The first thing I noticed about the Lancer was how roomy it is. The compact exterior belies its inner width, providing plenty of arm room in the front and enough space in the back for three kids to be content for about 50 kilometres before their first fight.
The boot is surprisingly spacious too, its 400 litres made larger by the split rear seats that fold flat.
The LX version has a few bells and whistles but there aren’t too many buttons, thanks mainly to the user-friendly touch screen that controls the radio, MP3 and CD player (with six-speaker stereo), phone and reverse camera display. The Bluetooth connection is hassle free.
Most of the functions on the touch screen, as well as cruise control, can be operated via buttons on the steering wheel. They’re easy to use while still concentrating on the road, although I kept hanging up on incoming calls because the answer and end-call buttons are close together and a little hard to distinguish at first.
There’s also voice control, which works well.
The business end of the dashboard is nice to look at with nothing obscured by the steering wheel. Gauges are limited to the tacho and speedometer. Temperature and fuel level displays are on a small, multi-function digital screen which also has trip computer data
such as fuel consumption and kilometres until empty.
The designers have gone with simplicity rather than wannabe jet-fighter cockpit, and it works.
The leather seats are comfortable and heated in the front. I was sceptical of this feature until a drive from Geelong on a particularly cold and wet day where it proved rather sublime.
Unlike the 2002 Lancer coupe I once owned, this Lancer LX doesn’t exude raciness to look at, but the 2.0 litre engine doesn’t let you down on a freeway entrance. It sits comfortably at 2000rpm at 100km/h (using just 5 litres/per 100km on a flat deck), which you’ll easily exceed if not paying attention.
The CVT automatic transmission has the Sportronic option, which provides clutch-free manual gear shifting that lets you channel the Lancer’s rally heritage. It shoots off like a rocket in first gear.
In full auto mode the gear changes are smooth, and there’s none of the lag that you often get with smaller cars.
The LX will set you back $2000 more than the base ES model, but for that you get a host of extras including a display audio system and reversing camera and sensors, leather trim, sports seats and leather steering wheel. It also has chrome accents and door handles, which enhance the Lancer’s, shall we say, familiar exterior.
