Mitsubishi Lancer 2008 $15,799

THIS VEHICLE COMES WITH A FREE 3 MONTH WARRANTY. Touch Screen Navigation Sirius SAT Radio Sunroof AUX 2008 MITSUBISHI LANCER GTS JA3AU86U18U013201 SEDAN 4 DR 2.0L I4 FI DOHC 16V FRONT WHEEL DRIVE Mitsubishi is one of those under-the-radar car companies that a lot of shoppers don't include in their research. That's too bad, because it's on a streak of offering distinctive-looking vehicles that offer value in addition to style. For 2008, the Lancer compact sedan gets a complete redesign. The move is a vital part of Mitsubishi's current lineup renaissance, one needed after years of products that, while good, never bested the competition. The Lancer is one of the most important models in the company's lineup, and after testing the top-of-the-line GTS, I can attest to the fact that it is a successful and stunning update. Styling Some people suggest that a car's performance is the most important part of any review, but that's not the case with the new Lancer. This is one sharp-looking sedan. Rarely do I test a sub-$20,000 car that gets stares, but the Lancer GTS, with its 18-inch alloy wheels and super-sized spoiler, had plenty of heads turning in its direction. The most daring design element is the front end, with its frowning grille and sharp headlights tucked underneath an angled hood. There are so many stylish lines on the new Lancer I was surprised by something new each time I showed it to someone. During a video shoot, I noticed that there are actually two distinct lines running down the rear flank of the car, not just one. Around back, the taillights slant inward, toward the license plate, but also protrude out from the car's body — not flush like most vehicles — just at the top of the taillight. The bottoms are flush with another style line sliding underneath. That's a lot of detail for a company's entry-level vehicle. Interior As stylish as the outside is, the inside carries over more of the company's trends from other vehicles, like the Outlander compact SUV. It's a stark existence black is the only interior color choice. The good thing about black, though, is that it hides a lot of flaws. Not that the interior is terribly flawed there are some cheap elements, like the grab handles on the doors and the trip computer button beside the gauges, but it certainly holds its own against the likes of the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra and Ford Focus in the compact class. Only the Honda Civic and perhaps the Mazda3 upstage it on the inside. The Lancer's gauges are quite sporty, as are the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. These are the key areas that drivers are always connected to, and doing a good job with them is vital. Ergonomically, the Lancer does just fine, with short stubby stalks on either side of the wheel for the turn signals and windshield wipers, three easy-to-grasp knobs for the environmental controls and a straightforward stereo interface. There are plenty of areas around the center part of the dash to store cell phones, drinks and MP3 players, as well. The front seats are comfortable and keep occupants firmly in place. They're covered in a microfiber material that should be easy to keep clean, though they could be static electricity magnets in the winter. While the front seats are adequate, the backseat really shines with its legroom. At 5 feet, 10 inches, I sat behind a driver's seat adjusted for my height and had several inches of knee and foot room. I chauffeured my in-laws to the airport in the Lancer, and my wife and mother-in-law thought the backseat was plenty roomy, though my mother-in-law noted the seatback reclined a bit too much for her taste. Like most rear seats, they cannot be adjusted. The seats also fold down with the press of a button near the headrests. The resulting cargo floor isn't level with the trunk floor, and I can't think of much I'd need to fit in such a space beyond a set of skis. Otherwise, for cargo hauling you're probably better off just leaving the seats up and placing

• Air Conditioning
• Alloy Wheels
• Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
• Center Arm Rest
• Climate Control
• Cloth Seating
• Compact Disc (CD) Player
• Cruise Control
• Cup Holder
• Dual Front Airbags (SRS)
• Engine: 2.0L MIVEC DOHC 16V I-4
• Front Wheel Drive
• Intermittent Wipers
• Power Brakes
• Power Door Locks
• Power Glass Sunroof w/Sunshade
• Power Mirrors
• Power Steering
• Power Sunroof
• Power Windows
• Radio: In-Dash 6CD/MP3
• Traction Control System
• Wheels: 18' Alloy