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2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Quality Review

June 27, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Trimmed in plastics and surfaces of appropriate quality
Motor Trend

Taller folks are likely to want more head clearance
ConsumerGuide

Cabin falls sort of the category's best in terms of richness and refinement
Kelley Blue Book

Reviewers found that the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer’s compact dimensions belied a spacious interior, but that its bargain price tag led to inevitable trade-offs in materials.

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer offers seating room for five in its redesigned cabin, and it makes good use of its available space. Up front, Consumer Guide finds that "leg space is sufficient for six-footers, but taller folks are likely to want more head clearance." Reviewers at Cars.com felt that those front seats "are comfortable and keep occupants firmly in place," though ConsumerGuide warns that the standard seats on the DE and ES trims "are unexceptional for shape and support." In the back, The Auto Channel writes that "rear space is good for the car's size," a sentiment affirmed by Edmunds, which says, "the Lancer's interior is spacious, particularly in the rear seating area."

An added benefit of the spacious interior is that it provides decent amounts of cargo and storage space on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. The Auto Channel reviewers find that "there are useful storage spaces in the doors, console, and glove box"; they do warn that for the Lancer, 2008 brings an optional subwoofer that can "take up some trunk space," though the "trunk is large enough so that will not present any major compromise." ConsumerGuide is slightly more critical, claiming that the trunk "lack[s] height for taller cargo, as does the trunk opening," although they approve of the "useful cabin storage" that "includes large front-door map pockets with bottle holders."

One potential sore spot on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer is cabin build and materials quality. Some reviews read by TheCarConnection.com lamented the interior materials and some of the "cheap elements, like the grab handles on the doors and the trip computer button beside the gauges," as Cars.com reviewers did. Others, however, sided with Motor Trend, which points out that the cabin "appears well assembled, and is trimmed in plastics and surfaces of appropriate quality," which makes the Mitsubishi Lancer "at least competitive" with its rivals. Kelley Blue Book reviewers feel that the "otherwise attractive passenger cabin falls short" of the Mitsubishi Lancer's main competitors. Coming down particularly harshly on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer is The Detroit News, which writes that the knobs and switches feel "like they might snap off" if they are "pushed or twisted too hard."

In terms of road noise, the Mitsubishi Lancer 2008 version is rather unremarkable. ConsumerGuide feels that the "wind noise is well-checked, but coarse-surface tire thrum is fairly high in all models" and the "crude engine note is a sore point." Kelley Blue Book adds that the ES model and its base setup offer a "less noisy--but still not quiet--ride."

Conclusion

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer has good interior room, but some finishes inside are less than stellar.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Trimmed in plastics and surfaces of appropriate qualityMotor TrendTaller folks are likely to want more head clearanceConsumerGuideCabin falls sort of the category's best in terms of richness and refinementKelley Blue Book Reviewers found that the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer’s compact dimensions belied a spacious interior, but that its bargain price tag led to inevitable trade-offs in materials. The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer offers seating room for five in its redesigned cabin, and it makes good use of its available space. Up front, Consumer Guide finds that "leg space is sufficient for six-footers, but taller folks are likely to want more head clearance." Reviewers at Cars.com felt that those front seats "are comfortable and keep occupants firmly in place," though ConsumerGuide warns that the standard seats on the DE and ES trims "are unexceptional for shape and support." In the back, The Auto Channel writes that "rear space is good for the car's size," a sentiment affirmed by Edmunds, which says, "the Lancer's interior is spacious, particularly in the rear seating area." An added benefit of the spacious interior is that it provides decent amounts of cargo and storage space on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer. The Auto Channel reviewers find that "there are useful storage spaces in the doors, console, and glove box"; they do warn that for the Lancer, 2008 brings an optional subwoofer that can "take up some trunk space," though the "trunk is large enough so that will not present any major compromise." ConsumerGuide is slightly more critical, claiming that the trunk "lack[s] height for taller cargo, as does the trunk opening," although they approve of the "useful cabin storage" that "includes large front-door map pockets with bottle holders." One potential sore spot on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer is cabin build and materials quality. Some reviews read by TheCarConnection.com lamented the interior materials and some of the "cheap elements, like the grab handles on the doors and the trip computer button beside the gauges," as Cars.com reviewers did. Others, however, sided with Motor Trend, which points out that the cabin "appears well assembled, and is trimmed in plastics and surfaces of appropriate quality," which makes the Mitsubishi Lancer "at least competitive" with its rivals. Kelley Blue Book reviewers feel that the "otherwise attractive passenger cabin falls short" of the Mitsubishi Lancer's main competitors. Coming down particularly harshly on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer is The Detroit News, which writes that the knobs and switches feel "like they might snap off" if they are "pushed or twisted too hard." In terms of road noise, the Mitsubishi Lancer 2008 version is rather unremarkable. ConsumerGuide feels that the "wind noise is well-checked, but coarse-surface tire thrum is fairly high in all models" and the "crude engine note is a sore point." Kelley Blue Book adds that the ES model and its base setup offer a "less noisy--but still not quiet--ride." ConclusionThe 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer has good interior room, but some finishes inside are less than stellar.  2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER STYLING | [8 out of 10] Cars.com: "Had plenty of heads turning in its direction" Motor Trend: "An aggressive face and Volvo-ish profile" Car and Driver: "Chic and truly spacious interior" The Mitsubishi Lancer has emerged from a recent redesign with a nicely ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Lancer buyers are likely looking for a small sport sedan, but on a very tight budget. The Sentra is one of the cheapest ones; although it starts substantially higher than the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, the base Sentra S comes a lot better equipped, with a six-speed manual, anti-lock brakes, and conveniences like steering-wheel controls, air conditioning, and keyless entry. But the Sentra's interior doesn't feel as inviting and sporty as the Lancer's. The Honda Civic is also a bit more expensive, but it includes a much more refined, more rev-happy, and more fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, along with an equally slick-shifting manual transmission. The base Jetta is another alternative; it also comes with a long list of standard features, and it stands out for its torquey five-cylinder engine, available electronic stability control, and rear side airbags. The Impreza is another sporty sedan that might be considered; it isn't quite as fuel-efficient as the Civic or Sentra especially, but its torquey flat-four engine provides good performance, and it comes standard with all-wheel drive.

Next Steps:

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See the Mitsubishi Lancer in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

Comments (2 total)

  1. By lewis cowie #1, Posted: 7/4/2008

    nice ride

    i love evos

  2. By Alicia #2, Posted: 11/30/2008

    In love!

    I have a 2008 Lancer and I love it!

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