2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Reviews

The CJ Lancer arrived in 2007 with plenty of promise.Compared to the previous model the CJ had fresh looks, a longer wheelbase and wider track for more cabin space, and there was more equipment.In an increasingly crowded, and hotly contested small car market, it tended to blend into the background rather than stand out, but anyone who cared to take a closer look would have discovered a solid, well built, and reliable car.The CJ range offered a choice of four-door sedan and five-door hatch body styles, and a range of models to suit most needs and desires.Most were front-wheel drive, but there were also sizzling hot four-wheel drive models to satisfy wanna-be rally drivers.At launch, everyday motorists had the option of the entry-level ES, the VR mid-ranger, and the sporty VR-X, with the Aspire, Activ, RX, and SX, added to the range in the following months and years.Weekend warriors could satisfy their need for speed with the rally-bred Ralliart and Evolution models.Standard features in the ES included air-conditioning, four-speaker sound with CD player and MP3 compatibility, cruise control, driver’s footrest, intermittent wipers, multi-function control screen, power windows and mirrors, cloth trim, trip computer, and tachometer.It had steel wheels and full wheel covers, and the spare tyre was a space saver.Metallic and pearl paint could be ordered as options.Had you chosen the VR you would have got all of that plus alloy wheels, six-speaker sound with CD stacker, air-conditioning with climate control, fog lamps, leather-trimmed, multi-function steering wheel and hand brake lever, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, and a sporty rear spoiler and side skirts.The list of standard features was even longer with the VR-X, and included 18-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth to allow you to connect your iPhone or Android device, sports seats, sports pedals, keyless start, a body kit with high rear spoiler, and a front strut brace to aid handling. High end Rockford audio and a sunroof were available as options.The four-wheel drive, turbocharged Evolution, or Evo, was Mitsubishi’s nod to its rally participation. It had everything you could imagine in a rally special, with sports suspension, a wild body kit, sports instruments, sports seats and a sporty steering wheel.For more there was the optional 'Performance Pack', which saw the suspension and brakes upgraded.An update in 2008 saw the introduction of the Aspire with a 2.4-litre engine.Standard features of the Aspire included 18-inch alloy wheels, leather trim with woodgrain highlights, a premium sound system with nine speakers, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, and fog lamps.At the same time the VR-X was upgraded with the 2.4-litre engine, and the Ralliart joined the Evolution on the performance front.The RX arrived in 2009 and it was positioned above the ES, and could be distinguished by alloy wheels, and the Activ came a year later.A reversing camera was added to the range, except for the ES, in 2012, but there were no parking sensors or a parking assist system.Sat nav was not available on the ES, but was available on other models in the range from 2013.The Lancer’s cabin was quite roomy for its size, with comfortable accommodation for five.Front seats were buckets, sports seats in the sporty models, and the rear was a split-fold seat for extra carrying capacity when needed.With the rear seat in the normal position the boot volume was 315 litres. With it folded the volume increased to 400 litres.There was plenty of storage spread around the cabin, with an in-dash glove box, a compartment in the console, pockets in the front doors and front seat backs, bottle holders, and cupholders in the front and rear.Most models had cloth trim, but up-range ones had leather, and some had woodgrain, as well.The main power source across the range was a double overhead camshaft 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with variable valve timing that put out 113kW (151 horsepower), and 198Nm at is power and torque peaks, which was enough to give it solid performance in the class.A larger 2.4-litre petrol four was added to the range in 2008, and with 125kW (167 horsepower), and 226Nm of torque, it provided more performance for those wanting a bit more zip.There was a five-speed manual gearbox available, but the transmission most buyers chose was the CVT, which was the automatic option.The quirky CVT was not everyone’s cup of tea, but with the option of a six-speed sports mode the Mitsubishi transmission didn’t feel as soggy as some others.With their connection to rallying the Evolution and Ralliart models had blistering performance delivered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.It was linked to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, in turn to a four-wheel drive system.The CJ Lancer was a capable and user-friendly small car. It did everything well and didn’t present anyone with any untoward challenges on the road.With independent front and rear