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Mitsubishi Lancer

EPA MPG: 26 mpg
Average Retail Price
$2,850 - $3,200

RECALL ALERT:
There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Road Test

This version of the Lancer was a new design that didn’t measure up to its competitors. Traits include slow acceleration, clumsy handling and a ride that is not well controlled. Further, uncomfortable seats and a noisy cabin undermine the spacious accommodations. This car also received a Poor in the IIHS side-crash test.

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2002 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

No Data Available

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

2002 Small sedans/hatchbacks Ratings

$2,850 - $3,200
economy-icon
EPA MPG 26 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$2,775
economy-icon
EPA MPG NA
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$2,775 - $3,425
economy-icon
EPA MPG 28 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$3,025 - $4,825
economy-icon
EPA MPG 34 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$2,850
economy-icon
EPA MPG NA
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
Features & Specs
Body Style
    sedan
Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
Front
Engines Available
  • 2-liter 4 (120 hp)
Transmissions Available
  • 5-speed manual
  • 4-speed automatic
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Model History
2008-
Current Generation

The 2008 Lancer redesign brought great improvements, including a decent ride and fairly agile handling. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder has good acceleration, but the engine is sluggish from a stop, tends to moan at high revs, and returns uncompetitive fuel economy. The cabin is furnished with drab plastics, but the controls are simple to use. The sporty, AWD Ralliart is quick and agile. But it's also noisier, has a stiff ride, and its automated manual transmission is annoying during all but the most spirited drives. The high-performance Lancer Evolution is a turbocharged all-wheel-drive rally car for the road. It's furiously fast, but grating to live with on a daily basis for drivers who aren't willing to compromise comfort for performance. The Lancer has been discontinued for 2018.

2002-2007
2002 Redesign Year
This iteration of the Lancer is an unimpressive compact sedan. Slow, with clumsy handling and poor ride quality, the model trailed the compact sedan field of its day. While the interior is spacious, the seats are uncomfortable and noise levels are quite high. The model also earned a Poor ranking in IIHS side-crash testing.