2012 Mitsubishi Lancer vs 2012 Nissan Sentra

2012 Mitsubishi Lancer

2012 Nissan Sentra

Select style

4-Door Sedan CVT ES FWD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Lancer 4-Door Sedan CVT ES FWD	26	34	$17,139	$17,895
Lancer 4-Door Sedan CVT GT FWD	23	30	$19,965	$20,845
Lancer 4-Door Sedan CVT SE AWD	22	29	$19,342	$20,195
Lancer 4-Door Sedan Manual DE FWD	25	34	$15,032	$15,695
Lancer 4-Door Sedan Manual ES FWD	25	34	$16,277	$16,995
Lancer 4-Door Sedan Manual GT FWD	22	31	$19,007	$19,845
Lancer 4-Door Sedan TC-SST Ralliart AWD	18	25	$26,813	$27,995
Lancer Evolution 4-Door Sedan Manual GSR	17	22	$33,038	$34,495
Lancer Evolution 4-Door Sedan TC-SST MR	17	23	$36,104	$37,695
Lancer Sportback 5-Door Sportback ES FWD	24	32	$17,618	$18,395
Lancer Sportback 5-Door Sportback GT FWD	22	29	$20,444	$21,345

Select style

4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0	27	34	$16,888	$17,610
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 S	27	34	$17,125	$18,360
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 SL	27	34	$18,428	$19,760
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT 2.0 SR	27	34	$17,125	$18,360
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 CVT SE-R	24	30	$19,107	$20,490
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.0	24	31	$15,759	$16,430
Sentra 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual SE-R Spec V	21	28	$19,571	$20,990

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$17,139

$16,888

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$17,895

$17,610

Monthly Payment Estimate

$298 / month

$294 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.8

Read Our Full Review

6.6

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer family has a little more panache than most compacts, but it's missing some of the finer details.

The 2012 Nissan Sentra no longer looks fresh, but especially in base 2.0 form or SE-R Spec V guise it represents a strong value for the money with a roomy, comfortable interior.

TCC Likes

Excellent steering and handling
Supportive front seats
GT has Evo looks, but not Evo price

Comfortable, quiet ride
Well-designed seating
Value for money

TCC Dislikes

Road and engine noise
Hard cabin plastics
Gas mileage lower than some mid-sizers

Dowdy styling
Sedan-only bodystyle
Bluetooth only paired with CVT

Fuel Economy

City

26 mpg

27 mpg

Highway

34 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in)

36.9

37.3

Second Shoulder Room (in)

54.3

55.1

Front Leg Room (in)

42.3

42.4

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

53.3

54.1

Second Leg Room (in)

36.1

34.5

Front Head Room (in)

39.6

40.6

Second Hip Room (in)

54.1

53.0

Front Shoulder Room (in)

54.7

56.9

Passenger Volume (ft³)

93.0

97.4

Exterior Dimensions

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.5

5.6

Length, Overall (in)

180.0

179.8

Height, Overall (in)

58.7

59.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.2

60.8

Wheelbase (in)

103.7

105.7

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

28.1

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

69.4

70.5

Track Width, Front (in)

60.2

59.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

12.3

13.1

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

8.0 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Power

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

8.0 x - TBD -

9.0 x - TBD -

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.9 x - TBD -

11.02 x 0.94

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

15.6

14.5

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

32.8

35.4

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.09

2.9

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

14.9

16.4

Tires

Front Tire Size

P205/60R16

P205/60HR15

Spare Tire Size

Compact

T125/70D16

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P205/60R16

P205/60HR15

Rear Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

100

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

1000

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2932

2975

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

16 x - TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Steel

Rear Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

15 x 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Steel

Spare Wheel Material

- TBD -

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

15 x 6.5

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

2.1

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

130

100

Engine

Displacement

2.0L/122

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

152 @ 6000

140 @ 5100

Engine Type

Gas I4

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

146 @ 4250

147 @ 4800

Engine Order Code

4B11

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

1.75

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

5.41

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont.

Continuously variable ratio

CVT

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

2.35 - 0.52

2.35 - 0.39

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

Summary

Body Style

4 Door Sedan

Vehicle Name

Mitsubishi Lancer

Nissan Sentra

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

0.79

0.91

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Torsion Beam

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Independent Strut

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.87

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

6.5

6.2

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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