2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart

A sporty, five door hatchback that puts the fun into driving!

Sometimes word pairs put a smile on ones face, this was the case when a call came in announcing that I would be spending a week with the 2010 Lancer Sportback Ralliart. All I could do was grin.

The hatchback version of the Lancer four door sedan is simply a blast to drive! Add the optional ultra-supportive Recaro sports seats and the sensory overload explodes. Yes, for some, who may have a J-Lo-esque rear rump, these super-sport seats may be a tad too supportive, for others, specially the Gen X crowd, they see them as the perfect seats to have for a vehicle like the Lancer Sportback Ralliart.

The front will look familiar, as it is all Mitsubishi, featuring the now standard corporate signature grille design as well as the cool looking boy racer, NACA inspired center air intake. The rear hatch glass area features a dramatic spoiler that also acts as a nifty sun shade for the rear passengers. Below the bumper, there are two chromed sporty exhaust tips that keep with the Ralliart persona and look.

Inside the Lancer Sportback Ralliart there is a mix of sport-sedan together with a clean, modern look that is typical of the Lancer. We love the steering column-mounted magnesium paddle shifters that are simply a delight to use. The rest of the dash layout is simple enough to be almost minimalist, yet all of the needed accoutrements are there. Rear seat is comfortable for two, snug for three. Cargo room in the Sportback version is much greater than the sedan, thanks to the flexibility of the hatchback, as well as the ability to flick a lever and fold the rear seats forward. Presto! You have an instant mini SUV.

Mitsubishi and its Lancer series has carved a well deserved reputation for having impeccable handling manners, and the Sportback Ralliart didn’t disappoint one bit. Some say that its slow off the line due to the lazy turbo spool up, but we found it to be quite the opposite, with excellent throttle response and oh, those glorious paddle up-shifts! The 4 cylinder, 237 HP turbo engine felt strong and competent, only when pushing it to its highest revs does the power-plant give up some of its smoothness and becomes a bit buzzy, typical of most 4 cylinder engines. The brake discs and calipers are large, giving us a good reason to sample some hard stops to try out their performance and they came through with flying colors. Pedal feel is excellent and so is the control, and the lack of fade even at threshold braking.

Interestingly enough, during our one week sojourn with the Lancer Sportback Ralliart, we hardly got a glance. Only the Mitsubishi aficionados really knew what this car was, making it a bit stealthy and definitely a low key alternative to the sometimes, in-your-face sports versions of some sedans. Even though the Sportback offers greater flexibility in cargo space, we still find the sedan a tad more attractive overall though. Regardless, this is one fun hatchback to flick around the curves.

Comfortable, capable and fun to drive; the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart is an excellent, well rounded vehicle, suited for an active and sporty lifestyle.

The Essentials:

• MSRP: $27,590.00 MSRP (As tested): $31,210.00
• Fuel Economy (Observed): 18.5 MPH
• Engine: Inline 4 cylinder turbocharged, 2.0 liter, 237 HP
• Popular Options: Recaro Sports Package
• visit: www.mitsubishicars.com