2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

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2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
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Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
Photos
Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
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Key Specs

of the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. Base trim shown.

  • Body Type:
    Hatchback See similar vehicles
  • Combined MPG:
    25-28 Combined MPG
  • Engine:
    148-hp, 2.0-liter I-4 (regular gas)
  • Drivetrain:
    Front-wheel Drive
  • Transmission:
    6-speed CVT w/OD
  • View more specs

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Slick manual shifter
  • Playful handling
  • Cargo room with backseat folded

The Bad

  • Cabin can get noisy on the highway
  • Cargo area with seats up isn't much bigger than sedan's
  • Radio skimps on buttons
  • Design looks a little truncated from some angles

Notable Features of the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

  • Unique hatchback styling
  • Available 168-hp four-cylinder
  • Manual or automatic
  • Front-wheel drive

2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview

The five-seat Lancer Sportback hatchback is offered with a choice of two normally aspirated four-cylinder engines. Competitors include the Subaru Impreza and Mazda3. The Lancer sedan and high-performance Lancer Evolution are covered in separate reports in the Cars.com Research section.

New for 2012
The high-performance Ralliart trim has been discontinued, leaving just ES and GT (formerly GTS) trim levels with front-wheel drive. The GT version adds a Ralliart-type front end, new 18-inch wheels, upgraded soft-touch door trim, and new interior fabric and instrument-panel trim.

Exterior
The Lancer Sportback retains the general design cues of the Lancer sedan in front, but it takes on a different look at the rear. The Sportback's liftgate is raked forward at an aggressive angle for a hatchback, and the overall look is a little ungainly from some angles. A rear spoiler near the roof finishes off the design. Exterior features include:

  • Standard 16-inch wheels
  • Available 18-inch wheels
  • Available fog lights
  • Available power glass sunroof
  • Available rain-sensing windshield wipers

Interior
Like the Lancer sedan, the Sportback has room for up to five people in two rows of seats. The big difference between the two cars is in the cargo area. Although the Lancer sedan is available with an optional split-folding backseat to increase luggage space, the shape of the car limits what you can fit in the trunk. With the Sportback, some of those restrictions aren't there because ...

Vehicle Overview

The five-seat Lancer Sportback hatchback is offered with a choice of two normally aspirated four-cylinder engines. Competitors include the Subaru Impreza and Mazda3. The Lancer sedan and high-performance Lancer Evolution are covered in separate reports in the Cars.com Research section.

New for 2012
The high-performance Ralliart trim has been discontinued, leaving just ES and GT (formerly GTS) trim levels with front-wheel drive. The GT version adds a Ralliart-type front end, new 18-inch wheels, upgraded soft-touch door trim, and new interior fabric and instrument-panel trim.

Exterior
The Lancer Sportback retains the general design cues of the Lancer sedan in front, but it takes on a different look at the rear. The Sportback's liftgate is raked forward at an aggressive angle for a hatchback, and the overall look is a little ungainly from some angles. A rear spoiler near the roof finishes off the design. Exterior features include:

  • Standard 16-inch wheels
  • Available 18-inch wheels
  • Available fog lights
  • Available power glass sunroof
  • Available rain-sensing windshield wipers

Interior
Like the Lancer sedan, the Sportback has room for up to five people in two rows of seats. The big difference between the two cars is in the cargo area. Although the Lancer sedan is available with an optional split-folding backseat to increase luggage space, the shape of the car limits what you can fit in the trunk. With the Sportback, some of those restrictions aren't there because of its open cargo area, which has a maximum volume of 52.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Interior features include:

  • Available USB port
  • Available Rockford Fosgate stereo with a subwoofer
  • Available heated leather seats

Under the Hood
The front-wheel-drive Lancer Sportback offers a choice of two engines. Mechanical features include:

  • Standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes 148 horsepower with either a standard five-speed manual or optional continuously variable automatic transmission
  • GT has a 168-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder with either a five-speed manual or CVT

Safety
Standard safety features include:

  • Side-impact airbags for the front seats
  • Side curtain airbags for both rows
  • Knee airbag for the driver
  • Antilock brakes
  • Electronic stability system



View 4 Photos

Latest 2012 Lancer Sportback Stories

See all 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.0
1 review
Exterior Styling
(5.0)
Performance
(4.0)
Interior Design
(4.0)
Comfort
(4.0)
Reliability
(5.0)
Value For The Money
(5.0)

What Drivers Are Saying

(4.0)

Great car for the money.

by Dmhc Man from Dayton Ohio on August 26, 2012

If your looking for a for space and looks this would be one to look at. Great warranty. Be weary of insurance rates. Because there are not many of these cars in the states, it cheaper to insure a $80,... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback currently has 1 recall

Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback has not been tested.

Manufacturer Warranties

Backed by Mitsubishi
New Car Program Benefits

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    60 months / 60,000 miles

  • Powertrain

    120 months / 100,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    60 months / unlimited distance

Certified Pre-Owned Program Benefits

  • Maximum Age/Mileage

    Less than 5 years/less than 60,000 miles

  • Basic Warranty Terms

    Remainder of original 5 years/60,000 miles

  • Powertrain warranty

    Remainder of original 10-year/100,000 miles

  • Dealer Certification Required

    123-point inspection

  • Roadside Assistance

    Yes

  • View All Program Details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs or visit the manufacturer's website .

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Lancer Sportback received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker