Say hello to the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer and wish it farewell. Overshadowed for years by perennial favorites and fast-charging newcomers, the 2017 model is the compact car’s last year.
With plans to stop Lancer production in August, Mitsubishi will continue to emphasize its popular sport utility vehicle and crossover lineup.
Key Takeaways
- Final model year for the Lancer nameplate: Mitsubishi ended Lancer production in August 2017, closing the book on a compact sedan nameplate that had been in continuous production since 1973.
- Sales collapse preceded the discontinuation: Just 14,304 units sold in 2016 against segment rivals moving 300,000+ annually. The gap made the business case untenable.
- 148-horsepower 2.4L four with available all-wheel drive: Mitsubishi’s All Wheel Control (AWC) system is rare in the compact sedan class, but it wasn’t enough to offset other deficiencies.
- SEL tested at $24,430 as-equipped: Base MSRP is $22,095. The tested SEL with the $1,500 Sun and Sound package reached $24,430 — approaching Honda Civic Sport territory.
- Rockford Fosgate 9-speaker audio with trunk subwoofer: The Sun and Sound package includes a subwoofer substantial enough that it reduces trunk volume from 12.3 to 11.8 cubic feet.
For its final year, the Lancer has improved technology: a rearview camera and a 6.1-inch center screen standard. But the updates won’t reach many buyers. With competitors like the Honda Civic, Madza3, Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte, the Lancer lost its luster with only 14,304 units sold in 2016.
The Weekly Driver Test Drive
Manufactured since 1973, the Mitsubishi Lancer has arguably had more names than any car, the Dodge/Plymouth Colt to the Galant Fortis and the Eagle Summit to the Soueast Lioncel. The Lancer name is derived from the name of a cavalry soldier armed with a Lance. It’s an odd name for a car, and it doesn’t help the disappearing car’s image.
Available in three trims, I drove the top-line SEL. It’s equipped with a 2.4-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder engined with 148 horsepower.
The SEL includes the lengthy collection of standard features from the ES and SE models, but a strong collection of upgrades. The list includes: Automatic headlights, automatic wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, upgraded interior trim, leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
The optional Sun and Sound Package ($1,500.00) was also included and featured a power glass sunroof, an impressive Rockford Fosgate audio system with nine speakers, including a monstrous sub-woofer in the trunk.
Driving the Lancer is frustrating. It’s comfortable and provides good overall space for front and back seat occupant. And give Mitsubishi credit. It offers the Lancer with an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system called All Wheel Control. It’s a rare feature compact sedans.
But that’s about it for the Lancer’s positive attributes. While handling is satisfactory, acceleration is sluggish and the overall ride is rough and loud.
The interior is a mix of plainness and cheap-looking plastic. A small trunk (12.3 cubic feet) gets smaller (11.8 cubic feet) with the massive sub-woof installed. The 60/40-split rear seatbacks help alleviate some cargo space limitations.
Mitsubishi took the basics and added a few unexpected niceties. But the combination doesn’t help the Lancer get closer to its top-selling competitors.
Likes: Available all-wheel drive, rare in compact sedans. Lots of standard features. Nimble handling.
Dislikes: Mediocre gas mileage. Poor truck space. Poor interior material quality. Noisy engine, rough ride.
What We Like
- Available All Wheel Control (AWC) all-wheel drive rare in the segment
- Rockford Fosgate 9-speaker audio with trunk subwoofer
- Nimble handling despite aging chassis
- 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
- Standard 6.1-inch touchscreen with rearview camera
What We Don’t
- Noisy engine and rough ride quality
- Cheap-feeling interior plastics
- Small 12.3 cubic foot trunk shrinks with subwoofer option
- 23 city / 30 highway mpg trails compact rivals
- Sluggish acceleration even with the 2.4L engine
Facts & Figures: 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L 16-valve 4-cylinder (SEL) |
| Horsepower | 148 |
| Transmission | CVT (AV-S6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive or AWC All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Economy | 23 city / 30 hwy / 26 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Airbags | 7 |
| Warranty | Bumper-to-bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles; Powertrain, 10 years/100,000 miles |
| Acceleration | 0-60 mph, 8.0 seconds |
| Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price | $22,095 |
| Price As Tested | $24,430 |
How It Compares
| Vehicle | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2017 Honda Civic | |
| 2017 Toyota Corolla | |
| 2017 Mazda Mazda3 | |
| 2017 Hyundai Elantra | |
| 2017 Kia Forte | |
| 2017 Nissan Sentra |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Mitsubishi Lancer discontinued?
Sales had collapsed to 14,304 units in 2016 against rivals moving 300,000-plus per year, making the business case untenable. Mitsubishi pivoted to its crossover and SUV lineup, ending Lancer production in August 2017.
How much horsepower does the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer SEL have?
The 2.4-liter 16-valve four-cylinder produces 148 horsepower in the top SEL trim, routed through a CVT and driving the front wheels.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Lancer?
EPA ratings are 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined on regular gasoline — meaningfully behind comparable compact sedans.
Does the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer offer all-wheel drive?
Yes. Mitsubishi’s All Wheel Control (AWC) system is available on the Lancer — one of the few compact sedans in its era to offer true AWD.
How much does the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer cost?
The SEL trim carries a base MSRP of $22,095. As-tested with the $1,500 Sun and Sound package, the review vehicle reached $24,430.
Is the 2017 Lancer related to the Lancer Evolution?
Yes, the Lancer Evolution (Evo) was a high-performance turbocharged AWD variant built on the same chassis family. The Evo ended production in 2015, preceding the regular Lancer’s 2017 finale.
What is the Lancer’s cargo capacity?
12.3 cubic feet of trunk volume standard. With the Sun and Sound package’s trunk-mounted subwoofer installed, volume drops to 11.8 cubic feet. The 60/40-split rear seats fold for longer cargo.
What are the main rivals to the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Primary competitors include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, and Nissan Sentra in the compact sedan segment.
Article Last Updated: May 2, 2026.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
Interesting. Looks like Mitsubishi used (or was influenced by) a design concepts from Korean Kia/Huyundai cars. Nonetheless, this car looks fresh.