The closest rival to the Lancer is probably the Subaru Impreza.
Newly refreshed for 2012, the Impreza adds a CVT for highway mileage up to 36 mpg, and its design and interior have been further improved.
Also, the Impreza offers all-wheel drive, even in its base form, while the Lancer comes with just front-wheel drive.
The Honda Civic used to be more of a direct rival, but for 2012 it's been redesigned and cast as a more comfort-oriented model, with a little less driving personality.
Nissan’s Sentra, in base form, comes more nicely equipped than the Lancer, and though its interior is better appointed, it doesn’t feel as sporty and inviting as that of the Lancer.
In SE-R Spec V performance guise, it’s a viable front-wheel-drive rival to the GTS.
The 2012 VW Jetta is another alternative; its torquey five-cylinder engine stands out against the lesser Lancer models, and the VW offers more safety features and a somewhat brighter, more contemporary-looking interior.
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 2012 Mitsubishi LancerBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Honda CivicBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Nissan SentraBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Subaru ImprezaBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||
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The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer family has a little more panache than most compacts, but it's missing some of the finer details. |
The 2012 Honda Civic is a little more spacious, comfortable, and economical, but it's now one of the blandest of the bunch. |
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. |
Crisply restyled, with higher gas mileage, more space inside, a nicer interior, and all-wheel drive standard, the 2012 Subaru Impreza is a newly compelling compact alternative. |
| MSRP From | |||
| $15,695 | $15,755 | $16,430 | $17,495 |
| Gas Mileage | |||
| 17 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 44 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||
| Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas I4 | Gas Flat 4 |
| EPA Class | |||
| Compact | Compact | Compact | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||
| 4-Door Sedan Manual ES FWD | 2-Door Manual DX | 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual 2.0 | 4-Door Manual 2.0i |
| Drivetrain | |||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||
| 4 Door Sedan | 2 Door Coupe | 4 Door Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||
| Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||
| 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer vs. 2012 Honda Civic | 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer vs. 2012 Nissan Sentra | 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer vs. 2012 Subaru Impreza | |