suspension, even in base form, it was sure-footed, steered well, handled corners with assurance, and the ride was well damped.The steering was light, and the turning circle tight, making it easy to manoeuvre and park around town.Step up the model range and the picture was even better, with sportier handling from the lower and former suspension.Both engines were willing, the larger 2.4-litre unit had more torque to deliver smoother driveability, and for that reason, is a better choice than the 2.0-litre engine.Those inside were treated to comfortable seating with little external disturbance from road noise or other potentially annoying elements to bother them.The thrill-a-minute performance-tuned Ralliart and Evo models were different animals entirely; they were at their best competing on the track or in the forests.The CJ Lancer was well equipped with safety features.All models except the entry-level ES, which was rated at four stars, carried a five-star ANCAP rating from the introduction of the model.The difference in rating can be attributed to the ES not having head airbags for the front or side airbags for the front and rear seat passengers.Anyone wanting to upgrade the safety of the ES to five stars could have added an option pack of side and head airbags.That changed in 2010 when the ES got the additional head and side airbags and was upgraded to the same five stars as the other models.All models then had front airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, a knee airbag for the driver, head airbags for the front seat passengers, and side (curtain) airbags for those in the front and rear seats.All five seats had lap-sash seat belts, allowing the fitment of a baby car seat.The Lancer was one of the cars that had ISOFIX baby car seat mounting points before they were made mandatory in 2014.In addition to the passive safety features all models had ABS braking, EBD electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, and ESP electronic stability control.Except for the CVT and dual-clutch automatic transmissions the Lancer follows a well-proven formula.There’s nothing radical about it, nothing that should be cause for concern by anyone considering buying one second hand.Most owners were keen to praise the reliability of their cars, saying they were well built and were for the most part reliable.One issue that cropped up related to the operation of the ABS brakes as a result of the failure of the electronic module that controls the system.Owners said their first warning of the problem was when the warning light on the dash began flickering. It eventually stayed on; the ABS braking system was then not functioning.Check with the seller to see if there have been any problems with the braking system previously, and take note of the ABS warning light if it comes on.Another thing to focus on when test-driving a car is the operation of the automatic transmissions.No owner we spoke to raised any issues with either the CVT or the dual-clutch transmission, which suggests there are no problems with them, but the history of the transmissions in general says they are prone to problems. Observe the CVT for shuddering on take-off or when accelerating, hesitations, or any other thing that doesn’t feel right.In the case of the dual-clutch auto, observe for any hesitation on shifting, or incorrectly selecting neutral.Check for a service record to make sure your potential purchase has been well maintained.The recommended engine oil for the CJ Lancer is 5W-30, servicing should be every 15,000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first, and the engines have timing chains.Mitsubishi provided a generous new car warranty of five years/130,000km, and there was also five years roadside assistance.Capped price servicing was introduced in 2012 to keep a lid on service costs.There have been some recalls, mostly for electrical issues, so check the service book to see what if any recall reworks have been done.Buying a Ralliart or Evolution model requires extra caution when inspecting prior to purchase. As many will have been driven hard by enthusiast owners, or even used in motorsport competition, it’s important to check for signs of modification or abuse.MORE: If anything crops up, you’ll probably find it on our Mitsubishi Lancer problems page.K. Brigham: I bought my 2010 Activ new. It’s solidly built, very roomy, comfortable, gets good mileage, and there have been no problems with it at all.Anna Breinl: My 2007 VR-X is a great touring car, it’s comfortable, and it has been absolutely trouble-free.Patrick Firth: The 2013 ES feels sporty. I like the performance of the 2.0-litre engine, the manual gearbox is good, and I get good economy.Michael Beeston: I’ve owned my 2011 ES from new. It’s now done almost 100,000 km and there has been no problem with it at all. I like driving it, the handling is quite good, it’s safe, and the fuel economy is good.Apart from the Evo the Lancer wasn’t very exciting, but it was a solid and reliable all-rounder.

Graham Smith reviews the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer as a used buy.

