 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer GT AWC. Click image to enlarge |
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Review and photos by Greg Wilson
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2013 Mitsubishi Lancer GT AWC
The Mitsubishi Lancer sedan was last redesigned in 2007 and the next generation Lancer isn’t expected until the 2014 model year. Seven years is an unusually long time between model redesigns, especially now that vehicle entertainment, communications and safety technologies are advancing so rapidly. So it’s not surprising that the Lancer is starting to look and feel dated. In particular, the Lancer’s hard plastic instrument panel materials, rudimentary audio display, lack of a telescoping steering wheel and power seats, and lack of a factory navigation screen and rearview camera (a dealer-installed navi system is available) betray its aging design. Mitsubishi has made some attempts to update the Lancer with things like Bluetooth audio, brighter instruments and a colour trip computer display, but what it really needs is a complete redesign.
Still, there are some reasons to consider the Lancer sedan – notably its class-leading warranty (basic 5 years/100,000 km, powertrain 10 years/160,000 km), availability of All-Wheel Control (AWC) with driver selectable 2WD, AWD and differential lock, decent handling, and a fairly roomy cabin. And to a certain extent, Lancer sedan owners benefit from the rub-off effect of owning a car that resembles the high-performance, rally-inspired Lancer Evolution model.
  2013 Mitsubishi Lancer GT AWC. Click image to enlarge |
Excluding the turbocharged Ralliart and Evolution models, the 2013 Lancer sedan is available with two normally aspirated four-cylinder engines: Lancer DE ($15,498), SE ($19,198), 10th Anniversary Edition ($19,998), and GT ($23,998) models have a standard 148-hp 2.0L engine, five-speed manual transmission (optional CVT) and front-wheel drive, while SE AWC ($23,098) and the new-for-2013 GT AWC ($27,998) trims come with a 168-hp 2.4L four-banger, “Sportronic” continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters, and Mitsubishi’s AWC system.
Lancers are also available in a hatchback body style called the Sportback in SE ($19,798) and GT ($24,198) trims but with the 2.0L engine and front-wheel drive only.
Today’s tester is a top-of-the-line GT AWC sedan with an as-tested price of $29,698 including a $1,350 Freight charge and $250 pre-delivery inspection charge.
