Picture Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportback | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
 Click Image to Enlarge |
The Lancer Ralliart, for those not familiar, is essentially a de-tuned Evolution, which competes with the STi from Subaru. The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart starts at $33,498, the Subaru WRX at $31,895 and the WRX265 at $34,895 — somewhat convenient that those prices line up so well.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
My tester is optioned with the only available option package, called the “Premium Package,” which adds quite the hefty sum to the price of the vehicle: $5000. The package does add a lot of content, though, including: a 30GB HDD navigation system with music server, a DVD player capable of playing movies when parked, a power glass sunroof, leather / fabric Recaro seats, FAST key system, bluetooth connectivity for your cellphone, automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers.
The standard Lancer Ralliart package includes a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine outputting 237hp and 253-lb/ft of torque. Power is driven to the wheels through the standard Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission, Mitsubishi’s computerized dual-clutch manual, similar to that in the Nissan GT-R and the Volkswagen group’s DSG transmission.
And, of course, it may be difficult to tell from the photos, but the Sportback is a 5-door configuration, or what some like to call a wagon. Love it or hate it, it’s practical and we can even consider this a hot hatch!
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart
MSRP as tested (including destination): $40,058
For more information on Mitsubishi and the Lancer visit Mitsubishi Canada
 Click Image to Enlarge |
I don’t think it is the interior, but this isn’t the best interior of all time, except for maybe the Recaro seats, which are phenomenal. Large buttocks need not apply, though. Seriously, if you are in any way “big-boned,” you will not fit in these seats; they hug you tightly. And be careful when entering the car, because one false move and you’ll have a sore backside when you sit on the bolster as you get in.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
For a $40,000 vehicle, the interior really falls apart for me, with hard surfaces everywhere, a flimsy centre console / armrest and no telescopic steering. The seats, also, have manual adjustments, not electric (I can forgive this as a weight savings measure, though). The sunvisors have to be made of cardboard, as they weigh nothing and feel cheap and flimsy, and the plastic clips that hold them in place seem a little thin, and looks like it will break if you’re not careful about detaching or reattaching the visor.
The upgraded stereo system with navigation and DVD is, unfortunately, feels very aftermarket. With buttons, and not knobs, the entire system seems like an afterthought or built separately from the car. While most other systems are well-integrated and feel as though they belong, this system does not.
The paddle shifters, the seats, the gauges and the carbon fiber trim pieces are the only real saving graces in an interior that is rather average otherwise.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
You feel the turbo-spool, the power delivery comes swift and promptly after 1500-2000rpm and you zip into traffic. The computer shifts the gears for you, and one through six seem to fly by without the driver even noticing. It does become a little intoxicating, as the crawls away slowly from a stop, then, whoosh! you’re going 80km/h all of a sudden!
 Click Image to Enlarge |
It sport mode, the shifts are quicker, more abrupt and the transmission will hold gears until you get off the gas or you hit redline. The programming senses how you are driving and will shift appropriately, but it will hold gears even at a slow pace to well over 4,000 rpm.
The AWD system — All Wheel Control (or AWC) — has three modes: Tarmac, Gravel and Snow. This is a computerized differential that transfers power and uses sensors in the steering as well as momentum / yaw control sensors to determine where the power should be headed. It works wonders but tends to kill all the fun if you get too sideways — though that is perhaps a good thing for most of us.
The Lancer does feel fairly light on its feet, as did the EVO. Despite being much heavier than the Subaru STi, it feels lighter when driven aggressively. What I would like to eliminate, or at least tame, is the road and engine noise. They are fairly abundant, which is great if you are out there ripping up the track, but not so great on the highway when you would like to relax.
 Click Image to Enlarge |
Fuel consumption of 11L/100km isn’t stellar for a small car with a small engine — that is for sure — and the gas gauge was a little disconcerting, too: I remember looking at it Wednesday, when it was only down a quarter tank, but when I looked again on Thursday it was nearly empty! According to the on-board computer, I had traveled 300km and had only 100km worth of fuel left.
For my dollars, though, the Subaru WRX265, for $1,000 more — or even a regular WRX — would get my vote. The Ralliart is fun but a little noisy, and for many enthusiast the lack of true manual could be a detriment.
*Rating out of 5:
| 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart | |
| Acceleration | 
|
| Handling |
|
| Comfort | |
| Interior | 
|
| Audio System |  |
| Gas Mileage | |
*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart
MSRP as tested (including destination): $40,058
For more information on Mitsubishi and the Lancer visit Mitsubishi Canada
July 08, 2009, 07:39:37 pm I am waiting for the driving impressions.
Did spend a good 20 minutes testing the RalliArt sedan a while, thought it was a nice & comfort package, with a bit of a good. As for flat out sportiness, leave that to the EVO.
July 08, 2009, 10:50:51 pm I think this would be a fun car to drive.. Interior looks bloated tho (how that swooping curve across the dash seem to take up more space than necessary) and simiply does not do it for me.. Seats a nice touch tho..
July 09, 2009, 12:21:39 am Totally piece of crap for 40K, this is insane!
July 09, 2009, 12:30:15 am The manual seat adjustment doesn't bother me one iota. Lighter, cheaper, and allows for more foot-room under the seats.