It seems the Lancer has been around forever, much like the Toyota Corolla, but unlike the small Toyota it has never commanded a lot of attention from buyers. Those who know recognise it as a solid, well-built, reliable small car that makes sense, but it's a car that has blended into the background rather than stand

Japanese designed and built to a high quality, Mitsubishi Lancer is at the forefront in the reliability stakes, so has long been popular on the used-car scene in Australia.The Lancer began life as a small car, then gradually morphed into a medium model. From the new model launched in October 2007 it can be used as a family car if the kids aren’t yet into their hulking teenage years.Interior space is good in the front seats in all models. Rear seat headroom can be tight in the older hatches, but is generally fine in the sedans and wagons due to their extended rooflines.Lancer comes with a big variety of bodies: two-door coupes, three-door hatches, four-door sedans, five-door hatchbacks and five-door station wagons. Not all bodies were on offer at all times.Mirage shares most of its out-of-sight parts with Lancer, the name change is simply a marketing ployThree-door hatchbacks built prior to 1996 were called Lancers, but the name was changed to Mitsubishi Mirage with the introduction of the new model of that year.Mirage shares most of its out-of-sight parts with Lancer, the name change is simply a marketing ploy to try and create a new niche for the three-door. Imports of the Lancer-based Mirage ceased in 2004 although the name was reintroduced in 2013, this time in a small five-door hatchback.Ride comfort in the standard Lancers is generally good, though rough Australian backroads can sometimes knock them about. This improved with later models, but try for yourself if you do a lot of country driving.Engines are all four-cylinder units, with a big spread of capacities; 1.5, 1.8, 2.0 and finally 2.4 litres. The marketing strategy over the years saw the largest engine at any one time being first introduced in the upmarket models then gradually making its way down the line.The ultra-hot Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Evolution (Evo) models provide stunning performanceThe 2.4-litre powerplant has plenty of torque, giving the car excellent performance and safe overtaking, yet it doesn’t use a lot more fuel than the other powerplants.Manual gearboxes are all five-speed units. Automatic transmissions from 1996 had four-speeds. The auto with the 2.4-litre engine has tiptronic functions in case the driver wants to override the computer and get more revs out of the engine.If you do want real excitement, the ultra-hot Lancer Ralliart and Lancer Evolution (Evo) models provide stunning performance, but cost big bucks. However, the Lancer MR coupe of 1997 to 2004, while tamer than the Evo is still fun thanks to its firmer suspension and sharper steering.Spare parts and repair prices are about average for this class and the Australian Mitsubishi dealer network is widespread and efficient.The Lancer is relatively easy for the home mechanic to work on, with good underbonnet space and nothing particularly tricky in its layout.Insurance charges are about average for the class in all but the sportier variants. You may need to raise a big loan to cover an Evo if you’re under the age of 25.Though Mitsubishi has pulled out of local manufacture the company continues to operate as a major player here, now exclusively with imported cars. Lancer is at the vanguard of the new Mitsubishi Australia.If possible, start the engine when it is completely cold. It should fire up within a couple of seconds and idle smoothly and quietly straight away.If the engine puffs oily smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration it may be due for an overhaul.A manual gearbox should be slick and easy to useFeel for an automatic transmission that is slow to engage gear or is inclined to change up and down unnecessarily.A manual gearbox should be slick and easy to use. If not there could be troubles - fast changes down from third to second usually show the problem first.Rust normally only gets into the body following poor quality panel repairs, but look over the lower areas of the body and the bottom corners of the doors, tailgate or bootlid just in case. Also look at the surrounds of the front and rear windscreens.Check for panel repairs by looking for ripples in the panels; paint that doesn’t match from one panel to another; and tiny spots of paint on glass, badges, body trim and so on.Don’t even think of buying until you've had a full professional inspectionDo a complete check of all interior surfaces, in particular the tops of the dashboard and the rear parcel shelf that may have drive out and cracked.Look for rips in the seats, excess wear in the carpets and for damage in the luggage area.

Mitsubishi Lancer is a small to medium Japanese car designed and made to a high quality, making it one of the leaders in the reliability stakes.

