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2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Quality Review

June 17, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

rear space is good for the car's size
The Auto Channel

appears well assembled, and is trimmed in plastics and surfaces of appropriate quality
Motor Trend

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

The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer has good interior room, but some finishes inside are less than stellar.

Reviewers at Cars.com feel that the 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." ConsumerGuide finds that "leg space is sufficient for six-footers, but taller folks are likely to want more head clearance." In the back, The Auto Channel reports 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."

The efficient interior design of the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer also provides ample room for cargo and storage space. Reviewers at The Auto Channel cite "useful storage spaces in the doors, console, and glove box"; they do warn that for the Lancer, 2009 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."

When attention is focused on the quality of interior materials, some reviewers side with Motor Trend, which points out that the cabin "appears well assembled, and is trimmed in plastics and surfaces of appropriate quality," making 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. Other reviewers, such as those from Cars.com, lament the interior materials and some of the "cheap elements, like the grab handles on the doors and the trip computer button beside the gauges." Coming down particularly harshly on the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer is The Detroit News, which remarks that the knobs and switches feel "like they might snap off" if "pushed or twisted too hard."

In regard to road noise, the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer is unremarkable. ConsumerGuide feels "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 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer’s compact dimensions belie its spacious interior, but the bargain price tag shows in the materials.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:rear space is good for the car's sizeThe Auto Channelappears well assembled, and is trimmed in plastics and surfaces of appropriate qualityMotor TrendCabin falls sort of the category's best in terms of richness and refinementKelley Blue Book The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer has good interior room, but some finishes inside are less than stellar. Reviewers at Cars.com feel that the 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." ConsumerGuide finds that "leg space is sufficient for six-footers, but taller folks are likely to want more head clearance." In the back, The Auto Channel reports 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." The efficient interior design of the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer also provides ample room for cargo and storage space. Reviewers at The Auto Channel cite "useful storage spaces in the doors, console, and glove box"; they do warn that for the Lancer, 2009 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." When attention is focused on the quality of interior materials, some reviewers side with Motor Trend, which points out that the cabin "appears well assembled, and is trimmed in plastics and surfaces of appropriate quality," making 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. Other reviewers, such as those from Cars.com, lament the interior materials and some of the "cheap elements, like the grab handles on the doors and the trip computer button beside the gauges." Coming down particularly harshly on the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer is The Detroit News, which remarks that the knobs and switches feel "like they might snap off" if "pushed or twisted too hard." In regard to road noise, the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer is unremarkable. ConsumerGuide feels "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 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer’s compact dimensions belie its spacious interior, but the bargain price tag shows in the materials. 2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER STYLING | [8 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "Lancer ES projects a far more polished appearance” Edmunds: "dashboard is not nearly as exciting as the Lancer's sporty, shark-nosed exterior” Car and Driver: "Chic and truly spacious interior" The appeal of the 2009 ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The base Jetta comes with a long list of standard features and 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, but its torquey flat-four engine provides good performance, and it comes standard with all-wheel drive. The Sentra is one of the cheapest models; although it starts at a price substantially higher than the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer's, 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. However, 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. Each of these rivals is considerably quieter and more refined inside than the Lancer.

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See the Mitsubishi Lancer in Other Years:

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