2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Review

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, front and side driver impact; four stars, front and side passenger impact
NHTSA

Good, frontal offset
IIHS

Comes with a solid array of airbags
Edmunds

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer boasts a solid frame and all the expected safety features, which help make the Mitsubishi Lancer a safe choice for daily drivers.

In crash tests by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mitsubishi Lancer holds up well. The Auto Channel points out that the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer uses "Mitsubishi's Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) unibody construction to disperse impact energy," and it shows in crash-test results. After putting the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer through its full battery of tests, the NHTSA awarded it a full five stars for front and side impact driver protection, and four out of five stars for front and side impact passenger protection. IIHS tests affirm these results, as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety bestowed its highest rating, "good," on the Lancer 2008 for frontal offset collisions.

Drivers of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer can take comfort in more than just strong crash-test ratings; for the Lancer, 2008 brings a full complement of safety features. Edmunds writes that the 2008 Lancer features a "solid array of airbags, including front-seat side airbags, full-length head curtain airbags and a driver's knee airbag." Cars.com adds that "ABS is optional on the DE base trim and standard on the ES and GTS," a disparity that leads Kelley Blue Book to "recommend taking that step up" to the ES if you have the means.

One important safety characteristic that is hard to incorporate into crash-test ratings is driver visibility, and unfortunately, visibility from within the Mitsubishi Lancer isn't all that great. ConsumerGuide finds that "outward visibility aft and to the right-rear isn't great, and it's made worse by the available rear spoiler" on the GTS trim.

Conclusion

The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer performs well in crash tests, but base versions have optional anti-lock brakes.


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.

Read More About the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer:

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See the Mitsubishi Lancer in Other Years:

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

Comments (2 total)

  1. In love!

    By Alicia | Posted: Nov 30th 2008, 11:54:35 AM

    I have a 2008 Lancer and I love it!

  2. nice ride

    By lewis cowie | Posted: Jul 4th 2008, 11:47:28 AM

    i love evos

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