The pundits argue about which era within the World Rally Championship was its golden age, but there's no doubt it produced some epic machines. Audi's original quattro, the Lancia Stratos and Delta Integrale, Ford's RS brigade and Subaru's WRX and Mitsubishi's Lancer Evolution series are all among the pool of talented vehicles spawned for loose surface competition.Sadly, many of those manufacturers are now no longer in it to win it. The company has trimmed the price and upped the spec, but what's it like to live with one of these highly-strung rally weapons. Short answer - easy.While it starts at $56,990 for the five-speed manual version, we're in the MR twin-clutch automated manual model, which asks for $65,990.The Evolution MR's features list is not spartan - leather trim, front racing bucket seats, alloy paddleshifters, a  height-only(!!?!!) adjustable sports leather-wrapped steering wheel (as well as cruise and phone controls), heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, climate control, automatic xenon headlights with cornering lamps, 18in BBS alloy wheels, a top-spec 9-speaker sound system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, a rear view camera (displaying on the 7in touch screen), with voice activated 3D satnav.The Evo still packs a decent wallop, despite having been around for a while - it has an intercooled and turbocharged 2-litre variable-valve double overhead cam powerplant producing 217kW at 6500 rpm and 366Nm of torque at 3500rpm.It's a cast aluminium block (the old two-litre turbo was cast-iron) and it has reverted to an old-school timing chain as opposed to a belt; there's variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts and the turbo responds 20 per cent quicker, says Mitsubishi.All that grunt without serious thirst too - the Mitsi claim is 10.1 litres per 100km and despite some enthusiastic efforts, the trip computer was showing 11.5 on the test car. Getting all that to ground is the all-wheel drivetrain overseen by a number of clever electronic systems - imaginatively named Super All Wheel Control - starting with an active centre differential with modes for bitumen, unsealed roads and snow.The system also deals with the active stability control to keep the desired driving line, with “Super Active Yaw Control” distributes drive between the rear wheels to fire the little rally rocket out of corners with gusto.Striking but not what you'd call pretty or handsome, it's based on a shopping-trolley sedan, the Evo has bracing bits and body add-ons to upgrade its looks and strength. The big rear spoiler looks the goods but interrupts the rear vision dramatically - not ideal when you're often looking out for particular types of vehicles behind you.The rest of the bodykit and extra vents betray the intent of the vehicle, but don't make it impractical to use day-to-day, with little grinding of body bits into the bitumen. The cabin is typical of the donor car's segment - enough room for Mum and Dad and a couple of offspring, but leave the kitchen sink at home.Bootspace is impeded for the sake of bass response - a subwoofer inhabits the left-hand side cubby of the claimed 400 litres of loadspace, so forget a full-sized set of golf clubs in the boot.Cooking versions of the Lancer score five stars when the full complement of airbags are fitted so there's no reason why you wouldn't expect the Evo to rank similarly. We've already touched on the clever all-wheel drive set-up, which teams with stability control, but there's also anti-lock braking for the massive Brembo stoppers.The 18in wheels cover 350mm front ventilated lightweight two-piece discs with four-pot calipers, with 330mm rear discs and two-pot calipers. The airbag count is seven - dual front, front-side and full-length curtain airbags, as well as one for the driver’s knees.Don't be fooled by the relatively demure road manners, this is a vicious machine. Rolling quietly out of the Mitsubishi carpark, the firm ride quality is apparent, but the Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs help to take the hard edge off remarkably well. Leaving the gearbox in full auto Normal mode, the shift quality is quick and smooth but prone to holding a high gear a little longer than is ideal and is not as intuitive as more recent double-clutchers sampled.Sport mode goes a bit too far in the other direction and Super Sport mode (which needs to be selected before moving) is aggressive. Manual changes in the latter are brutal, with less regard for reducing shift shock than other modes. Steering is light but direct, although my personal preference would be for a bit more meat and a little less assistance. Getting away from standstill with intent is not difficult - the Evo gathers pace with incredible ease, but it's when the corners come that it excels.Brush the Brembos, turn in, fire out - no mess, no fuss, just another recommended corner speed sign made redundant. You'll need to hit a racetrack or risk the low-profile road rubber on dirt to shake it loose, but even then you'll be working hard. There's a five-speed manual on offer in some models, not in the flagship MR sadly, but a slick six-speeder as a special-order option would be nice.

