Mistubishi Lancer 2011 – A Review

Another trip provided the opportunity to test drive another popular Australian family car, the Mitsubishi Lancer ES sedan (base model). 

The Mitsubishi Lancer I drove came with a 2.0 litre engine and a six speed CVT transmission.

According to Mitsubishi the engine produces 113kw @ 6,000rpm and 198Nm @ 4,250.  Fuel economy quoted by the company was 7.6/8.2 and while I didn’t take accurate measurements it would seem I averaged the much better figures of around 9kms per litre due in part to the fact that I was doing largely country driving.

Safety features common across the range include:

• Active Stability Control
• Active Traction Control
• Airbags both front, rear, side and curtain

Standard features include:

• Cruise control
• Power windows
• Air-conditioning
• 4 speakers

On first impressions the Mitsubishi Lancer looks good in a unique way.  Being the base model the interior was not awe inspiring but the seats were comfortable with a good driving position.  Gauges and instruments are laid out quite well although, maybe call me a traditionalist, the fact that you had to scroll through to get engine temperature had me a little nervous particularly as I was going to be doing a lot of country driving in fairly hot conditions.

Needing to do a bit of long haul country driving on roads that are less than pristine I must admit that I was pessimistic that the little Lancer would perform.  However, once again I was wrong, the 2 litre engine and six speed semi-automatic gearbox did a more than adequate job of handling the hills and long stretches of road while the tyres and suspension absorbed most of the bumps in the roads.

The manual shift was good with quick changes – not as quick or smooth like those in my beloved GT – but good enough to allow some quick starts and to be able to drop down a gear during cornering or passing.

One small issue which applies to all Mitsubishi’s is that the manual changes are in my opinion the wrong way.  In the GT for instance you pull down to go up gears and push up to go down gears – this matches the direction of acceleration/deceleration.  On the Lancer this is reversed and I found it very strange but perhaps people prefer it this way.

The Lancer is roomy and has a very adequate boot which would be able to accommodate two large suitcases with some room to spare.  Rear seats are good although let’s remember this is a small car.

Overall I would recommend the Mitsubishi Lancer as being perfect as a second family car or a great run about for the city.

For further information:

www.mitsubishi.com.au

Tags: 2011, Lancer, Mitsubishi, Review

Category: Reviews