2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Fresh styling, first-time wagons, and a new engine highlight Mitsubishi's smallest cars for 2004. All Lancers have 4-cyl engines. A 120-hp 2.0-liter powers the ES, LS, and O-Z Rally sedans. Added is a 162-hp 2.4 for a sporty new Ralliart sedan, along with LS and Ralliart Sportback wagons. At midyear, the limited-edition Evolution sedan added a lower-price RS version with less equipment; both use a 271-hp turbocharged 2.0 and all-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive. Manual transmission is mandatory on Evolution/Evolution RS, standard on ES, O-Z, and Ralliart sedan. Automatic is standard for LS sedan and both wagons, available for ES, O-Z, and Ralliart. ABS is optional for LS sedan and standard on Evolution and Ralliarts. Front side airbags are standard for Ralliart wagon, optional for LS sedan and Ralliart sedan, unavailable otherwise. Also for '04, Evolution's basic front-end look spreads to other Lancers, and sedans get revised tail styling. The O-Z features 15-inch alloy wheels, aero body add-ons, and metal-look interior accents. Ralliarts come with 16-inch alloys, sport-tuned suspension, Evolution-style front seats, and unique trim inside and out. The Evolution/Evolution RS include 17-inch alloys and specific suspension and interior trim.

News

Despite its current financial woes, Mitsubishi is forging on with a redesigned Lancer for 2007. It's built on a new Mitsubishi-engineered platform that corporate stablemate Chrysler Group will use for the next-generation Dodge Neon and Chrysler PT Cruiser. This plan reflects continued cost-cutting efforts at both companies by DaimlerChrysler, which owns a controlling interest in Mitsubishi Motors of Japan. A small V6 is being rumored as an option for the new Lancer as well as a tall-body sport-wagon spinoff that's also expected for '07.

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Road Test

Pros	Cons

Fuel economy	Acceleration (2.0 models)

Acceleration (Evolutions)	Noise (Evolutions)

Steering/handling (2.4 models, Evolutions)	Ride (Evolutions)

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

ES sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	Ralliart wgn, auto.	Evolution	Class Average
4	3	5	8	4

2.0-liter engine adequate with manual transmission, but despite fairly prompt downshifts, automatic leaves it feeling sluggish. 2.4 liter noticeably stronger with either transmission; test Ralliart wagon with 2.4 and automatic did 8.1 sec 0-60, strong for the class. High-performance Evolution is a real hot rod: Test vehicle did 5.5 sec 0-60 mph, but lacked low-end power and suffered turbo lag--a delay in power delivery--at lower speeds.

Fuel Economy

ES sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	Ralliart wgn, auto.	Evolution	Class Average
7	6	6	5	6.6

Test O-Z with manual transmission averaged 26.4 mpg. Test Ralliart wagon with automatic averaged 23.1 mpg in city/highway mix; a Ralliart sedan with manual averaged 23.9. Evolution averaged 18.0 mpg in mostly city driving, 22.8 in mostly highway. Mitsubishi requires premium-grade fuel for Evolutions; others use regular.

Ride Quality

ES sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	Ralliart wgn, auto.	Evolution	Class Average
6	6	4	2	4.4

Evolutions are quite firm but not unbearably harsh. Ralliarts can jolt over sharp bumps, but are in keeping with sporty pretensions. Other Lancers are comfortably stable and composed, though big bumps and dips can cause minor bounce.

Steering/Handling/Braking

ES sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	Ralliart wgn, auto.	Evolution	Class Average
5	6	7	9	5.3

Mainstream models are economy-car competent, with moderate cornering lean and fail-safe front-drive moves. Ralliarts are more agile, responsive, and fun. Evolutions offers laser-sharp handling, tenacious AWD grip, but suffer a large turning circle. ABS should be offered on all Lancers, as stopping power and stability are just OK without it.

Quietness

ES sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	Ralliart wgn, auto.	Evolution	Class Average
5	5	6	2	4

Race-bred Evolutions are quite noisy even in low-effort driving. Other models have acceptable wind and road noise, but suffer mild high-rpm engine boom.

