2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Lancer Sportback, and includes Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is a five-door hatchback version of the Lancer Sedan. It competes against models like the Ford Focus, Kia Forte, Mazda 3, Suzuki SX4, Toyota Matrix, and Volkswagen Golf.

Mitsubishi cancels the Lancer Sportback Ralliart and drops the standard manual transmission this year, poking enormous holes in its claim that this is the “definitive 5-door sports car.” These moves – taken just as the compact hatchback market is heating up – leave the underpowered ES and adequately powered GT models equipped with a standard continuously variable transmission. That GT designation is new, by the way, replacing last year’s GTS model, and the GT gets a Ralliart-inspired front styling treatment for 2012. Other changes include new wheel cover and alloy wheel designs, new dashboard trim, an ECO light to encourage fuel-efficient driving, and new interior fabrics. The ES model’s Deluxe Package now includes soft-touch upper door panel trim, nicer instrumentation, and a chrome-trimmed lower grille, while the GT model’s Touring Package adds a reversing camera and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The 2012 Lancer lineup is offered in Lancer Sedan, five-door Lancer Sportback, and rally-inspired Lancer Evolution format. This review details information about the Lancer Sportback, which is sold in ES and GT trim for 2012.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback ES rides on 16-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, and is equipped with a decent level of equipment. Highlights include air conditioning, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, and a tilt steering wheel with audio controls. The standard stereo is a four-speaker unit with a CD/MP3 player, and the Lancer Sportback ES has auto-off headlights, a rear wiper and washer, an ECO light, and an anti-theft alarm. The driver’s seat features a manual height adjuster, the 60/40-split folding rear seat includes a center armrest and rear cupholders, and the ES model has a black-and-beige two-tone interior treatment.

Options for the Lancer Sportback ES include a Deluxe Package with FUSE hands-free connectivity via Bluetooth, FAST-Key keyless entry and ignition, a power sunroof, and an upgraded sound system with a USB port and six free months of satellite radio service. The Deluxe Package also dresses the Lancer Sportback up with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, soft-touch upper door panel trim, and chrome lower grille trim. There’s an optional Alloy Wheel Package for the ES model, too, which adds 16-inch aluminum wheels, rear disc brakes, and a rear stabilizer bar. If you ask us, the Alloy Wheel Package ought to be standard.

The Lancer Sportback GT replaces last year’s GTS model, and adds more aggressive front styling for 2012. In addition, the GT includes a more powerful four-cylinder engine, attractive 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport suspension, upgraded four-wheel-disc brakes, sport front bucket seats, a rear roof spoiler, and fog lights. Inside, the Lancer Sportback GT is trimmed with piano black décor and chrome accents, and the cabin features a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake handle. Additional stereo speakers, a USB port, FUSE hands-free connectivity via Bluetooth, FAST-Key keyless entry and ignition, and automatic climate control also come standard on the GT model.

The Lancer Sportback GT can be upgraded with a hard-drive navigation system that includes server space for storing music files, real-time traffic reporting, and a reversing camera. A Touring Package is also available for the Sportback GT, equipping the car with numerous features including bi-Xenon high-intensity discharge headlights with automatic operation, rain-sensing wipers, a reversing camera with the display embedded into the auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 710-watt Rockford Fosgate Punch premium sound system with a six-disc CD changer and three months of free satellite radio. The Touring Package also includes leather, heated front seats, and a power sunroof.

In addition to these main option packages, Mitsubishi offers a wide variety of upgrades that are primarily cosmetic in nature. One of the dealer-installed extras that we think would be worth the investment are the rear park assist sensors that are available on the Lancer Sedan, which can help you to avoid reversing into hidden objects while backing up. However, for some reason, this option is not offered on the Lancer Sportback.

The Lancer Sportback ES is equipped with an underwhelming 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Peak power arrives at 6,000 and the motor makes 145 pound-feet of torque at 4,200 rpm. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard, and the EPA says fuel economy ratings are 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

Given the lack of motive force, not to mention equipment, on the Sportback ES, Vehix recommends the Sportback GT model for its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. This upgraded powertrain develops 168 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 167 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm, making the car competitive with others in its class. A Sportronic CVT with real magnesium shifter paddles delivers the power to the front wheels, and fuel economy estimates are 22-city/29-highway.

Every 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is equipped with seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag. A traction and stability control system is also standard, and this model is equipped with an antilock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. If your new Lancer Sportback is equipped with alloy wheels, it also has rear disc brakes; ES models come standard with rear drums. Additional safety features are available on the GT model, including a reversing camera and rain-sensing wipers.

If an accident proves unavoidable, it’s good to know that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) calls the 2012 Lancer a Top Safety Pick thanks to its top-rated performance in offset frontal-, side-, and rear-impact assessments. It also aced the roof crush strength test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not evaluated the Lancer Sportback.

Reliability data is also missing, with Consumer Reports abstaining from making any predictions as to how the Lancer Sportback will hold up over time. J.D. Power and Associates thinks the Lancer Sportback will return average levels of dependability in the long run.

If that’s not good enough to provide confidence, Mitsubishi includes a generous warranty with every Lancer Sportback. Owners are protected from unexpected expenses by a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of free roadside assistance with no mileage limit.

The Lancer Sportback ES’s engine employs Mitsubishi’s 4B11 aluminum block, which serves as the foundation for the Lancer Evolution’s powertrain. Clearly, however, the ES model isn’t cranking near the horsepower and torque that the Evo is.

The Lancer Sportback ES has electric-assisted steering, while the Sportback GT is equipped with traditional hydraulic steering for better feel.

The Lancer Sportback provides 13.8 cubic-feet of cargo space with rear seatbacks raised, and 46.6 cu-ft. with the seats folded. Mitsubishi also claims the cargo floor can be lowered three inches to expand maximum volume to 15.3 cu-ft. and 52.7 cu-ft., respectively.

By eviscerating the Lancer Sportback lineup for 2012, Mitsubishi has eliminated the most fun-to-drive versions of the car. At a minimum, it would be nice to be able to buy a Lancer Sportback ES with the bigger engine, all-wheel drive, and the GT model’s 18-inch alloy wheels. That said, what remains is a decent if not class-leading car. The Sportback gets a Top Safety Pick rating, the warranty is generous, and the hatchback body style is practical and useful. Otherwise, there’s not much excitement to see here, folks. Move along.

-- By Christian Wardlaw