A 4-speed automatic is available too, and as expected does impinge on forward momentum. Such is life. If a person wants the convenience of an autobox there are payoffs that, so it seems, the majority of people are willing to make. Still, the engine is optimized for torque, what matters most when an automatic transmission is part of the package, so it moves quickly enough not to cause a lineup of impatient motorists at its tail. The gearbox shifts smoothly too, which is not always common among 4-cylinder economy cars.

The Lancer, even in base LS trim, is a fun car to drive on a coastal or mountain highway. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Also uncommon in this class are dynamic handling characteristics. The Lancer, even in base LS trim, is a fun car to drive on a coastal or mountain highway. Once up to speed it snakes through twisting roads with hardly any body roll, reacting to steering input with quick turn-in, responsive to emergency lane changes and extremely stable at high speed due to its long wheelbase. Overall it's a great little sedan, offering higher performance than its price initially indicates.

Mitsubishi packs a pretty sophisticated suspension system into the inexpensive Lancer. (Photo: Mitsubishi)

All base engine equipped models feature front independent MacPherson struts and a 24 mm diameter front stabilizer bar. An independent multi-link setup with coil springs in the rear gets a 13 mm diameter stabilizer bar in all but base LS models. That's a pretty sophisticated hardware combination for such an inexpensive car, and obviously, along with its power assisted rack-and-pinion steering system, the best reason as to its ride and handling prowess. Incidentally, 14- and 15-inch steel wheels come standard on the LS and ES respectively, with the OZ getting 15-inch alloy rims made by the company of the same two-letter name.

Like the ride and handling, braking too is impressive. Despite only offering rear drum brakes, instead of the discs up front, in Lancer LS, ES, and O-Z Rally models, stopping power is sufficient unless fully loaded and needing to panic brake from a very high speed. Around town rear discs aren't needed for the most part, with drums only becoming wearisome during repeatedly aggressive braking.