Overview & Reviews
For the most part, the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is identical to the Lancer sedan, which means aggressive, shark-nosed styling, agile handling and an ample amount of available features. Yet its hatchback body style lends an added degree of practicality thanks to the increased cargo capacity that comes with its extended roof line.
However, the Sportback also comes saddled with the Lancer's drawbacks that include subpar fuel economy, a general lack of refinement and a cabin that's rather plain and downmarket compared to what's seen in rival hatchbacks. Its many available luxury, convenience and electronics features that were once rare for the class are also increasingly par for the course. So while the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback can be an attractive, practical and enjoyable little runabout, we suggest that you consider other alternatives.
Current Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is offered in ES and GT trim levels. The base ES gets a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The sportier GT gets a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 168 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque. Both these trims get standard front-wheel drive and a standard five-speed manual transmission, while a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional. The CVT features a manual mode with simulated gear ratios operated via paddle shifters.
The Lancer Sportback offers many high-tech features (either as standard or optional), though these are increasingly becoming common in the compact segment. Examples include keyless ignition/entry, automatic climate control, a touchscreen navigation system, hard drive music storage, Bluetooth connectivity and Mitsubishi's Fuse voice-activated controls. Driver comfort is compromised by the lack of a telescoping steering column, but rear seat comfort is at least very good, with a useful amount of legroom. With the seats up, the Sportback offers 13.8 cubic feet of storage. Maximum cargo capacity is either 47 cubic feet with the Ralliart or 52.7 cubes with the GT.
Our seat time in the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback has revealed sporty handling and a strong appreciation for the potent Rockford Fosgate hard-drive-equipped audio system. The base ES is a little on the mundane side, but the GT version is likely sporty enough for most folks thanks to its peppy performance (especially with the manual gearbox) and solid composure through the corners. Unfortunately, the Lancer's lack of refinement, subpar fuel economy and disappointing interior quality make it less desirable than other compact hatchbacks.
Used Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Models
The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback was added to the Lancer lineup for 2010, but in that first year it was only available as the GTS and Ralliart. The latter featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged-4 (237 hp and 253 lb-ft), an automated dual-clutch manual transmission with shift paddles, and all-wheel drive. Both were discontinued after 2011, though the current GT is pretty similar to the GTS. The Mitsubishi Fuse system was also unavailable in the first year.
User Reviews:
Showing 41 through 50 of 53.00-
Great car!! - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
By igorlg - May 20 - 10:00 amThis car is above expectation! Fast acceleration and pleasant drive.
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I Would NEVER Buy it Again - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
By Tony Sam - May 5 - 6:20 pmThe ride is awful - its the worst I have ever experienced in any car Ive driven in the last 40 years. Very small bumps are okay and smooth roads great. But any other size bumps are bad jolts and very uncomfortable. Road noise is pronounced because poor insulation. The rear view is awful - obstructed by low hatchback, head rests in the back seats, and if people sit in the back seat, its hard to see anything. And this causes problems parking and backing up and can cause the car to be accident prone. The stability control is not perfected as it doesnt always stop straight. Fuel economy is well below competitors, Toyota, Honda, Kia, etc. The cheap plastics on the dashboard cause easy scratches.
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Excellent sports wagon - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
By Ralliart fan - March 23 - 11:36 amThe Ralliart wagon offers an impressive compromise between excellent well controlled handling and a comfortable ride. The engine is surprisingly powerful and the tranny downshifts quickly and smoothly. Build quality is exceptionally tight and the structure is very solid. I found no defects on my car at all. The cargo area has lots of storage nooks and offers quite a bit of space. The knee level liftover height makes loading extremely easy. The front seats hold you in place well but could be more comfortable. The rear seat reclining feature is nice as is the ability to fold flat without removing the headrests. Very roomy interior. The warranty cant be beat!