Mitsubishi Lancer LX and Ford Focus Ambiente go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Lancer has been a Mitsubishi success story and has had to carry its passenger car fortunes with the unfortunate demise of the V6-powered and Australian-built 380 a few years ago. It remains the Japanese importer's best seller with nearly 13,000 units sold this year, ahead of Triton and ASX.Nevertheless sales are down 17.6 per cent so far and nearly a third last month. Mazda3 has a strong lead in this sector with 35,766 sales in 2012 with nearly an 18 per cent share, ahead of Toyota Corolla, Holden Cruze and Hyundai i30. Lancer is seventh. The new Corolla and the next generation Golf are expected to make life tougher for Lancer as well as the others. But Mitsubishi is hitting back with the LX.VALUEValue is the name of the game and the new LX sits at the centre of the campaign. At $23,990 drive away it offers plenty of bang for the buck. It comes with Bluetooth 2.0 with voice activation and streaming audio plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and phone controls and a new audio system for easier operation and optimum sound.There's also a new 6.1-inch full colour display audio system that also features the rear view camera view. Foibles are few. The USB port is hard to find, there is tilt-only adjustment for the steering and the Bluetooth link can be fussy. To sweeten the deal Mitsubishi offers a five year/130,000km new vehicle warranty, five year Roadside Assist and Capped Price Servicing for the first four years or 60,000km.TECHNOLOGYAlthough not cutting edge, the Lancer has the brand's staple MIVEC variable intake valve lift and timing system within the 110kW/197Nm alloy 2.0-litre engine. The familiar snout of the three-diamond brand is starting to age and needs an update. It looks distinctive enough but is not as modern as the sleeker opposition, especially the new Corolla and the latest crop from Korea.DESIGNComfort has been boosted with heated front seats, a power driver's seat and climate control airconditioning. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, side air dams and a host of chrome touches on the radiator grille, boot lid accent on the sedan model, door handles and belt line moulding.SAFETYThere's an extensive array of safety features, including Active Stability and Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist, and seven airbags, including driver and passenger front, side and curtain, and driver knee airbag to score a five star ANCAP safety rating. The LX also features a reversing camera and reverse parking sensors to improve driver awareness and visibility, along with keyless entry and engine start to make life a little easier.DRIVINGThe 2.0-litre engine is lively and more flexible than the numbers suggest, as well as being close to its ADR fuel-use figure. I finished with a figure of 7.5L/100km, when the company claims 6.9. The five-speed manual is fairly simple to use, not super-slinky, but with good feel and engagement, however it is one short of the normal six-speeder in this class.Most buyers will opt for the continuously variable auto transmission, but I prefer the manual. The cabin is a comfortable space, with climate control for our summer but the heated front seats won't be needed here unless you live on the Tableland and it's winter. It's easy to drive and easy to park with the rear parking sensors and camera a bonus.The steering is light and points well, the ride nicely absorbent and there's plenty of grip. But it's not a sharp handler, like the Mazda3 or Ford Focus, and the stability control kept kicking in when I was getting a bit frisky coming down the Rex Range between Julatten and Mossman. The brakes are great and there's adequate performance for overtaking.The LX cruises smoothly enough with only the coarse bitumen surfaces invading the interior. It's better than previous Lancers but still too noisy. Wind noise is low except for when punching into a head wind. The engine is quiet.VERDICTThe Lancer's age is offset by some worthy features, including a great warranty that provides some level of security. It's not quite up to the dynamics of a Mazda3 or a Focus, rather it's a civilised little all-rounder. The LX is a pleasant small car that will appeal to many and at $23,990 drive away is good value too.Mitsubishi Lancer LXPrice: $23,990 drive awayWarranty: Five years/130,000kmResale: 54 per centService Interval: 12 months/15,000kmSafety: 5 star ANCAPEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 110kW/197NmTransmission: Five-speed manual, FWDThirst: 6.9L/100km (on test 7.5L), 91RON, 59 litres, 162g/km CO2Weight: 1285kg

