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By KBB Editors
Updated December 23, 2019
If you are looking for a sleek, sharp-handling compact car with a comprehensive warranty, you’ll find the Mitsubishi Lancer worth a look.
While the Lancer’s sub-$16,000 starting price may appear attractive at first glance, value-driven buyers may favor the equally priced Hyundai Elantra and Kia Rio for their additional standard features and superior fuel economy.
For 2012, Mitsubishi introduces a new SE trim with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), heated seats and outside mirrors, a continuously variable automatic transmission, and the GT model’s more powerful 2.4-liter engine. Additionally, the Lancer Sportback no longer offers a manual transmission and drops the performance-based Ralliart edition from the lineup.
The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer sedans and Sportback wagon are perhaps the sportiest cars in the profoundly competitive compact-car segment. While there are plenty of more-fuel-efficient choices in the category, few can match the vibrant driving experience and diverse model range provided by the Lancer. From the basic ES sedan to the versatile 5-door Sportback to the high-performance Evolution variant, the Mitsubishi Lancer is an enticing carrot for compact-car shoppers searching for something practical that also looks and handles like a sports car.
Used 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer pricing starts at $6,140 for the Lancer DE Sedan 4D, which had a starting MSRP of $16,490 when new. The range-topping 2012 Lancer Evolution MR Sedan 4D starts at $16,724 today, originally priced from $38,490.
Original MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
$16,490 | $6,140 | |||
$18,290 | $5,978 | |||
$19,690 | $6,173 | |||
$20,640 | $6,142 | |||
$20,990 | $5,711 | |||
$22,735 | $7,095 | |||
$29,385 | $9,304 | |||
$35,290 | $18,598 | |||
$38,490 | $16,724 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for used 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer models in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly.
In order to make a small car ride as well as it handles, engineers must sometimes manhandle the laws of physics. Judging by our test drive in the Lancer GT model, it would appear the engineers have won the battle. On twisting mountain roads, we were impressed by the GT’s composure, as well as its tenacious ability to cling to the pavement. When not tearing through unpopulated mountain passes, we found the smooth and less noisy ES trim to be far more compatible with daily driving needs. Although the ES’ cabin is less raucous than in the GT, it still let’s in a fair amount of wind and engine noise.
Despite its aggressive and modern styling, the Lancer’s sleek exterior design, unfortunately, does not carry into the cabin. The interior’s stale design and its abundance of hard, cheap plastics are the Achilles’ heel of the Lancer. Taller drivers will find the seating position uncomfortable due to the Lancer’s lack of a telescoping steering wheel and the minimal thigh support provided by the short seat bottom. The GT and Ralliart trims feature the most appealing interior, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, deeply bolstered front seats, chrome interior door handles, and high-contrast gauge faces. Rear-seat legroom is surprisingly generous, and the Sportback’s flexible configuration delivers an impressive 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space – comparable to many small SUVs.
The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer separates itself from the mundane designs of traditional compact cars with its bold stance, aggressive snout and rally car inspired styling. Mitsubishi says the massive front grille was inspired by the air intakes found on high-tech fighter jets – the same source of inspiration behind the Lamborghini Reventon. The base DE model rolls on 16-inch steel wheels while the ES/SE and GT/Ralliart models wear 16-inch and 18-inch alloys, respectively. Chrome accents, color-keyed body pieces and exterior features vary by trim level, successively growing nicer as the dollar signs move upward.
Voice-Activated HDD Navigation
The Lancer’s hard drive-based navigation system responds more quickly than traditional DVD-based units. It also features Mitsubishi’s new FUSE voice-recognition software for simple multimedia commands.
Keyless Entry and Start
The available FAST-Key system lets you lock, unlock and start the Lancer without ever removing the key fob from your pocket or bag.
