With its available all-wheel drive, the 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer compares most directly to the Subaru Impreza sedan.
That car also has a CVT, though its fuel efficiency is better--and both its design and its interior handily outdo the Lancer's, even though they're far from top of the class.
An all-new Honda Civic this year offers a racy fastback shape that makes the square-cut Lancer look old-fashioned, and the Civic's equipment, refinement, and fuel economy are far superior.
The older Nissan Sentra is a strong value, though it too suffers from a cheap interior--and it's generally bland.
The VW Jetta is now powered by a peppy 1.8-liter turbo engine, which keeps that aging compact sedan current along with its own updated interior.
And the Ford Focus handily beats the Lancer in just about every way, from style to interior quality, on-road refinement to standard and available features, albeit at somewhat higher price levels.
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 2016 Mitsubishi LancerBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Ford FocusBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Honda CivicBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Nissan SentraBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Subaru ImprezaBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Volkswagen JettaBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer shows its 10 years of age, with a noisy ride and a low-quality interior, which will limit shoppers' interest unless value for money trumps all. |
From efficiency-minded models to the high-performance ST, the 2016 Ford Focus remains one of the best-driving small cars on the market. |
The 2016 Honda Civic drops almost all the economy-car pretense; in Touring trim, it could easily wear a premium label. |
The 2016 Nissan Sentra is more compelling to value-seeking drivers than to enthusiasts. |
The 2016 Subaru Impreza is the compact car to choose when you require all-wheel drive for year-round traction but don't want or need the gas-mileage hit that comes with boxy SUVs and rugged trail ability. |
The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta has a nicer interior, more fuel-efficient engines, and should be safer, while retaining its huge interior and trunk, plus the response and roadholding that make it fun to drive. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $17,595 | $17,225 | $18,640 | $16,780 | $18,295 | $16,215 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 22 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy | 27 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 48 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded H-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Mid-Size Cars | Midsize Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door Sedan Manual ES FWD | 4-Door Sedan S | 4-Door Manual LX | 4-Door Sedan I4 Manual S | 4-Door Manual 2.0i | 4-Door Manual 2.0L Base |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer vs. 2016 Ford Focus | 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer vs. 2016 Honda Civic | 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer vs. 2016 Nissan Sentra | 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer vs. 2016 Subaru Impreza | 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer vs. 2015 Volkswagen Jetta | |
