Mitsubishi Lancer

Name: 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
Brand: Mitsubishi

RECALL ALERT: There are 9 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 9 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 9 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 9 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

While an improvement over the previous model, the redesigned Lancer scores only midpack in its class. While handling is agile and steering is responsive, lending the car a sporty feel, the ride borders on being too stiff. Further, the engine is noisy, and the brakes were disappointing. This Lancer also had subpar fit and finish, tight rear-seat headroom, and mediocre fuel economy.

2009 Small cars Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Mitsubishi Lancer

vs. Similar Cars

Honda Civic

Hyundai Elantra

Toyota Corolla

See All Models Reliability

Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Worse Better

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Mitsubishi vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash and Rollover Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2009 Small sedans Ratings

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer

$3,950 - $5,700

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Chevrolet Aveo

$3,425 - $3,750

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

$4,150 - $5,200

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Honda Civic

$4,900 - $7,625

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Hyundai Accent

$4,200 - $4,375

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Hyundai Elantra

$4,425 - $5,000

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Kia Spectra

$4,275 - $4,650

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Mazda 3

$4,900 - $6,100

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Nissan Sentra

$3,300 - $4,150

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Nissan Versa

$4,050 - $4,375

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Subaru Impreza

$5,225 - $14,000

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Suzuki SX4

$3,050 - $4,325

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Toyota Corolla

$6,350 - $6,650

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2009 Toyota Yaris

$4,950 - $6,675

CR MPG:

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Small sedans Ratings

Seating

2 front, 3 rear

Drive Wheels

AWD, Front

Warranty

Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

sedan

6-speed Sequential
5-speed Manual
CVT

2-liter 4 turbo (237 hp)
2-liter 4 (143 hp)
2-liter 4 (152 hp)
2-liter 4 turbo (291 hp)
2.4-liter 4 (168 hp)

Model History

2008-

Current Generation

The 2008 Lancer redesign brought great improvements, including a decent ride and fairly agile handling. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder has good acceleration, but the engine is sluggish from a stop, tends to moan at high revs, and returns uncompetitive fuel economy. The cabin is furnished with drab plastics, but the controls are simple to use. The sporty, AWD Ralliart is quick and agile. But it's also noisier, has a stiff ride, and its automated manual transmission is annoying during all but the most spirited drives. The high-performance Lancer Evolution is a turbocharged all-wheel-drive rally car for the road. It's furiously fast, but grating to live with on a daily basis for drivers who aren't willing to compromise comfort for performance. The Lancer has been discontinued for 2018.

2002-2007

2002 Redesign Year

This iteration of the Lancer is an unimpressive compact sedan. Slow, with clumsy handling and poor ride quality, the model trailed the compact sedan field of its day. While the interior is spacious, the seats are uncomfortable and noise levels are quite high. The model also earned a Poor ranking in IIHS side-crash testing.