Since the base DE trim lacks the essential creature comforts one would expect from a $16,000 vehicle, we’d recommend taking a step up to the ES, as it adds air conditioning, power door locks, steering-wheel-mounted controls, an auxiliary audio input jack for portable music players and remote keyless entry. Designed for the Snowbelt states, the SE model adds all-wheel drive, a more powerful 2.4-liter engine and heated seats to the mix. GT models gain 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, automatic climate control, FUSE voice-recognition software with Bluetooth hands-free phone capability, a USB port for MP3 players, and sport seats. The Ralliart boasts a 237-horsepower turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive and a 6-speed twin-clutch Sportronic Shift automatic transmission. The high-performance Lancer Evolution features a 291-horsepower turbocharged engine with all-wheel drive, large Brembo brakes and Recaro racing-style front seats.
Some of the Lancer’s most desirable options are a hard-drive navigation system and the Deluxe Package which includes FAST Key keyless entry and start, a 710-Watt Rockford-Fosgate audio system with a USB port, FUSE voice-recognition and a sunroof. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) serves as the automatic transmission option for the workaday Lancers, while a twin-clutch Sportronic Shift automatic is available for the Evolution.
For 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer DE and ES trims, the only powertrain decision facing a buyer is whether to stick with the 5-speed manual or go for the CVT. The SE and GT trims, however, get a more robust 168-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, which shows noticeable improvements over the outdated 2.0-liter in the areas of vibration and low-end torque. The CVT-equipped GTS model includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The Ralliart trim gains a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine good for 237 horsepower, while the Evolution model whips out 291 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque.
2.0-liter inline-4
148 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
146 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm (Sportback: 145 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/34 mpg (manual), 26/34 mpg (automatic), 24/32 mpg (Sportback)
2.4-liter inline-4
168 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
167 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/31 mpg (manual), 23/30 mpg (automatic), 22/29 mpg (Sportback)
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
237 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
253 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-4,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
291 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
300 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 mpg (manual), 17/22 mpg (automatic)
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.
We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.
Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.
Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
Curb Weight | 3120 lbs. | ||
---|---|---|---|
EPA Passenger | 93.5 cu.ft. | ||
EPA Total Interior | 105.8 cu.ft. | ||
Fuel Capacity | 14.5 gallons | ||
Front Head Room | 39.6 inches | ||
Front Leg Room | 42.3 inches | ||
Max Seating Capacity | 5 | ||
Overall Length | 180.0 inches | ||
Front Shoulder Room | 54.7 inches | ||
Trunk or Cargo Capacity | 12.3 cu.ft. | ||
Wheel Base | 103.7 inches | ||
Width with mirrors | 69.4 inches |
Alloy Wheels | Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fog Lights | Available | ||
Number of Doors | 4 doors | ||
Rear Spoiler | Available |
City | 22 mpg | ||
---|---|---|---|
Highway | 29 mpg | ||
Combined | 25 mpg |
Drivetrain | AWD | ||
---|---|---|---|
Transmission Type | Automatic | ||
Recommended Fuel | Regular |
Horsepower | 168 @ 6000 RPM | ||
---|---|---|---|
Torque | 167 @ 4100 rpm | ||
Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter |
Basic | 5 years / 60000 miles | ||
---|---|---|---|
Powertrain | 5 years / 60000 miles | ||
Corrosion | 7 years / 100000 miles |
Used 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer | Used 2015 Ford Focus | Used 2013 Chevrolet Sonic | Used 2013 Volvo S60 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $6,210 | $5,591 | $5,968 | $5,853 | |
KBB.com Rating | 2.9 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 3.9 | |
Consumer Rating | 4.5 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.5 | |
Fuel Economy | City 22/Hwy 29/Comb 25 MPG | City 27/Hwy 40/Comb 31 MPG | City 25/Hwy 35/Comb 28 MPG | City 21/Hwy 30/Comb 24 MPG | |
Fuel Type | Gas | Flexible Fuel | Gas | Gas | |
Safety Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | N/A | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
Basic Warranty | 5 years or 60000 miles | 3 years or 36000 miles | 3 years or 36000 miles | 5 years or 50000 miles | |
Horsepower | 168 @ 6000 RPM | 160 @ 6500 RPM | 138 @ 6300 RPM | 250 @ 5500 RPM | |
Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, Flex Fuel, 2.0L | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter | 5-Cyl, Turbo, 2.5 Liter | |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
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