2014 Mitsubishi Lancer GT Review & Test Drive

‘VALUE LADDEN SPORTY PERFORMANCE’

The new Mitsubishi Lancer GT combines great value and sporty performance with its aggressive-looking ‘shark nose’ front fascia, 18 inch alloy wheels, sport front bucket seats, GT-tuned sport suspension, a rear spoiler, high-revving 168hp 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a high-tech CVT INVECS-III transmission with Sportronic shifting utilizing magnesium steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. New features this year include a 6.1 inch Touchscreen Display Audio System, HD radio, SIRIUS satellite radio, a rearview camera, redesigned seats and seating surface fabrics, stylish gloss black interior trim, and an available 7 inch MMCS Navigation/Audio system with high-definition touch panel, voice command, 3D mapping, point-of-interest information and real-time traffic alerts.

Exterior styling is unique with its aggressive looking ‘shark nose’ fascia featuring a big-mouth dual honeycomb grille with a chrome surround. Down below are foglamps and honeycomb inlets to further help cool the engine and front brakes. Powerful halogen headlights light up the night and a lower splitter keeps the front end solidly planted on the pavement. From the side are steeply raked windshield A-pillars, body colored power-remote sideview mirrors and pull-out door handles. Side sills give the Lancer GT a lower center of gravity for better handling prowess and the 18X7 inch aluminum alloy wheels wrapped with 215/45R18 inch Dunlop all-season tires fill up the wheel-wells for a terrific sporty look. Out the rear are round brake/back/tail lamps, a high-mounted spoiler to keep the rear solidly planted on the pavement during high-speed driving and a single, round polished stainless steel exhaust tip. The overall look is aggressive, taut and athletic.

Under the hood the 2.4 liter, 16-valve, DOHC, all-aluminum Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control System (MIVEC) inline 4-cylinder engine puts out a healthy 168hp at 6,000rpm and 167lb.ft. of torque at 6,500rpm. The 2.4 liter engine in my test Lancer GT was mated to Mitsubishi’s innovative six-speed INVECS-III (Intelligent & Innovative Vehicle Electronic Control System) adaptive CVT transmission with magnesium paddle shifter located on the steering column. This unique system automatically selects the optional gear based on road conditions-there is no jolt when shifting gears up or down for a smooth feel and quick action.

With its fully independent suspension I easily tossed the Lancer GT around on curving back roads and at high speeds on the highway. I intermittently turned off the Active Stability Control/Traction Control system by pushing a button on the dashboard. The sport-tuned suspension features a MacPherson strut setup and a 21mm stabilizer bar up front and a multi-link setup with an 18mm stabilizer in the rear. Using the standard and proven hydraulic power-assisted rack & pinion steering system was even more fun as I guided the Lancer GT around steeply curving roads. The steering system features 3.16 turns lock-to-lock for fast responses to my inputs. Even the turning circle is a short 32.8 ft.

Quickly and safely slowing the Lancer GT down from speed are large, four-wheel, power-assisted steel disc brakes. Up front are 11.6 inch vented discs clamped with large single-piston calipers and 11.9 inch solid discs clamped with single-piston calipers in the rear. During hard braking and when braking on slick or wet pavement you maintain you desired line with standard ABS and EBD. With a base price as tested of just $21,445.00, the Mitsubishi Lancer GT is a ‘gas’ to drive and toss around, but also easy at the gas station with 23mpg/city and 30mpg/highway.

Form follows function as the interior cabin is sporty, comfortable and high-tech. The new sport bucket seats are more supportive and very comfortable. Each is manually adjustable with the driver’s-side height adjustable. The high-contrast instrument cluster is easy to see and understand with a color multi-information display/trip computer. The sporty leather-wrapped steering wheel tilts and has redundant buttons for the audio system, Bluetooth hands-free phone system and cruise control. The stick shifter is also leather-wrapped and sits in a aluminum gate with chrome surround for an added luxury touch. The center stack has easy to use climate control dials and the 6.1 inch touchscreen display audio system is also easy to use. The center console features dual cupholders with a flip-up cover and a padded armrest with a deep storage box. Other standard equipment includes dual map lights, A/C, heater, variable-speed wipers/washers, 60/40 split rear seats with a pull-down center armrest including dual cupholders, AM-FM-Satellite radio/CD/MP3 digital HD system with 6-speakers, FUSE hands-free link system with USB port, power windows/door locks with driver’s-side express up/down, grab handles above the front two doors, dual visor vanity mirrors, 12-volt accessory outlet, Fast Key entry system and storage slots in the front doors.

Standard safety features include side curtain airbags, driver’s-side knee airbag, adjustable head restraints, 3-point safety belts for all 5-seating positions with front pretensioners/load limiters, advanced dual front airbags, front seat mounted side impact airbags, front crumple zone, LATCH system for child seats, tire pressure monitor system, engine immobilizer, and an anti-theft alarm system.

The new 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer GT is fun and easy to drive with all of the necessary interior items to keep any enthusiast happy and safe. Priced at only $21,445.00 as tested, it is also easy on the wallet.