Mitsubishi Lancer EX GT 2.0 MIVEC 5MT Review: Desafío con la evolución

Spin to hell it shall not, as when provoked, the Lancer drifts into a gentle and easily controllable slide that provokes you for more. Through corners, the maximum we recorded on our G metre was 0.85 - thoroughly impressive for a car of its class, putting it in the same “cornering league" as the smaller and nimble MINI Cooper.

Make no mistake – this is the car for the family man who is past his midlife crisis, and wants his share of on road fun.

The only major gripes that I have, is with the sound of the engine (try the trademark Homer Simpson strangling Bart) and steering, which does not have a precise centre. There is a fair amount of free play before things start to happen. The steering ratios of such a sporting sedan such as this deserve to be more direct.

For the $75,000 - $82,000 price range, there are a million other cars than the EX GT. For example, the Honda Civic 2.0 Si, the Nissan Sylphy, and even a Volkswagen Jetta 1.6 if Germans are your cup of tea.

However, if you do like Mitsubishi, then you will appreciate that this is a car, crafted with attention to detail and the bodywork, foglights, sport seats, anti-roll bars, aggressive suspension geometry and 215/45R18 Yokohama Advan tires.

It is a car that greets you at the start of your hectic day, and a car that says goodbye when you turn the engine off.

It is also a car that delivers a near perfect compromise in performance and anorexic fuel consuming abilities.

Above all, it is a car made for those who care about driving.

Never have we experienced a Lancer as accomplished as this. Finally, a message for all you lazy, clutchless aficionados that have left legs as strong as your right - do yourself a favour and get the manual. You won’t regret it.

Credits: Text and Photos by Amery Reuben