Mitsubishi has a potential winner on its hands with the 2008 Lancer. In the absence of final pricing information, we estimate that a Lancer GTS equipped like ours will have an MSRP just shy of $22,000, including destination charges. Its tech amenities make it a top-tier car in terms of cabin gadgets, and a great value.

The masculine styling won’t be for everyone, but Mitsubishi can’t risk softening the profile of its aspirational rally mobile at this point, and sales likely won’t be affected anyway. This is a car with a carefully crafted heritage which it lives up to admirably (and which the Evo X will really embrace).

All the extra hardware and prestige associated with the upcoming Evo will push it to the $30,000 range, making an optioned-up Lancer GTS seem an even better bargain for fans of interior tech who don’t necessarily need all the performance and complexity of the Evo.



The good: The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS is among the most tech-equipped cars available at its price, offering touch screen navigation, Bluetooth, and a 650-watt audio system with a 30GB hard drive.

The bad: Lots of guy-racer styling add-ons aren’t backed up with much actual performance. Torque steer mars the otherwise entertaining front-drive handling.

The bottom line: While the new Lancer GTS boasts amenities not seen on other cars in its class, a powerful engine isn’t one of them. But if rally car looks, nice tech options, and a booming stereo are more your speed, this Mitsubishi is an excellent choice.

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