2008 Mitsubishi Lancer

Laurance Yap

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

The first time I saw a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, I marvelled at how big a car it had become.

Sitting in a low-slung thing of European origin at the time, it seemed huge, looming above me with its tall doors and chunky body.

It was as if the Lancer – an award-winning economy car and Mitsu-bishi's most successful model in Canada – had grown up a full size during its redesign.

Turns out that I was wrong.

While the Lancer, which runs $16,600 to $22,800, sits on a longer wheelbase and wider track, it in fact occupies a smaller footprint than its predecessor; overall length is down compared to the previous model.

But while the small Mitsubishi may not have gained in actual size, it has definitely gained in presence.

The styling (so homely on the original) is indicative of a class of car that is larger, more luxurious, more substantial than before.

The smallest wheels available, for instance, now measure 16 inches and on the GTS model I tested, they're a sports-car-like 18 inches.

The details are rich and, well, detailed: the rear lamps are a complex array of trapezoids reminiscent of an Alfa Romeo's, the crease down the side shows off impeccable build quality and even small details like the door handles have a richness to them that speaks of growth and refinement.

Details don't lie. Despite remaining a compact, this is a much more grown-up car than the one it replaces and it only takes a quick glance at the interior to prove it.

Save for a couple of spots on the lower dash panels, the materials are of uniformly high quality – soft to the touch and with a low, expensive-looking sheen. Panel gaps are tight and even.

The finishes are high-end: leather on the steering wheel and shift knob and a textured metallic strip spanning one end of the car to the other.

The gauges, so dim and difficult to read in the old Lancer, are bright and beautiful in their circular nacelles; the radio and climate controls are big and easy to use.

There are some intriguing luxury-car features here, too: on the GTS ($21,698 MSRP), the stereo is a powerful 650-watt Rockford Fosgate setup that plays classical as well as it does bass-heavy hip hop; there's a dock for your iPod or other media player; you can sync up your cellphone wirelessly with Bluetooth and there's even a keyless entry and start system like the most expensive Mercedes.

Already one of the roomiest vehicles in its class, the Lancer feels almost mid-sized. There's plenty of head- and elbow-room up front, decent legroom in the rear seat and a huge trunk.

The seats themselves feel like they're from the class above, with large bolsters, comfortable padding and a shape that means they remain comfortable on long drives.

Plenty of storage spaces – bottle holders and map pockets in all four doors, a deep console bin, a cubby in front of the shifter and a large glovebox – make it easy to keep the interior neat and organized.

In terms of overall comfort, the Lancer feels airier than a Honda Civic thanks to its high seating position and the fact it's wider than a Toyota Corolla inside.

This is a legitimate four-passenger car, one that, thanks to its refined drivetrain, would be a pleasure to pilot on a long road trip.

It is that drivetrain that is the other major contributor to the Mitsubishi's grown-up feel.

The 2.0-litre all-aluminum four-cylinder, featuring dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, revs smoothly and cleanly right to redline.

It's almost entirely silent in most situations, only revealing its sporty, high-tech snarl when you're on the gas really hard. You rarely need to do so; there's plenty of torque at 2,000 rpm to whoosh past other cars on the freeway without a downshift.

Transmission options on the Lancer include a slick-shifting five-speed manual as well as a continuously variable automatic ($22,798); on the GTS, it comes with shift paddles on the back of the steering wheel that allow the selection of six fake ratios, upping the F1 sportiness quotient but cutting into fuel economy.

Even though this isn't the road-burning Evo, the Lancer is an entertaining car, especially in GTS trim.

The big wheels and tires provide excellent grip and the steering has that right-now immediacy and excellent road feel.

Cornering is flat and composed and braking performance and pedal feel are excellent: the GTS gets the larger front disc brakes from the Outlander SUV, contributing to its short stopping distances.

When you're not zipping around pretending like you're Tommi Mäkinen, the Lancer rides smoothly and quietly, filtering out all but the biggest and worst bumps on potholed city streets.

At least among the non-extreme models (the Civic Si, Mazdaspeed3, Subaru WRX and the upcoming Evo are a lot more expensive), the Lancer feels among the sportiest of the imports – sort of a more refined, more Japanese Chevy Cobalt SS.

With its son-of-Evo gaping grille, big rear wing and 10-spoke alloys, it projects a lot of visual aggression and mostly backs it up with the way it moves.

That it can tone it down a bit when you're not in the mood – and reduce its fuel consumption – is probably a selling point rather than a detractor.

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