2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

The Evo has established itself as one of the most thrilling sedans on the market this side of an M5. If you're willing to sacrifice a little ride quality and interior ambience for all-out performance, the Evo is hard to beat.

Pros

One of the best-handling sedans available at any price, razor-sharp steering, ample turbocharged power, sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, stripped-down RS model offers serious bang for the buck.

Cons

Spartan interior, unforgiving highway ride, not much in the way of upscale amenities, no side airbags.

What's New for 2005

A new MR edition debuts that features a six-speed manual transmission, BBS one-piece forged alloy wheels, Bilstein shocks and an aluminum roof for a lower center of gravity. The all-wheel-drive system for all Evos now includes a front helical limited-slip differential and electronic active center differential (ACD). All models get a power boost of 5 horsepower and 13 pound-feet of torque. A larger cupholder is new this year, and all models get aluminum side-impact bars (to save weight). The standard Evo loses its HID headlamps (now optional), and all Evos lose the intercooler water spray feature (due to packaging for the ACD). The MR and RS get an aluminum roof panel, and the RS also gets thinner sheet metal in the deck lid (again, to save weight). Inside, all models get a revised meter cluster to include the ACD display.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Awesome - but you'll pay to play

Written by: Timmy on 11/30/2008

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	9

Vehicle

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I've had my Evo VIII for 3 years now, and it's an awesome car. Great power, handling, and braking. The Recaro seats are awesome; plenty of room/trunk space. The AWD is wonderful - especially for winter driving (but you need snow tires). Downside is, everything about this car is expensive. Premium gas only, and unless you drive like an old man, you'll rarely get more than maybe 20- 21 mpg. Takes only synthetic motor oil. OEM Brembo brake pads cost over $300 per side, and keep up with pads because replacing rotors will cost you over a grand per side. OEM tires last about 10K miles, and cost over $300 per tire. That's just the wearables - replacing components costs more.

Favorite Features

Street legal race car - and all that comes with it. Outstanding performance, AWD, large trunk, good look, decent stereo, great seats.

Suggested Improvements

None - it's a great car. It's just expensive. If you're considering this car, but it's a little high on your price range - don't buy it. The cost of the car is only the beginning. The cost of gas and keeping the maintenance schedule is about 3X that of a normal car.

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Built with a purpose: speed with control

Written by: roadrocket007 on 09/13/2007


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	9	Exterior Design:	10

I have driven much more expensive sports cars, with more horsepower, better looking (maybe), more luxurious, etc., but nothing will deliver the same performance package that the Evo does. This is a machine built with one specific purpose in mind: highest level of performance by combining power with precise delivery and control. No car on the road costing less than 100k will give so much road feel, precise turning and confidence like the Lancer Evolution. This car tells you exactly what's going on from the contact patch level to the steering wheel. You can increase the power, handling, grip, etc., for less money than other cars. This is a car for the purist not poseurs!

Chassis and drivetrain.

Have a track delivery program like BMW! If people just knew what this thing can actually do in a professional road circuit.

Fun car

Written by: devildoc on 07/17/2007


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	7	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	10

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution RS 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

I love my EVO it has got to be the funnest car I have ever driven. I have had no problems with it at all. Even the cops seem to ignore it due to the lack of spoiler. There is plenty of space in the cabin for passengers or boxes. The only thing is due to the lack of fold down seats it is difficult to pack long items like snowboards in it. But if that is really what you are looking for then buy a truck.

The steering is perfect and the acceleration and handling are right where they should be. Even an amateur can drive like a pro.

Fold down seats.

Fun Car With Lots of Room for Improvement

Written by: Jim P on 12/15/2006


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	7
Comfort:	6	Interior Design:	2	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	5	Exterior Design:	9

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Edition 4dr Sport Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

This car is the most fun vehicle I have ever driven, but I feel it lacks a lot of things for a near $37,000 car. The paint needs to be improved greatly, my front end looks like it's ten years old already.

Definitely the turbocharger and all-wheel drive. The car handles great and you can just about replace everything with improved parts from the aftermarket.

Use more durable paint on the car and wheels. Tune the car so it's not pig rich. Use nicer interior panels, the car rattled with only 10,000 miles on it. Put a stronger clutch in the car.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Unbelievable

Written by: jloya81 on 10/29/2006


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	7	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	8

This car is unbelievable (and underrated). To be fair I test drove a few cars (The STi, TL, Boxster, Cayman and my friend's M3). Out of all the cars, this car just blew me away. This is an enthusiast's dream. True it has a bare bones interior but who needs a stereo when you have 285 horses buzzing? Some have said that the 5-speed isn't as smooth as Honda's but it feels much firmer and won't feel like it'll snap off during power shifts. This car won't get girl's attention until you smoke their boyfriend's Porsche. If you want attention, buy an overpriced convertible, if you want performance buy an Evo. BMW's lying..THIS is the ultimate driving machine!

The turbo, how it costs under $30,000 out the door (lucky me!), the firm tranny, how '06 options are standard on the '05 model, and its stealth. this car can run with cars that cost twice as much and only a few know what's under the hood q=-).

Give it bigger brakes and a 4 point racing harnesses. Helmets and fire suits should be optional for the '08 model lol.

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Consumer Ratings & Reviews