The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback marks the return of a 4-door hatchback body style to this compact-car lineup. Sedan versions of Mitsubishi’s smallest car should continue without any major changes for 2010. Front-wheel-drive Lancer DE and ES sedans should return and be powered by a 152-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The front-drive GTS sedan and new GTS Sportback have a 168-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. DE, ES, and GTS are available with a manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Lancer Ralliart should reprise its sedan body style and will be joined by a Sportback hatchback. Ralliarts have all-wheel drive and a 237-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The AWD Lancer Evolution should also return but only as a sedan. It should reprise GSR and MR trims, each with a 295-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. GSRs would have a 5-speed manual transmission; MRs would have a 6-speed automatic. Available safety features should include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Most models should be available with a touch-screen navigation system and a 30-gigabyte hard drive for storage and playback of digital audio files. This report is based on evaluations of the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer.

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