Overall rating:

The latest changes and upgrades undoubtedly raise the Lancer's game but it's almost exclusively from the value perspective. As a family car it makes a lot of sense on a financial level and, if you must have a new car, offers about as much bang for your buck as can be scored in this price region. However, judged on merit, it lags rivals significantly and finds itself outgunned on every other front. It isn't a bad car, but it's hard to recommend over alternatives such as the Hyundai i30.

Key Facts

Model tested: Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 2.0 DI-D Juro
Pricing: £14,999 (data correct as at 19 December 2011)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door hatchback
Rivals: Hyundai i30, Kia cee'd, Mazda3
CO₂ emissions: 165g/km
Combined economy: 44.8mpg
Top speed: 127mph
0-62mph: 9.6 seconds
Power: 138bhp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 228lb.ft at 1,750rpm

Inside & Out:

Externally, it's business as usual for the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback; the Juro special edition makes do with 16-inch rims, which is just fine for most buyers (18s are available on GS derivatives) and discrete badging is all that marks it out as different. On the inside the integration of a trick Kenwood head unit yields the benefit of Bluetooth, iPod connectivity, satnav and a reversing camera all in one place. This myriad of gadgetry is perhaps the biggest addition to this model.

Alas, the few additions do not lift the Lancer's interior clear of the doldrums and it is comprehensively trumped by every rival's interior, bar none. The cheap looking materials are ever present and the whole feel remains sub-standard for the class. Lancer interiors have always lagged those of the competition and having closed the gap somewhat with the new model, things have moved on again such that Mitsubishi is left trailing again. Of particular significance are the lack of comfort and support offered by the seats over longer distances and the poor look and feel of the switchgear.

Ride & Handling:

This is perhaps the category that differentiates the normal Mitsubishi Lancer from its Evo brethren most tellingly. The Sportback is slightly misnamed, as there's not much sportiness around the way it goes about its business. It's not a car that invites you to grab it by the scruff of the neck and have a play; nor is it something that you'd get in to drive for the sake of it. The steering is accurate and there's plenty of grip, but there's an impenetrable layer of numbness in the controls and the chassis that prevents the bond between car and driver forming. However, as a more pedestrian family chariot it performs adequately and rides smoothly, with only an excessive amount of noise, through suspension and wind rush, marring events at a gentler pace.

Engine & Transmission:

Mitsubishi's now familiar two-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine sees service here in 138bhp form, with 228lb.ft of torque being the more relevant figure for day-to-day driving. It's a gutsy performer, providing plenty of low down urge and credible performance figures with 0-62mph in 9.6 seconds and a maximum speed just shy of 130mph. It lags the best offering from rivals though, both on economy and refinement with an average of only 37mpg during our week with the car and vocal nature that never truly disappears, even at a gentle cruise.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

At a list price of £14,999 the Lancer Juro offers an awful lot for the outlay. It's a roomy cabin, with a generous load space, is well equipped as standard and safe, too, thanks to the numerous airbags and active chassis dynamic aids. In addition to this, Mitsubishi's service plan packages take the expense out of routine maintenance and the diesel engine offers decent economy. Overall, as a financial proposition the Juro makes a good deal of sense, though bear in mind that depreciation is likely to be heavy and some haggling is needed at purchase time to offset some of that cost.