But the lack of a telescoping steering wheel in a car this price is crazy. Part of a good performance car is making sure it fits the driver ergonomically, right? It's hard to really push a car if the wheel is too close or too far away, no?
July 09, 2009, 12:37:06 am
Your GTI also has FWD. The MkV Golf R32, with its 4Motion system taking up part of the cargo area, has 9.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
July 09, 2009, 02:41:31 am interesting review of the navigation system!
According to JD POWER however
"The Mitsubishi Electric Navigation System Supplied to the Mitsubishi Lancer
Ranks Highest among Factory-Installed Navigation Systems (2008)"
July 09, 2009, 07:20:50 am
Your GTI also has FWD. The MkV Golf R32, with its 4Motion system taking up part of the cargo area, has 9.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
And the WRX has 19 cubic feet AND AWD .
I guess I expected more from the Mitsu based on the admittedly cool commercial where they throw all their gear out the window toland in the hatch. From the look of the hatch it appears cavernous in there but really its not
July 09, 2009, 08:00:27 am
According to JD POWER however
"The Mitsubishi Electric Navigation System Supplied to the Mitsubishi Lancer
Ranks Highest among Factory-Installed Navigation Systems (2008)"
That is interesting, I noticed another annoying thing today. The display is not inset into the dash at all and cannot be seen when it is sunny (it was raining the past few days).
July 09, 2009, 03:11:52 pm
I guess I expected more from the Mitsu based on the admittedly cool commercial where they throw all their gear out the window toland in the hatch. From the look of the hatch it appears cavernous in there but really its not
I really think the WRX265 blows the Lancer out of the water. More power, real transmission, more practical... how do the AWD systems compare between the two? Is either one "better"?
July 09, 2009, 04:25:30 pm
x2
Details on that please.
July 10, 2009, 09:15:55 am WHat does it rev on the highway? Curious if they geared it short. Tire and road noise on these type of cars is bad enough but buzzing engine would be a killer.
July 10, 2009, 09:18:30 am Buzzing engine it has 3000rpm at 120
July 10, 2009, 08:47:03 pm
So its noisy at that RPM? Interesting. My GTI does 2900 at 120 and to be honest I don't even notice the engine. The tire and road noise is much more noticable. 3000 isn't horrible. My V50 2.4 wagon turned 3100 RPM. Its all about tone and feel of the engine I guess.
I really don't understand why they don't make 6th longer in these cars. 2500 RPM they still make plenty of power to climb a hill. So what if it drops an extra 500 rpm on upshift. If you redline in 5th you are WAYYYY over any legal limit in US or canada. Why do they do this?
Drover 500KM today and GTI didn't downshift once on the highway 120 steady up every hill you can imagine. Dropping tose extra rpms would alos give you some extar gas mileage. What is the rational?
July 11, 2009, 03:43:56 pm Wing, sure its the tranny not letting the turbos spool up from idle and not just good old fashioned turbo lag?
July 11, 2009, 04:31:00 pm Yes it is turbo lag, but a manual car would let you rev and dump which you can't really do with this transmission.
July 12, 2009, 04:52:39 am Personally i really like the styling and the versatility of the hatch. As far as the interior is concerned..not much of a Mitsu fan...cheap looking plastics. I havn't seen anyone drive this car in Vancouver....yet. For less money and still good performance..i'd get the 2010 Mazda3 sport. Handsome styling both inside and out. The benchmark in which all others are measured.ZOOM ZOOM!
July 12, 2009, 05:16:33 am
Because nothing says "compare me" like a 167 horsepower, naturally-aspirated FWD car and a 237 horsepower, turbocharged, AWD car.
July 12, 2009, 10:25:40 am Mitlov don't you know that cars are bought on the "how cool will I look" factor?
July 12, 2009, 11:05:16 am
The Mazda3 competes with the regular Lancer, not the Lancer Ralliart. The Mazdaspeed3 competes against the Ralliart, but it doesn't have AWD. Frankly, I think the WRX265 beats both out: lots of power going to all four wheels = win.
July 12, 2009, 03:19:50 pm Well...the Mazda3 Speed3 is still a great performer(minus AWD) and yet cheaper than WRX265. There are no options for the Speed3..at least for the 2008 model. For around 32k it's a great choice.
July 12, 2009, 04:31:34 pm they need more turbo charged coupes back not family wagons. Anyway my RSX interior looks ten times better than some $40-$50000 cars and mine has an aftermarket turbo system and is fast
July 12, 2009, 05:13:47 pm Rather interesting. Has few times re-read for this purpose to remember. Thanks for interesting article. Waiting for trackback
July 13, 2009, 07:02:21 am Drove both the Mitsu Ralliart sedan (Sportback not available yet in my area) and the Subie WRX. To me, the interiors were at the same level of refinement, and the noise levels seemed to be the same as well. Granted, the Sportback may have a different (louder) interior sound than it’s sedan cousin due to the cargo hold shape. The Subie is bit faster and a bit roomier but it is damn ugly. You can have that ugly. I’ll take the better look of the Mitsu along with the sophisticated transmission. And yes, I agree that the MazdaSpeed3 is the better car in perfect conditions. I live in the real world.
July 13, 2009, 11:51:48 pm Personally I don't think the 265 or the STi in white is ugly at all, I think it looks purposeful.
July 13, 2009, 11:53:35 pm
Agreed. Sti+White+Gold Rims= Just cool enough....