2011 Mitsubishi Lancer

The latest Mitsubishi Lancer starts at $15,755 for the value-minded DE model. Air conditioning, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and power door locks are optional on the DE.

The Mitsubishi Lancer GTS also comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, front and side air dams, fog lights, a rear spoiler, and a chrome tailpipe tip. Shift paddles, automatic climate control, sport bucket seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, and a 6-speaker audio system come standard.
A 650-watt audio system, Sirius satellite radio, and a navigation system are optional on all models.

Mitsubishi Lancer Standard safety features dual front airbags, a driver's side knee airbag, seat-mounted side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, and a tire pressure monitor.
For 2011, Mitsubishi has expanded the five-door hatchback body style, so that it's now also offered in ES trim, in addition to the Mitsubishi Lancer GTS and Ralliart models offered last year.

The "Mitsubishi Lancer" is chunky but low and lean, with a high beltline, a nicely proportioned small sedan or Sportback hatch. The mid-level Mitsubishi Lancer ES gets color-keyed door handles and mirrors, but it's the larger wheels of GTS models that especially serve to fill out those proportions and help the design pop.

Mitsubishi Lancer Sporty GTS models step up to a 168-horsepower, 2.4-liter four, and CVT versions receive magnesium steering-wheel paddle-shifters with six simulated gears to suit high-performance driving. While DE and ES models are strictly cheap wheels—and they handle reasonably well though not with much verve—the Mitsubishi Lancer GTS has slightly higher aspirations. On any of these models, noise and ride comfort could be deal-breakers. A USB port is now also included in GTS models.

Options on the "Mitsubishi Lancer" are limited to alloy wheels and a Deluxe Package on the ES (including the FUSE system, a USB port, sunroof, and leather-wrapped steering wheel
The Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart bears some resemblance to the high-power Lancer Evolution and features a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, Mitsubishi's twin-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive.

The Lancer's four-cylinder engines are more efficient for 2011, Mitsubishi says, partly because the DE and ES models gain electric power steering that reduces drag on the engine.

Air conditioning is optional for the base DE Lancer. USB port (standard on GTS and Ralliart, optional on ES)

The Mitsubishi Lancer is available with a variety of engine and transmission choices. The Ralliart has all-wheel drive, and other Mitsubishi Lancer sedans come with front-wheel drive. 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine on DE and ES makes 152 horsepower (143 hp in California) with either a standard five-speed manual or optional (ES) continuously variable automatic