Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 DI-D Juro 5dr Car Review - April 2012

The fine racing pedigree of Mitsubishi is to be seen here in the Lancer, as it is a car that has a very well weighted steering system that is accurate but also provides plenty of feedback too. The body control and grip while cornering are both very good, but the flip side to this coin is that the ride is a little firm, but it still deals with most of the lumps and bumps in its stride. Inside the cabin the Lancer does boast a good range of adjustment for the driving seat and a steering wheel that adjusts for both reach and height, but the rear visibility does suffer because of the large spoiler.

The engine performance delivered by the 2.0 litre diesel engine is competent rather than stunning, with acceleration from 0-62mph achieved in a reasonable 9.5 seconds. The top speed of 127mph is also good enough and means it is within its comfort zone when cruising on the motorway, and the level of refinement in the cabin also means that it is a peaceful place to be too.

The rallying heritage of the Mitsubishi Lancer is to be seen in the design of the car, with the aggressive looking narrow grille and headlight clusters being a very good look. The lines of the model are also nice, while the back end has a large spoiler which is certainly quite unusual in a car like this that is marketed as a practical family car. Inside the cabin is very nice and boasts a decent level of trim on the whole, but the hard plastics are frankly ugly and let down the interior of the car.

Even though this is the entry level version of the Mitsubishi Lancer, it is still supplied with a good level of equipment, including alloy wheels which are a vital part of a car that is dependent on its looks. Air conditioning is included to help ensure the cabin remains comfortable, and the CD stereo is also fine for a car like this.

When it comes to the practicality of the Lancer, it does have a saloon boot with a reasonable amount of space, and the cabin is spacious enough to accommodate four adults with no problems, but adding a fifth occupant does make things a little bit cramped. Mitsubishi also has an excellent reliability record which stands the Lancer in good stead.

As well as being a practical car, the Lancer is also a safe car to drive, with a number of driving aids such as traction control and stability control included to keep the driver in control. It also has a good range of airbags to look after the occupants in case of an accident, which have helped the Lancer to get five stars in the Euro NCAP safety test.

With a list price of only £16,609, this version of the Mitsubishi Lancer is cheaper than many other popular family cars such as the Ford Focus and the VW Golf, and is likely to get some attention for its dynamic styling too.

The running costs with the 2.0 litre engine aren't particularly impressive, but in terms of efficiency this version of the Lancer is able to achieve an average 46.0mpg. The low insurance group should mean that insurance premiums will be reasonable, and it should hold its value quite well too. The Lancer is supplied with a three year unlimited mileage warranty.