Mitsubishi Lancer wagon 2005 review

The sole wagon in its range, with the end of the Magna, is the recently re-engined Lancer Sportswagon.

In a dwindling market, where Toyota Corolla and Holden Astra are effectively its sole competitors, the Lancer wagon is aimed at family men. Which does make the only colour of its top of the range VR-X — bright canary yellow — a bit of a strange choice.

The wagon comes in only two model variants, the base ES, and the range-topping VR-X, which was the test car.

Power is now provided by the 2.4-litre MIVEC four-cylinder first seen in the make's larger people mover, the Grandis.

Extensive testing by CARSguide of that car has shown the engine is clearly capable of hauling a large family on holidays and several adults on a golfing trip without any complaints about lack of power.

Therefore the engine is well at home in the smaller wagon. Mitsubishi claims the new engine has a 25 per cent boost in power and a 27 per cent increase in torque over its 2.0-litre predecessor, which is retained in the ES base sedan model. Both wagons have the larger 2.4-litre MIVEC engine which boasts figures of 115kW at 5750rpm and 220Nm at 3500rpm.

To assist the power increase, the braking package has also been upgraded.

Features abound on the VR-X.

On the outside it has a new "Evo-influenced" mesh grille, while standard bumpers now replace the previous extended rear bumpers.

The large tail-light assembly is certainly striking and indeed, it's an effective and bright warning to other motorists.

Sportswagon's 16-inch alloy wheels are left over from the previous model. And inside there's a four-spoke leather steering wheel, sports pedals, a six CD, in-dash stacker and now automatic climate control air-conditioning replaces the manual operation of the previous model.

Safety-wise, there are three-point seat belts for all the wagon's five seats.

Two-tone cloth trim adds appeal to the otherwise black interior.

Driver and passenger airbags are standard here, while side and curtain airbags can be had as a $1500 option. The driver's seating position is well adjustable and the control panel clear to read. The Sportswagon's ride and handling is also up to the standard that would be expected in this price range.

The VR-X models have a 15mm lowered sport suspension and a front strut tower brace fitted as standard equipment, which does improve the ride.

Now, the key reason for owning a wagon is in the load-carrying space.

Tested with a family-sized load of groceries, there was plenty of room. A retractable cover over the load is provided for security and to help shield items from heat.

The rear seats have a 60:40 split and folding them down is fairly straightforward to provide room for longer loads. Priced at $31,490 manual and $33,990 auto, the VR-X wagon has few extras. Apart from the aforementioned extra airbags, there's just a power sunroof at $1600 and metallic/pearlescent paint at $300.

At a mid-$30,000 total, that puts it in the price range of the cheapest medium 4WDs, larger wagons and in fact comes dearer than some people movers.

These cars offer more space but at the cost in some cases of poorer fuel efficiency and being harder to manoeuvre and park around town. Mitsubishi says it is aiming for a modest 200 wagons a month — and 10 per cent will be the VR-X Sportswagon.

And clearly, the battle to save the Aussie wagon is becoming a real struggle.