2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Review

In a segment defined by value and gas mileage, the sporty Lancer GT doesn't cut it against its best competitors — or even against the average ones.

Though you wouldn't know just by looking, the attractive Lancer hasn't been redesigned since the 2008 model year. That may not seem like a long time, but the compact-sedan segment has taken huge leaps in refinement and gas mileage since the Lancer last saw a thorough going-over. Little has changed for the 2013 model year (see them compared here).

Compacts like the Mazda3 and Ford Focus are many times more refined for a similar price, and some versions of these competitors get substantially better gas mileage. The Lancer sedan comes in four primary trim levels: DE, ES, GT and SE. The GT has a more powerful engine and a sportier suspension than the other trim levels, but it's slotted below the higher-performance, turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Ralliart and Evolution models. See here for a comparison of Lancer trims. Compare the GT, Ralliart and Evolution here.

If you prefer hatchbacks, the Sportback version of the Lancer comes in ES and GT trim levels, detailed separately.

• Old Dog, Few Tricks
• Ride Quality & Noise
• Gas Mileage
• Pricing & Features
• Safety
• Mitsubishi Lancer GT in the Market