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Get one if you can... - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
By ajl - February 14 - 11:30 amI traded an 01 Focus ZX3 in on this car, which was a leftover 04 that the dealer was selling for $4,000 under sticker. At sticker, I probably wouldnt have bought this car, but I consider it one of the best bargains Ive ever got. My only complaints are that the gas mileage could be better, the A/C controls feel cheap, as do some other interior pieces. But Im glad I bought this car instead of a Focus wagon. Someone estimated that there are only about 3,000 of these cars in the US, so it is rather rare to spot another Sportback. My only question is long term reliability and durability, Mitsubishis seem to be hit or miss in that department.
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Fun car... but - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
By maxima155 - December 31 - 6:41 pmPurchased my Certified Pre-Owned Lancer GTS Sportback Ralliart iin 2013 with 28,000 miles. So far, great car to drive. 4WD is amazing. Drove this winter in Indianapolis with 8+ inches of snow and past countless SUVs and trucks. Turbo is great so far and no issues. A few problems: The car has a sport pack option which includes an aluminum gas tank cover. If you live in a colder region, avoid this option. The gas tank cover does freeze under 25F. The Rockford navigation system is a bit awkward and takes some time to adjust. Voice command inside the car is hopeless. Also the rear window in the sport back has poor visibility.
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New Car Broken Down Twice - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
By Jennifer - December 15 - 12:46 amWe traded in our 2000 Galant for another Mitsubishi because we were so happy with our Galant, only I think somehow we bought a lemon. It has broken down on me twice with my two kids in the car. I had to wait hours for a tow truck. Thankfully the tow and repair were covered (yet the whole process still cost me $600 in "necessary" (according to the dealership) tune up fees, plus the cost of a rental car. Not four months after my tune up, my car broke again. The first time was a faulty crank sensor (whatever the heck that is) and second time was some accelerator sensor. Oh and they also had to fix a leaky shock and the mid rear restraint that never worked off the lot. Buyers beware. I;m done with Mitsubishi.
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Really enjoy the car - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
By David M. - November 9 - 10:00 amI was looking to replace my 2004 Mazda RX8 which was no small task especially considering I didnt want a dedicated sports car. I tried a lot of cars and kept coming back to this car. It is not the fastest but the AWD, the dual clutch transmission, and the look really sold me. It is fun to drive and handles fairly well and does not beat you up with an overly stiff ride like most sporty cars. I regret not opting for the Recaro package as I have a bad back and the standard seats cause discomfort on long drives (seat upgrade is in the works). I wish it had telescoping wheel, the turn signal is ridiculously quiet, and the horn is the weakest I have ever heard. Great car for the money. Love it.
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Bang for the Buck - 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
By mitsu12 - October 24 - 9:12 amI wish that Edmunds would have been fair on the review of the Lancer GT Sportback. Maybe they can explain why no Data is shown for performance times and braking distances. While I do agree that the CVT Trans feels different, why dont we let the performance numbers do the talking. If you want the vehicle to feel like a normal transmission just use the auto stick or the paddles and you will feel right at home. The car rides firm but smooth, the brakes are excellant, the back seat room destroys the competition, the cargo area with the rear seats down is class leading. Warranty is GREAT and the number one reason to buy a GT is of course its great looks!!! and you wont see one at every light
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Love My Sportback; Gets Me Everywhere - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
By lighthouse333 - September 28 - 6:29 pmBuying this car was a major improvement for me, and I previously owned a luxury sedan. The Lancer is extremely practical, I can easily sit five people and maintain ample comfort room, and in back I can store a great amount of groceries and packages (one of the many pros of having a wagon). I am around 112k miles and the Lancer hasnt failed me once, even when missing an oil change every now and then. Aside from the common Lancer issue with the climate control knob breaking, I havent had to put much money into the car. Thanks to the reliability of my Mitsubishi I am definitely going to look into purchasing another from this company! (:
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Love this car, yet... - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
By suspectmario - July 20 - 9:16 amI love this car. Its styling and handling are great for the price. And the value of the GTS model is great. I drove a few cars before landing on this one. I just could not find a car that matched the fun and sporty feel for the money.