Controls

ES sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	Ralliart wgn, auto.	Evolution	Class Average
6	6	6	6	5.6

Gauges and controls are nothing special, but cause no problems. Cabin materials are inoffensive, look durable, but plastics not that classy in any model. Doors, trunklid close with cheap-sounding clang.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

ES sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	Ralliart wgn, auto.	Evolution	Class Average
5	5	6	6	5.1

Adult-size room. Comfortable, supportive seats. Drivers get standard height-adjustable seat (except on Evolutions, where it may be sorely missed by shorter drivers) and tilt steering wheel. Good outward visibility, especially on wagons, though Evolution's huge rear spoiler can block view. Evolution and wagons include a rear-window wiper. Evolutions and Ralliarts have supportive sport seats with extra side bolstering to hug the torso.

Room/Comfort (rear)

ES sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	Ralliart wgn, auto.	Evolution	Class Average
4	4	4	4	3.9

Average for class, but not cramped for two medium adults. Bench seat too firm and flat for best support, but livable.

Cargo Room

ES sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	Ralliart wgn, auto.	Evolution	Class Average
3	3	7	3	3.9

Sedans have fairly large trunk, but opening narrows at bottom and hinges intrude into cargo hold. Wagons are useful compact load-luggers. All models except the ES sedan have a handy 60/40 split folding seatback.

Value within Class

ES sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	Ralliart wgn, auto.	Evolution	Class Average
6	7	6	2	5.6

Lancer is ordinary in 2.0-liter form, but the new 2.4-liter models are worth a look. Still, no mainstream Lancer is a class star, and "deal of the week" marketing means subpar resale values. The potent Evolutions are pricey, but offer rowdy fun to performance buyers.

Total Score

ES sdn, man.	LS sdn, auto.	Ralliart wgn, auto.	Evolution	Class Average
51	51	57	47	48.4

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		34
Average Score		48
High Score		64

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/24/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

ES 4-door sedan, manual	$13,597	$12,913	$575

ES 4-door sedan, automatic	$14,497	$13,767	$575

LS 4-door sedan, automatic	$15,997	$15,191	$575

O-Z Rally 4-door sedan, manual	$15,997	$15,190	$575

O-Z Rally 4-door sedan, automatic	$16,797	$15,950	$575

Ralliart 4-door sedan, manual	$17,997	$17,090	$575

Ralliart 4-door sedan, automatic	$18,897	$17,945	$575

Ralliart 4-door wagon, automatic	$19,319	$18,347	$575

LS 4-door wagon, automatic	$16,709	$15,868	$575

Evolution 4-door sedan, manual	$29,999	$28,182	$575

Evolution RS 4-door sedan, manual	$26,799	$25,176	$575

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, visor mirrors, automatic-off headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

185/65R14 tires, wheel covers.

LS sedan adds to ES:

Powertrain

4-speed automatic transmission.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Cruise control, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, split folding rear seat, variable-intermittent wipers, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

195/60HR15 tires.

O-Z Rally adds to LS:

Powertrain

5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Upgraded interior trim.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deletes: power sunroof.

Aerodynamics pkg., rear spoiler, alloy wheels.

Ralliart adds to O-Z Rally:

Powertrain

2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Safety

Front side airbags (wagon), antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Cargo cover (wagon), rear wiper/washer (wagon).

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, sport suspension, 205/50R16 tires.

LS wagon adds to LS sedan:

Powertrain

2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Safety

4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Rear wiper/washer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deletes: cruise control, power sunroof.

Rear spoiler.

Evolution adds to LS sedan:

Powertrain

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive, rear limited-slip rear differential.

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, rear wiper/washer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deletes: power sunroof, height-adjustable driver seat.

Rear spoiler, fog lights, xenon headlights, performance suspension, 235/45WR17 tires, alloy wheels.

Evolution RS adds to Evolution VIII:

Powertrain

Front limited-slip differential.

