2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Review The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer, an ace Mitsubishi sports sedan, available in DE, ES, ES Sport, GTS and the all new Ralliart trims, gets a new standard 2.4-liter 168-horsepower four-cylinder engine on the GTS along with some new features. The Lancer has four different four-cylinder engines, ranging from 152 to 291 horsepower in the turbo 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. With the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer, Mitsubishi has covered everyone in the compact class with the 152-hp Mitsubishi Lancer ES for those with focusing on economy; the 168-hp Mitsubishi Lancer GTS for those who seek value; the 237-hp Mitsubishi Ralliart for adventure enthusiasts; and the 291-hp Mitsubishi Lancer Evo for those with a need for speed. The Lancer trims were completely re-engineered and redesigned for 2008 featuring an aggressive front fascia and a wedgy profile.
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Model lineup and options The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer lineup spans five trims spread over four levels of performance. Lancer DE and ES come with a 2-liter engine rated at 152 horsepower attached to a five-speed manual transmission with standard equipment including a 140-watt, four-speaker MP3 sound system and steel wheels with wheel covers. The optional features are the air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, power locks, and remote entry. 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer ES comes equipped with standard features like the air conditioning, cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls, 60/40-split folding rear seatback with folding center armrest, front map lights, floor mats, the auto-up driver-side window, premium fabric upholstery, silver interior accents, power door locks with keyless remote, six-way adjustable driver seat, body-color outside mirror housings and door handles, second power point, anti-theft security alarm and steering wheel-mounted redundant audio controls and pre-wired Bluetooth switch. Aluminum alloy wheels are standard, and the rear suspension gets a stabilizer bar. The Sun & Sound package is available with a 650-watt, nine-speaker, Rockford-Fosgate premium audio system; a six-month, pre-paid Sirius satellite radio subscription; a six-disc in-dash CD/MP3 changer; an auxiliary audio input jack; and a power, tilt-and-slide, glass sunroof. Fog lights are sold by dealers. A Sport package is optional. 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS is equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder rated at 168 horsepower and mated to either the 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional new CVT automatic (Continuously Variable Transmission) employing Sportronic manual shifting with steering-wheel paddles. The six-speaker sound system and sport bucket seats are standard. The sport-tuned suspension is tied to pretty 18-inch alloy wheels.		Get AutoUSA Internet Prices on this Lancer

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart generates 237 horsepower from a 2.0-liter intercooled turbocharged engine with the suspension and brakes upgraded from the GTS. It utilizes just one transmission, a new six-speed twin-clutch automated manual called the TC-SST, with Normal and Sport modes. Automatic climate control, sport bucket seats with unique fabric surfaces, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are standard

Six-speaker audio, aero package with front air dam, lower side air dams and rear spoiler, factory-installed fog lights, 215/45R/18 tires on alloy wheels are the standard features. Options include the Sun & Sound packages. The Navigation & Technology package comes with a GPS-based navigation system storing mapping data on a 30GB hard disk drive (with 6GB set aside for personally recorded audio files).

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, a separate model, is available in two versions, the GSR and the mighty MR. The GSR is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission while the MR features a computer-shifted six-speed manual, BBS forged alloy wheels, Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, two-piece brake rotors (steel disc on aluminum hub for weight savings).

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Exterior and interior

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer may have a fish face (which the Mitsubishi claims shark-like) but it is a lovely car. The GTS is cleaner than the Ralliart, which outlines that mouth with a chrome ring, like silver lipstick on a fish. The Ralliart comes with a cool aluminum hood with an inset scoop for the turbo intercooler, and two functional vents that do resemble shark gills. The Ralliart also sports flared fenders that house low profile tires. The beautiful 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10-spoke wagon-wheel design, standard on the GTS and Ralliart, add a colorful touch to their class.

The angular taillamps are clear with the actual round lights, red, white, and amber, visible inside. The rear deck is quite short, and both the GTS and Ralliart have a big spoiler wing. The GTS has one chrome tailpipe, the Ralliart has two.

The silhouette is sharp, tidy and looks really nice in Graphite Gray Pearl and the Octane Blue Pearl catches the eye. Rotor Glow Metallic, a bright orange-ish copper, is the prettiest among all the colors with a creative name.

Inside, everything is good. The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer ES has a good rearward visibility. The sport bucket seats on the GTS, made of a handsome rugged cloth, are comfortable and afford an excellent seating position. The steering wheel is made up of one of the nicest leather and has the perfect size for sporty driving.

The optional Recaro seats in the Ralliart may seem tight for everyday comfort. However, the cubbies and console compartments are good and plentiful, including cupholders between the front seats and in the front door pockets.

The interior is stylish and has been cleanly done. Rear-seat room is sufficient. However, there is not much knee room in the rear seat. The fold-down, center armrest in the ES and GTS is more stable than it looks. In terms of roominess, the Lancer is comparable to that of the other cars in its class. Trunk space is also mid-pack.

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Driving impressions

The driving is smooth but varies a little bit due to their different performance characteristics. Fuel economy for the Lancer ES (decent steering response and tracks well through corners) is an EPA-estimated City/Highway 22/30 mpg with its 2.0-liter engine and five-speed manual. The automatic loses just one mile per gallon on the highway. However, the brake pedal feel is solid.

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS provides a compelling value for its balance of enjoyable driving characteristics and affordable pricing. It's smooth, spirited and sporty with a 2.4-liter engine mated to a manual transmission delivering an EPA-estimated 21/28 mpg City/Highway. The brakes are nicely sensitive, and the five-speed gearbox is positive, easy to shift with slick clutch action.

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart uses the newly introduced all-aluminum engine, 2.0 liters with intercooled turbocharging, like the Evo, but milder components keep the Ralliart at 237 horsepower, compared to the Evo's 291 horsepower. It has a choice of five-speed manual transmission or six-speed Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission.

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo (The Mitsubishi Evolution) is simply the best. The Evo X is about 320 pounds heavier and has 14 less horsepower than its main rival, the Subaru WRX STi, but feels more precise and more nimble, thanks to its 13:1 steering ratio compared to the STi's 15:1.

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo GSR, with the five-speed manual gearbox, is great. The Evo MR, with the paddle-shifting sequential manual six-speed, along with Bilstein shocks and lighter rotors is greater; and the super Evo is the greatest.

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Safety features

Front air bags, side airbags in front, side curtain air bags, a driver's knee air bag, and tire pressure monitor are standard. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution are also standard except the DE (Optional). Active Stability Control is not available on the DE and ES, is optional with the GTS, and standard on the Ralliart and Evo. Front seatbelts have pretensionsers and force limiters to help position users for maximum protection from airbags in crashes. Rear seats have child safety seat anchors and tethers (LATCH).