2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Review
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Practical hatchback body style
- competent handling
- high-tech equipment.
Cons
- Power-sapping CVT
- weak, noisy base engine
- lackluster interior materials
- no telescoping steering wheel.
What’s new
For the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, the high-performance Ralliart trim level has been retired. The GTS is also gone, though it's been effectively replaced by the GT.
Edmunds says
The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer is a fairly sporty hatchback, but it doesn't deliver when it comes to refinement or fuel economy.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback ES 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$159/mo for Lancer Sportback ES
Lancer Sportback ES
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
Like many manufacturers, Mitsubishi reckons having a little fun in your practical everyday car is a good thing. Based on the Lancer sedan, the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback expands on that notion with its hatchback design, offering additional cargo capacity over the sedan. Aggressively styled with its chiseled body and available cosmetic upgrades, the Lancer Sportback looks as if it came straight from Europe -- which it originally did.
Sadly, there's little actual performance to back up those sporty looks this year, as the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Ralliart version has been dropped for 2012. What remains is a competent hatchback but not much else. While the car's handling is better than average and its features list is fairly comprehensive, it's letdown by a sluggish continuously variable transmission (CVT), unremarkable fuel economy, substandard interior materials and limited actual cargo capacity due to the car's raked rear window.
As such, we think most buyers will be happier with a competing small hatchback. Compared to models such as the Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza or Volkswagen Golf, the Lancer typically comes up short in terms of cargo capacity, fuel economy and performance.
Unfortunately for Mitsubishi, small hatchbacks are better than ever, and the 2012 Lancer Sportback has been left near the back of the pack.
Performance & mpg
The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback ES is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The GT upgrades to a 2.4-liter four that makes 168 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque. A CVT and front-wheel drive are standard for both engines. The CVT features simulated gear ratios that can be operated via the GT's shift paddles. There is no manual transmission for 2012. The Lancer ES achieves an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined. The GT earns 22 city/29 highway and 25 combined.
Safety
The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback comes standard with front-seat side airbags, full-length head curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag and stability control. Antilock brakes are also standard, with four-wheel disc brakes on the GT and rear drums for the ES. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Lancer Sportback its highest rating of "Good" in both frontal-offset and side-impact crash testing.
Driving
The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback ES's 148-hp output makes it just fine for the daily commuter but will probably disappoint drivers with more spirited leanings. The GT model is an enticing choice for buyers on a budget who are looking for more performance than in the typical economy car. Its 2.4-liter engine has adequate low-end power and a smooth, willing nature, as well as unusually sharp handling for this class.
Interior
While the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer's chiseled exterior lends an air of aggression, its interior design and materials tend to drag down the vehicle's overall appeal. On the whole, the cabin design is a bit uninspiring, and is rife with hard plastic elements. Taller drivers will likely bemoan the lack of a telescoping steering wheel and the lack of under-thigh support.
The rear seats are quite comfortable, with a generous amount of legroom. The 60/40-split seats fold flat to accommodate bulky items, expanding the 13.8 cubic feet of storage to a maximum of either 46.6 cubic feet with the rear cargo floor in place or 52.7 cubes with it removed.
The clumsy operation of the touchscreen navigation unit looks to have been remedied by Mitsubishi's Fuse voice activation system. Much as with Ford's Sync system, selecting a destination or choosing your favorite music is only a voice command away. Fuse is not quite as sophisticated as Sync and lacks a few of the latter's features and voice commands, but we still prefer it to the tricky layout of the touchscreen.
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback models
The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is available in ES and GT trim levels.
The base ES comes with 16-inch steel wheels, front disc and rear drum brakes, automatic headlights, air-conditioning, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-only steering wheel, full power accessories, a trip computer, a 60/40-split rear seat and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player with an auxiliary audio jack.
The GT gains a more powerful engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, foglamps, a sport-tuned suspension, aero-style bodywork pieces, keyless entry/ignition, automatic climate control, sport front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with shift paddles, Bluetooth, the Fuse voice-activation system and a six-speaker sound system with a USB/iPod interface.
Many GT features are also available on the ES as stand-alone options or as part of bundled packages. A Touring package is available for the GT and features a sunroof, automatic wipers, automatic bi-xenon headlights, leather seats, heated front seats, a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system (with an in-dash six-CD changer and satellite radio) and a rearview camera in the rearview mirror. Also optional on both trims is a navigation system with digital music storage and a rearview camera in the display.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback.
5 star(55%)
4 star(30%)
3 star(15%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
20 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.25 out of 5 stars
Bang for the Buck
mitsu12, 02/10/2012
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback GT 4dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl CVT)
I 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 don't 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 won't see one at every light
4.75 out of 5 stars
Not my Audi TT, but great for $20k less
cutcoll, 11/05/2010
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback GTS 4dr Hatchback (2.4L 4cyl CVT)
I use my Mitsubishi Lancer SB/GTS for driving to work and chores. I have an 2009 Audi TT 2.0/Quattro I drive when I'm not going to work. When I'm driving the Lancer, I often wonder where the $20k difference in price is. The Lancer has many of the same features like auto. headlights and wipers, heated leather seats, pwr windows, ABS/ATC/ASC, 4 wheel disc brakes,anti-theft system, 18" … aluminum wheels(extra $850 on the TT), cruise control, paddle shifters, steering wheel mounted controls, automatic temperature control... So where is the difference? The Lancer exceeds the mpg rating. I'm averaging 30 with mixed driving. Plus the Lancers 6CD sound system puts the Audi's to shame.
5 out of 5 stars
I love my car!
Candy Adams, 01/30/2017
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback ES 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I had been shopping for another Honda until I found the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. It has easy access to the storage area in the back and handles wonderfully. It is also very fun to drive. I highly recommend this type of car.
4 out of 5 stars
Fun car... but
maxima155, 02/13/2014
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
Purchased 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 SUV's 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.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, so we've included reviews for other years of the Lancer Sportback since its last redesign.
2012 Lancer Sportback Highlights
ES
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $18,395 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 27 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $159/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Lancer Sportback include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall4 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall4 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat3 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover12.1%
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