2012 Mitsubishi Lancer: Car Seat Check

The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer is a small sedan that takes an aggressive stance with its forward-leaning grille. For parents trying to hold onto their carefree past, the top-of-the-line Lancer Ralliart trim adds some excitement with a gaping grille, hood scoop and turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Lancer seats five.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Named Top Safety Pick

The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer is the latest vehicle to earn Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

To earn the award, a vehicle must receive the top rating of Good in a front, side, rear and rollover crash tests. A vehicle also must have electronic stability control; this feature is standard on the Lancer. 

The Lancer is the first Mitsubishi to earn Top Safety Pick status since IIHS instituted its new rollover test. To pass this roof-strength test, a vehicle must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. Current federal standards only require a roof to hold 1.5 times its strength. As a result, many of the vehicles that had previously qualified as Top Safety Picks fell off the list in 2010.

For additional information about other IIHS Top Safety Pick award winners go here. 

2010|Mitsubishi|Lancer

Today's News From the Cars.com Family

At Ask.cars.com, a reader wants to know how new 2011 model-year vehicles affect the prices of the remaining 2010 stock. Over at PickupTrucks.com, we get an exciting first look at the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali 3500HD dually. Finally, at MotherProof.com, the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart is put through the wringer as it helps to make a girl’s 10th birthday everything it needs to be. 

• How Will the New Models Arriving Affect Prices of the 2010 Vehicles on a Lot? (Ask.cars.com) 
• Debut Pictures of the 2011 GMC Sierra Denali 3500HD Dually (PickupTrucks.com) 
• Mitsu Sportback Test Drive: Driving Through the Ages (MotherProof.com)

Recall Alert: 2008-09 Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evolution

Mitsubishi is recalling 29,353 Lancers and Lancer Evolutions from the 2008-09 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration.

In areas where road salt is used in the winter, long-term exposure to a mixture of melted snow and salt may cause it to adhere to the car’s front-impact sensors. This recall affects vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

This water-salt coating may cause corrosion on the sensor. In a crash that would deploy the airbags, this type of short circuit may cause a delay in the airbag deployment, which would result in injuries to the driver or passenger.  

Dealers will install new front-airbag sensors that have improved corrosion resistance for free. This recall is expected to begin by Nov. 27.

For more information, owners can call Mitsubishi at 714-372-6000 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

Cars.com Reviews the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

Fun, stylish, sporty aren’t necessarily words you’d associate with a hatchback, which is likely how the term “sportback” was invented. Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley says some packaging combinations like wine in a box don’t always put the product in the best light. Read his full review of the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback to find out why this package may be pleasantly deceiving.

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Review

2010|Mitsubishi|Lancer

Cars.com Podcast: Two Hatches, One Podcast

This week, Cars.com editors Mike Hanley, Kelsey Mays and Joe Wiesenfelder examine two cars with a rear hatch that haven’t taken the auto world by storm. Find out why the new 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback and the 2009 Infiniti EX35 haven’t warmed the hearts of our staff.

You can download the podcast via iTunes here or listen to it in your browser here.

2010|Mitsubishi|Lancer

2009|Infiniti|EX

2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Video

The Mitsubishi Lancer hatchback made a brief appearance in the marketplace way back in 2004, but the model only lasted a year. Mitsubishi is trying its hand again with the 2010 Lancer Sportback, hoping to combine sleek styling, performance and utility in a versatile package. From front to back, Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley takes you through the Lancer Sportback in this video.

2010|Mitsubishi|Lancer

Recall Alert: 2008-2009 Mitsubishi Lancer

Mitsubishi has issued a recall for 6,903 Lancer Evolution, Ralliart and Sportback vehicles from the 2008-2009 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects vehicles with turbocharged engines because of the way the fuel return pipe is attached to the engine. Frequent operation of the vehicle at certain engine revolutions could result in damage that may cause a stress crack to develop at the fixed portion of the fuel pipe.

If the stress crack develops, the pipe could leak fuel, and if an ignition source is present, start a fire.

Mitsubishi will replace the fuel return pipe and add two attachment brackets to tamp down fuel-pipe vibrations. Dealers will perform this service free of charge.

Owners may contact Mitsubishi at 888-648-7820 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

Navigating the tricky — and occasionally downright inscrutable — world of vehicle trim levels can be a headache for any car buyer. Even the experts. But Cars.com’s Joe Wiesenfelder finds that when it comes to the Ralliart version of the Mitsubishi Lancer, the automaker has a real winner. Wiesenfelder explains how the Ralliart splits the difference between the regular Lancer and the top-shelf Lancer Evolution so well.

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Review

2009|Mitsubishi|Lancer

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Video

There’s a big step up in terms of price and performance from the Mitsubishi Lancer to the Lancer Evolution. Enter the Lancer Ralliart, which fills the space between the two. Is the Ralliart a toned-down Evolution or a stepped-up Lancer? Are the differences substantive or simply cosmetic? Cars.com’s Joe Wiesenfelder examines these questions in his video review.

2009|Mitsubishi|Lancer