Mitsubishi Evolution Summary
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was the Japanese brand's racer-inspired road warrior. Underneath the slightly anonymous looks were the guts of an all-wheel drive race car.
Despite its four-door sedan shape, the Lancer Evolution was not what you'd call a family cruiser. It boasted a powerful turbocharged engine and sharp handling and came with either a five-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Not many features or design elements changed over the course of its production from 2008 to 2015, but that's because the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution knew its crowd: performance enthusiasts.
Mitsubishi Evolution Safety
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution doesn't skimp on safety features. All Lancer Evolution models include the following features as standard:
- Seven airbags, including one for the driver's knees
- Tire pressure monitoring system to ensure proper inflation when driving
- Anti-theft immobilizer with security alarm
Additionally, every Lancer Evolution across the years and trim levels features a standard anti-lock braking system (ABS), active stability control (ASC) and traction control logic (TCL). These systems work together to apply brake pressure to any individual wheel, ensuring you remain in control.
Mitsubishi Evolution Interior
The cockpit of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is focused on one thing: the act of driving. It starts with the sporty, contoured Recaro front seats, which are cloth and heated in the standard trim. Leather bucket seats are available with the MR trim, which was introduced in 2005. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob are also standard. Aluminum sport pedals provide extra grip for your shoes during spirited driving.
One common criticism of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is its poor interior trim quality. To hit its performance goals at such a competitive price, the expensive items in the Lancer Evolution lie under the surface.
Mitsubishi Evolution Technology
From 2008, all base-model Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions in the GSR trim come with these standard features:
- Automatic climate control and cruise control for comfort and safety on the road
- Bluetooth hands-free for listening to music or making calls
- Six-speaker audio system for top-quality sound
The MR Technology package, also as of the 2008 model year, offers Sirius satellite radio and a 7.5-inch touchscreen with navigation system.
One of the most unique Mitsubishi Evolution features is the Drive Mode Selector with three driving modes to choose from: tarmac, gravel and snow. It uses advanced 4x4-system electronic driver aids to distribute power to any wheel for peak cornering performance on the selected surface.
Mitsubishi Evolution Space
With roots as a compact economy sedan, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution seats five people. Front-row passengers enjoy more elbow, headroom and legroom while back seat passengers might feel more cramped. An optional power sunroof gives the illusion of more space.
Mitsubishi Evolution Comfort
The Lancer Evolution's comfort level depends on your priorities. If having a supremely capable car no matter the road or weather conditions, then the Lancer Evolution is for you. If a smooth drive is more your thing, you may want to look elsewhere.
The Mitsubishi Evolution engine is a powerhouse. Its turbo power and short gearing provide plenty of get-up-and-go. Just remember, like all high-performance cars, its fuel consumption will be higher.
