Styling

Some people suggest that a car's performance is the most important part of any review, but that's not the case with the new Lancer. This is one sharp-looking sedan. Rarely do I test a sub-$20,000 car that gets stares, but the Lancer GTS, with its 18-inch alloy wheels and super-sized spoiler, had plenty of heads turning in its direction.

The most daring design element is the front end, with its frowning grille and sharp headlights tucked underneath an angled hood. There are so many stylish lines on the new Lancer I was surprised by something new each time I showed it to someone. During a video shoot, I noticed that there are actually two distinct lines running down the rear flank of the car, not just one.

Around back, the taillights slant inward, toward the license plate, but also protrude out from the car's body — not flush like most vehicles — just at the top of the taillight. The bottoms are flush with another style line sliding underneath. That's a lot of detail for a company's entry-level vehicle.