The Mitsubishi Evo has something of a reputation as a boy racer. But at a price of almost $75,000 you're unlikely to see too many "boys" driving this particular model. The Lancer Evolution or EVO for short is everything Mitsuibish does best rolled into one, gleaned from years of rally experience.I remember the first time I drove one of these cars, the Evo VI Makinen special edition. It was back in 2001 before they were commercially available in Australia. Man, what a piece of work  but at $80,000 it was a big ask.These days it's still a big ask but you get a hell of a lot more car for your money  although less performance some might say. Back then the EVO had a cheap, plastic interior with a single basic CD player from the standard Lancer. These days the EVO is almost sumptuous in comparison.It's a 2.0-litre turbocharged and intercooled four with 217kW of power and 366Nm of torque. The turbocharged MIVEC Engine is 12.5kg lighter than before, with a new titanium turbocharger that delivers an improvement of up to 18 per cent in response time. The MIVEC system has also been refined with a direct-acting valve-train for additional weight reduction and optimal power.Power is transmitted to all four wheels through the the Twin Clutch Sport Shift Transmission (SST) and super all-wheel drive system, with different settings for tarmac, gravel and snow. It rides on Bilsteins and Eibach springs with lightweight BBS alloys that are shod with 245/40 series rubber.You can change gears manually via the paddle shifts which are fixed to the steering column just like a Ferrari. The stoppers are Brembos all round of course. Inside there's leather clad Recaros and satellite navigation. The CD player is still a single but it's hooked up to a hi-end Rockford Fosgate system with nine speakers including a separate subwoofer. What's not to like?The EVO's arch enemy is of course the Subaru WRX STI. The thing is the top of the whiz STI.Spec R is $9000 cheaper and arguably faster, at least off the mark. The manual does the dash in 5.4 secs and the SST in 5.6 secs, compared to 4.9 and 6.0 secs respectively for the comparable STI Spec.R sedan. But it's like Fords and Holdens  you're either an EVO devotee or an STI diehard and the never the twain shall meet.Fabulous. Feels much better than the less powerful Ralliart model. Apart from the performance, the big difference is in the way the EVO sits on the road and responds to the wheel as well as the speed with which the twin-clutch tranny hooks up (the Ralliart has a particulary annyoying lag).The turbocharged engine revs all the way to 7500 revs but it's way too noisy in the cabin even at low speeds. Available as a sedan only, the EVO has a strong road presence with its large rear wing that will make you the envy of your mates (and their sons).Also: Mitsubishi Evolution MR SST review | long term 2

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering -- would you buy one?This is the penultimate Lancer, one rung below the Evo but a whole lot more liveable on a day to day basis. It has the Evo engine (detuned) and sports suspension but not race spec'. Generous equipment level gives plenty of luxury and it looks pretty good in the Sportback version.You can have the sedan or the Sportback for the same price - $44,490 both with six-speed dual-clutch manumatic called SST with wheel mounted paddle shift.A "luxury" pack that includes leather, xenons, premium audio and the excellent Mitsubishi Multi Communications System is optional at around four grand taking the price horribly close to $50K.It sells against a swag of Euro models - VW,  Alfa, Renault, Volvo and Mazda MPS, WRX.Plenty of power comes from the 2.0-litre turbo four rated at 177kW/343Nm. It's basically the same donk as the Lancer Evo with a different turbo and variable valve timing on the inlet and exhaust sides. The multi mode all wheel drive system gives additional grip, drive and safety and the SST six-speeder flicks quickly between gears but has smoothness issues at parking speeds.Impressive performer with strong off the mark acceleration, strong mid-range and strong top-end. The exhaust sound is disappointing.Two-mode transmission offers Normal and Sport.Allegedly capable of 9.8-litres/100km (of 98 octane) but we couldn't get that. The best was 10.3 on cruise on the highway.No.Yes, scores a five star ANCAP rating and has seven air bags as well as specially reinforced body, stability control and other life saving technology. Responsive dynamics also help avoid a collision in the first place.Surprisingly good for people who don't want the hard riding, much more expensive Evo. Noise is at a minimum inside the well appointed cabin now with more soft feel surfaces. Excellent driving position, decent audio, roomy for four, five at a pinch.An alternative to a WRX but not as quick. Has a classy feel to it. Quick steering response, corners well and has powerful brakes. Flick it into Sport and it becomes a lot more focussed on fast.Pretty good but some of the competition is super sharp - Renault Megane RS250 (front wheel drive only) for example and Golf GTi (same). Gets plenty of kit including auto headlights and wipers, 18-inch alloys, reversing camera, Bluetooth 2.0, smart key ignition, auto fold exterior mirrors and Ralliart front seats.Would definitely be on the "look at" list especially with fixed price servicing.