I'm planning to post my review of the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart tomorrow, provided my friends at American Airlines don't strand me someplace without Internet connectivity. Since the review isn't quite ready to go, I thought you'd like to have a closer look at the car -- and as always, you'll find details (and even a bit of editorial opinion) in the captions. Check out my 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart photo gallery. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
I’m not a fan of hatchbacks. They just aren’t useful to me. I really don’t like the styling of the Lancer sedan. Although it certainly has character, it looks just plain weird. I do have to say, though, that this version of the car actually makes the Lancer look halfway decent.
Still won’t buy one.
I think the Sportback is absolutley gorgeous. I wish they’d make an Evo GSR version. The rear-end styling is great, even though it sacrifices some capacity. But I usually pick function over form, and I felt the Mazdaspeed3 had this thing beat in spades after test driving both (so I bought the Speed3).
I’m willing to bet dollars to donuts the GTS model ends up being more fun to drive than the Ralliart…because I’ve still got the same complaint about the Ralliart, the total omission of a clutch. That easily knocks 3 points off on a 10 point scale. Not to mention it’s overpriced by about $2k.
So I predict Aaron’s review will say that the Ralliart is only about as quick as it’s cheif competitor, the Impreza 2.5GT (it doesn’t feel remarkably quicker than the GTS, like comparing a GTI vs. an R32), but definitely handles better than both the Subaru 2.5GT and WRX, and then gives it 4/5 stars (I’d give it 3.5).
so basically they tried to make it look like an Impreza
I hate the wide mouth of a grill. Looks like a bird at feeding time.
Having sold Mitsu’s as recently as last year, I found the previous Ralliart version to be the best of the Lancer (Hate that name!) bunch… as far as a daily driver with a high fun quotient. Evo was awesome, but not to live with on a daily basis. The Ralliart seemed like a great balance. Compared to the Subie? Well, I believe the Mitsu warranty is better, which is a deal maker for me.
It seems when Subaru released the hatchback Impreza into the market, Mitsubishi waited a while to see if it will sell. When they saw it did, they just followed the same trend.
Now what I’d like to see is a hatchback version of the next EVO, and have it go head-to-head against the hatchback Impreza.