Mitsubishi Lancer EX GT 2.0 MIVEC 6CVT Review
Instant makeover

Family cars aren’t numero uno on a yuppie’s car list. They’re safe, but boring choices. Yuppies want a car that’s always the topic of conversation at water coolers – the sort that even their fellow yuppies also desire. And during these conversations, certain hot hatches will be mentioned alongside a particular Teutonic make. 

The Lancer used to be one of those safe bets when it came to choosing a family sedan. Unless you’re talking about one of the Evolution models, there’s nothing remotely exciting about them. But some time ago, Mitsubishi stunned us all when it introduced the new Lancer EX – one with no more conservative styling. Instead of “safe but boring”, the Lancer EX looked spontaneous and unpredictable.   

Carmakers typically wait a few years before giving their models a makeover, but it seems like Mitsubishi is bucking this trend. Less than two years in the market, Mitsubishi has already seen it fit to give the Lancer EX a makeover – in the form of more “bling”.

The most obvious detail here is the chrome trim around the car’s aggressive front snout.  It adds to the car’s presence, but somehow, we feel a more subdued matte finish is better suited to the EX GT’s sportier nature. The lower lip is a nice touch though.

There are reshaped fog lamps, and new chrome trimming that runs along the car’s belt line. Follow those lines to the rear and you’ll be greeted by new, better-looking rear combination lamps. And yes, there’s another slab of chrome here - this time, it’s sitting just above the rear bumper.

The 18-inch alloy wheels are still present on the GT models, ensuring that this mildly updated version remains largely similar to the original one.