Safety

4-wheel disc brakes.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deletes: antilock brakes, air conditioning, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, rear wiper/washer, rear spoiler, fog lights, xenon headlights.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
ES Convenience Pkg.
ES	$550	$484
Remote keyless entry, split folding rear seat w/armrest, additional cupholders, floormats, color-keyed door handles.

LS Preferred Equipment Pkg.
LS wagon	$990	$873
Cruise control, cargo cover, color-keyed outside mirrors, roof rails, alloy wheels.

Sun and Sound Pkg.
Ralliart sedan	$1,400	$1,232
Power sunroof, upgraded sound system.

Sun, Sound, and Airbag Pkg.
Ralliart sedan	$1,500	$1,320
Sun and Sound Pkg. plus front side airbags.

Sun, Sound, and Leather Pkg.
Evolution	$2,550	$2,224
Leather upholstery, power sunroof, Infinity sound system.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
O-Z Rally, Evolution	$750	$660


Air conditioning
Evolution RS	$	$


Power mirrors
Evolution RS	$	$


Power door locks
Evolution RS	$	$


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Large rear spoiler
Evolution	$600	$522

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Mitsubishi Lancer 4-door sedan	Mitsubishi Lancer 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	102.4	102.4

Overall Length, in.	180.5	181.3

Overall Width, in.	66.8	66.8

Overall Height, in.	54.1	58.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	2656	3020

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	11.3	60.7

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.2	13.2

Seating Capacity	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.8	38.8

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.2	43.2

Rear Head Room, in.	36.7	37.2

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.6	36.6

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc I4	sohc I4	Turbocharged dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.0 /122	2.4 /145	2.0 /122

Horsepower @ rpm.	120 @ 5500	162 @ 5750	271 @ 6500

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	130 @ 4250	162 @ 4000	273 @ 3500

Availability	Standard	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	26/33	23/29	18/26

4-speed automatic	24/31	22/28	--/--

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Mitsubishi Lancer 4-door sedan	Mitsubishi Lancer 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	4	NA

Front Impact, Passenger	4	NA

Rollover Resistance	4	NA

Side Impact, Driver	2	NA

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4	NA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	10/100,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	5/60,000	On cars purchased after July 1, 2004

Corrosion	7/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Japan

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

Tester's Comments

(what's this?)

Vehicle Evaluated: 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
Trim Level: Ralliart
Arrival Date: 02/12/2004
Engine: sohc I4
Bodystyle: 4-door sedan
Transmission: 5-speed manual
4WD/AWD: No
Base Price: $17,997
Price as Tested: $19,972
Mileage at Beginning of Test: 3262
Mileage at End of Test: 4039
Total Measured Miles:
Total Fuel Used: 32.175 gals.

Major Options: Sun and Sound Pkg. (Power Sunroof, 315 Watt Mitsubishi/Infiniti(R) AM/FM/CD Player with 8-inch Subwoofer with Enclosure)

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 24.15 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Kirk Bell This is a fun little pocket rocket that is probably too unrefined for the mass market. At $19,000-plus for our test car I'd have to go with a more refined Mazda3 or the better sorted Focus SVT.

Rick Cotta Not cheap at $18,000, but that's fairly well equipped, missing only leather upholstery--which isn't offered. Still, that's only $800 more than a Civic EX, making the Ralliart the only Lancer that really gives cause to buy a Mitsu over the Honda--which I most certainly would.

Tom Appel I wish I had had a car like this in high school. Just enough power to be fun, and more than enough agility to stay out of trouble. Starting at $18,000, we could easily give this car a value rating of 7.

< 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Photos

Also in the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Review:

Mitsubishi Lancer

Mitsubishi Lancer Road Test

Mitsubishi Lancer Prices & Equipment

Mitsubishi Lancer Specs & Safety

Mitsubishi Lancer Photos

Mitsubishi Lancer Full Review

All Mitsubishi Lancers

All Mitsubishis

Car Buying Resources