In an ultra-competitive segment, the new Lancer has a few things going for it, not the least of which is its looks. Because many shoppers in the compact segment are younger, first-time buyers, Mitsubishi's stylish design could pay off with trendsetters in the under-30 set.

The fact that there is still a significant amount of value in the Lancer to go along with its sporty driving dynamic doesn't hurt, either. Its main fault is that it doesn't drive as aggressively as it looks, but nothing in this class does. After a week in the Lancer, I felt like I had been driving it for a year, and it had enough sporty attitude for most drivers out there. And I didn't mind all the attention I got in it, either.