2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Lancer looks sportier than it is but holds up well with plenty of value and technology features.
The Lancer Evolution is a hotted-up answer to the Subaru Impreza WRX, but even the more pedestrian, non-Evolution versions look the part of hardcore rally racer. The car's nose is aggressively pointed down, and large vents accent the front fascia. Higher trims like the GTS get fog lights set into the lower bumper and aero bodywork to complete the racy look.
Though the lower trims get hubcaps and more pedestrian bodywork, the Lancer’s rising beltline and smooth lines give a sleek look to all versions of the car. Larger wheels on the top trims fill the Lancer’s wheel wells and make it appear truly aggressive, especially with the addition of the optional rear decklid spoiler.
Just one engine appears under the hoods of every 2008 Lancer. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine makes 152 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to make the Lancer a solid commuter, but not enough to live up to its sporty styling. Acceleration off the line is limp, but once up to highway speeds, the Lancer can pass with ease.
That lonely engine comes paired with either a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the latter of which seems to suck the power right out of the engine under acceleration. The 5-speed manual has a solid feel and quick shifting action.
Compared to competition from Nissan, Volkswagen, and Honda, the Mitsubishi feels more spacious. But it still leaves much to be desired in the headroom department. Tall passengers will find decent legroom, but people nearing the mid-six-foot range will find that there are limits to the Lancer’s abilities.
The Lancer excels with materials quality, but some cheap bits show through. Build quality is strong for the segment, but the cabin allows more than a little road noise to seep through.
Cargo space and storage are generously spread throughout the Lancer’s cabin. There are useful and roomy spaces in the doors, glove box, and center console, though the optional subwoofer drastically cuts into the 11.6 cubic feet of trunk space. Without the subwoofer, the trunk is spacious, but taller cargo and longer cargo will run into conflict with the Lancer’s low trunk opening.
The Lancer is one of the most tech-forward cars in the segment. Higher trims get a combination navigation and music storage system with a 30-gigabyte hard drive that allows users to download and store a significant amount of music in the car. The touchscreen system is easy to use, and the screen allows for customization in the interface that makes it a personal system.
The optional, upgraded audio system supplies too much bass, and the stereo is too loud for such a small car, Combined with the Lancer’s lack of sound-deadening materials, the audio system can sound washed out and thin, despite its overall powerful volume levels.
User reviews for 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
Write a review2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Pricing
Trims & specs
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Total Number of Speakers: 4 · 140 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.9 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 8.0 · Rear brakes: drum
Comfort Features
Door sill trim: scuff plate
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 4
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Wheels
Wheel covers: full
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Hard Drive: 30GB · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Rockford Fosgate · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 4 · 140 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 10.9 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: simulated alloy · Dash trim: simulated alloy · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Hard Drive: 30GB · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Rockford Fosgate · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 6 · 650 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.6 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.9 · Rear brake width: 0.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: simulated alloy · Dash trim: simulated carbon fiber · Door trim: simulated alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: alloy
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 1 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: storage organizer · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 6
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Sunroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium cloth
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: coil over shock · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: all season
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
