chiselled features – the nose is blunt with a slight overbite to give it that shark-nose quality; the headlights give the front a sense of bird-of-prey concentration while the rear taillights have a steely, squinty determination.

It’s apparently an eye-catching look, drawing passersby with a Colin Farrell sort of attraction.

Lancer was first introduced to the world in 1973 and performed duty in Canada in the Chrysler stable under various names for Dodge, Plymouth and Eagle (Arrow, Colt, Lancer and Summit) between 1976 and 1996. It became a Mitsubishi nameplate in Canada 2002, two years after the merger of Chrysler Corp with Daimler AG.

The Lancer at the time could have been any of a number of compacts at the time, but apparently they all evolved in their own way much to the benefit of the segment. Today’s Lancer maintains its entry-level characteristics but blends them with a healthy dose of individuality.

The dimensions are in tune with the market, but the design as mentioned earlier is unique to Lancer. Performance is probably a bit above market standards with a firm suspension granting a really satisfying driving experience. Steering is light and precise and the engine does a good job of powering the car while granting a pleasant audible note.

Our test car was manually shifted (yea!) rather than optionally fitted with the continuously variable transmission (which is a fine tranny, but not for a car whose looks hold so much promise).

Interior dimensions are also within the realms of acceptance of the market but the layout is well arrayed and unhampered by trying to appear greater than it is.

The dash is simple with the typical standard issue radio looking like a typical standard issue radio, high on the panel. The heating/ventilation arrangement is a climate-control system navigated via a three-dial setup with auto mode for vent and fan speed – easy to use and providing good feedback, it’s one of those set-and-forget things that add to the simplicity of everyday driving.

The gauges are a throwback to the old days of instrumentation with large speedo and tach bookending warning lights for all the other minor things that once in a while require attention. The steering wheel houses controls for cruise and hands-free mobile operation as well as redundant controls for the radio.

Seating is comfortable all around and understandably roomy for four, with the ability to squeeze a fifth into the centre rear 60/40 split bench that better houses a pull-down armrest with integrated cupholders. As with others in the segment, don’t do it unless you absolutely have to.

The driving position is in keeping with the European mindset, which means that unless you’re long of torso and short of leg, you’ll either find the steering wheel falling at extended arm’s reach or your knees banging into the underside of the steering column.

The short decklid opens high with the aid of hydraulic struts to unveil a decent opening to a large, flat-floored trunk. Putting down the rear seatbacks creates a two-inch step in cargo floor, which is probably not such a bad thing for a sedan. Although the trunk hinge setup probably aided in lifting the spoiler/equipped trunk lid, it did not make it at all easy to close due to the lack of a hand-hold.

Still, that’s only a slight niggle on an otherwise good-looking, useful and fun-to-drive little package that stands out in a crowded compact sedan segment.