2015 Mitsubishi Lancer for Sale in Chicago, IL

Although it lacks the cachet of, say, Lexus or Acura or Infiniti, Mitsubishi does have a solid reputation for producing family-oriented, value-laden economy cars. The 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer is a case in point. This 5-passenger compact sedan offers little in the way of posh, techno-adventure, power or driving panache, but it does boast a couple of full-time all-wheel-drive (AWD) trims, a turbocharged powerplant and, even in the higher trims, a livable MSRP.

This capable if unexciting 4-door remains available in 4 trims, the base ES, the sporty GT, the upper midlevel SE and the flagship Ralliart. It’s also offered in Lancer Evolution form and in practicality-minded, 5-door Lancer Sportback (hatchback) garb, but those versions are covered in separate overviews.

It should be noted that the SE and Ralliart each come with the above-mentioned AWD, while the ES and GT iterations both remain delivered only with front-wheel drive (FWD). Additionally, as you climb higher on the Lancer trim list, engines get more powerful.

Some changes also get laid onto the Lancer brand for 2015, including a redesigned bumper on the SE and a few tweaks to the GT’s front fascia. Additionally, all trims now arrive in showrooms with standard heated power-adjustable outside mirrors, while the SE sports standard FUSE/Bluetooth hands-free audio, and an available Value Pack with upgraded infotainment features and interior materials is introduced for the entry-level ES.

No changes, however, have been slated for the 3 drivetrain offerings for 2015, thus the ES, for example, once again sports the base 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine and again mates it with the standard 5-speed manual transmission for 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. Those who desire a less physical cruise to work or the mall can select the available continuously variable transmission (CVT), which reviewers warn can be noisy and a bit clunky. In any case, expect EPA-estimated mileage to be 25 mpg city/34 highway in the stick-shift-equipped ES and 26/34 in CVT-packing versions.

Both the GT and SE trims carry a 2.4-liter I4 powerplant, with the GT again offering the standard 5-speed manual transmission or the optional CVT. The SE remains toting only the CVT, while in either instance, power numbers return at 168 hp and 167 lb-ft of torque. Mileage numbers remain 22/31 with the stick-shift GT and 23/30 with the CVT, while the AWD- and CVT-packing SE runs an estimated 22/29.

Shelling out the (comparatively) big bucks for the 2015 Ralliart gets you a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine mated with a 6-speed auto-manual transmission to the tune of 237 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. Meantime, look for this force-fed I4 to burn premium gasoline at an 18/25 clip.

Standard bells and whistles in the base ES include, besides the above-mentioned additions for 2015, 16-inch steel wheels, a driver information display, full power accessories, cloth upholstery, cruise control, tilt-wheel steering and manual air conditioning. This entry-level trim also returns with a single-CD player sporting 4 speakers and an auxiliary audio input jack.

The next-up GT adds 18-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler to the mix, as well as a sport-tuned suspension, an upgraded interior, keyless entry/ignition, a rear-view camera, front auto climate control and a 6-speaker stereo boasting 6 speakers, satellite radio and a FUSE/Bluetooth hands-free interface.

The SE, meanwhile, sports, besides full-time AWD, 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior accents and heated front seats, with the Ralliart adding hill-start assist and dual exhaust pipes, along with a sport steering wheel, unique cabin accents and upholstery, and aluminum pedals.

Of course, less expensive Lancer trims can be equipped with a number of items that come standard on higher trims as options, while a power sunroof and GPS navigation are additionally available to upper-echelon trims. The Deluxe and Alloy Wheel packages also return as options for select 2015 Lancer trims, as does an optional and formidably featured Touring Package, boasting leather upholstery and 9 Rockford Fosgate speakers along with the sunroof and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Finally, standard safety features in all 2015 Lancer variations include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head restraint whiplash protection. Daytime running lights and a remote antitheft alarm are also delivered standard lineup-wide, as are the new-for-2015 turn-signal-integrated mirrors. The GT and Ralliart, meanwhile, offer standard front fog/driving lights that remain optional in the ES and SE, while rear parking sensors return as optional safety equipment in all trims.