By far, Lancer is Mitsubishi’s most successful vehicle. There are a lot of reasons why, the first being superb styling. It’s a great looking car,

The Lancer GTS is a great little compact... it looks good, has plenty of power and handles brilliantly. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

and that gets people into the showroom to learn about the competitive pricing, try out the top-level features and finally take one around the neighbourhood to experience the well sorted chassis. And what do you do if you’ve got a good thing going? Milk it for all it’s worth, of course.

And Mitsubishi has truly milked the Lancer, now with two body styles, the regular sedan and new Sportback model, and trim levels galore. There’s the base DE, the SE, the GTS, Ralliart, and Evolution, the latter in its tenth iteration, and therefore dubbed Evolution X, or as it’s often called, EVO X. And if you happened to have noticed that the GT model has been nixed from the list it’s because the new GT is merely an SE with the Sun & Sound Package.

The GTS, subject of this

Can the GTS go fast enough to take advantage of that big wing on the back? Hmmm... probably not but it looks great! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

review, sits right in the middle of the pack from a features and performance perspective. Its engine is a little more powerful than base, suspension slightly tweaked and tires and wheels larger and more sport-oriented. There are even a few cosmetic and aero upgrades to make it stand out from the pack.

To be specific, GTS’ styling mods include four attractive ten-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/45R18 all-season tires, as well as a racy rear deck lid spoiler to complement the chrome grille insert, front air dam, fog lamps, and exhaust finisher that carryover from the lesser SE, and that’s just on the outside. On the inside, a special hydrographic instrument panel and door accents are added, as are

The Lancer interior looks nice, but the plastics and switchgear aren't as upscale as many of its rivals. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

chrome interior door handles, high-contrast gauges and a colour LCD multi-information display, both new for 2010, plus a leather-wrapped shift knob and, also new for 2010, a leather parking brake handle. Of course the latter two feel better as well as look better, and the larger wheels and tires also result in superior handling, enhanced by a sport-tuned suspension integrating a front strut tower brace. The aforementioned multi-information display shows audio system information and along with being better looking than the stock monotone display accesses good thanks to six speakers, Sirius satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity. Automatic climate control is also included in the GTS upgrade, with new for 2010 chrome dial accents.

I probably should

Great seats! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

mention some of the other features that come with this GTS as carryover from lesser models, such as auto-on-off headlamps, variable intermittent wipers, powered and heated mirrors, powered locks with remote access and powered windows. Tilt steering is also included, as is a six-way adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split-folding second-row seat with centre armrest, heated seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary input jack, a rear stabilizer bar and an anti-theft alarm.

All 2010 Lancers now get standard anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution,

Audio system interface is merely ok, but the sound is good. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

auto-up driver's window, electronic stability control, a driver's knee airbag enhancing a full assortment of airbags that came with last year’s car, active front head restraints, a tire pressure monitoring system, and other non-safety features such as an odour-reducing headliner, a short-pole antenna, improved windshield washer function, solar UV control front glass, and a deep side rocker panel cover. You can also option your GTS out with a Rockford Fosgate audio upgrade boasting 710 watts of power! Yeah, it’s worth the money.

While the base DE model and SE get Mitsubishi’s 152 horsepower 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder with 146 lb-ft of torque driving the front wheels via a five-speed manual or optional CVT, the GTS

Superb rear seat spaciousness. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

I tested came with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder sporting 168 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 167 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm. The GTS gets a five-speed manual too, while the optional CVT gets a six-step manual shifting upgrade.

The upgraded GTS engine gets the Lancer up and at ‘em with plenty of zip, and the Lancer isn’t exactly a lightweight at 1,365 kilos (3,010 lbs), at least compared to some of its compact competitors. Still, through the corners its nimbler than most of its rivals, pulling inspiration from its rally-bred EVO X sibling. No, I’m not going to say it’s as unfathomably brilliant as the EVO, or even the Ralliart, which is finally one of the best performers in its class, but the GTS is especially good in its segment,

Great handling, the Lancer GTS and it's 18-inch rims are in a compact sedan class of few. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

even allowing a little rear wheel drift when pushed beyond its tires adhesive limitations. Try that in just about any rival and you’ll find it near impossible.

But even when not pushed as hard the Lancer GTS has an ease about its operation that’s welcoming, with easy to read gauges, simple audio and climate controls, plus thoroughly comfortable and supportive seats, and the rear seats are wonderfully accommodating too, at least for the compact class. Sure the plastics are a bit on the cheap side, but the car’s other attributes are so good it’s easy to overlook. And I’m not just talking about the trunk’s 348-litre (12.3-cubic-foot) capacity and 60/40-split rear seat area access.

Its commodious

Sweet styling... the current generation Lancer's phenomenal success is mostly due to styling. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

interior has everything to do with its slightly larger than compact measurements; 4,570 millimeters (179.9 inches) long with a 2635-mm (103.7-inch) wheelbase, 1,760-mm (69.2-inch) width and 1,490-mm (58.6-inch) height.

GTS fuel economy is good at 10.4 L/100km in the city and 7.4 on the highway with the manual and slightly better at 9.6 L/100km and 7.1 respectively with the CVT. If fuel-efficiency matters more than performance for you, the 2.0-litre engine gets 9.4 L/100km in the city and 6.5 on the highway with the manual or 9.0 and 6.5 respectively with the CVT. And that’s regular fuel too, saving money at the pump.

Mitsubishi’s

Few compacts in the same price range have anywhere near the flair of the Lancer GTS. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

warranty is a strong selling point, being that the powertrain is covered for an industry-leading 10 years or 160,000 km, whichever comes first. The rest of the car gets a limited 5-year or 100,000-km warranty.

And that should seal the deal for those unsure about buying a Lancer. Truly, if you want a good car that’s a ton of fun to drive, not to mention oozing with style and filled with features for only $23,598 plus $1,600 for freight and pre-delivery inspection, look no further than the Lancer GTS.

Interior

Exterior

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