Mitsubishi Lancer

Road test

Evolution is a team effort. For every fish that walked there was a fish that sort of just flapped really hard and then quit. And for every Evo terrorising the Welsh constabulary, there's a bog standard Lancer pootling down the shops. In the great scheme of things, you can't do it without the also-rans.

But just why the standard Lancer gets so comprehensively overlooked is easy to see. It's fantastically dull to look at, especially alongside its bespoilered brethren. And it's also not fast enough to provide those instant on-boost facelifts. But it is, perhaps not unexpectedly, capable on any number of levels.

First up, it's cheap. The base 1.6-litre saloon costs £9,999, while our range topping two-litre Sport Estate is still a snip at £11,999. For that you get 133bhp, 16-inch alloys, Momo steering wheel, sports seats and a CD player. Admittedly, the cabin is a grim exercise in the bare essentials, but you do get a load of voluminous space in easily accessible abundance.

At a relatively slimline 1,335kg it's also easy for the Lancer to make the best of those 133bhp. It feels alert on the throttle and nimble enough to do some justice to the Sport moniker, thanks to lowered suspension, a snappy gearchange and a quick rack. But Evo DNA or not, these days the Lancer's pipped by Ford's latest Focus Estate. It's survival of the fittest...

Matt Master

12/20
We say: Strong genes have done it proud. Spacious and cheap it may be, but there's still some spirit in the drive.
Price: £11,999
On your drive for: £296pcm
Performance: 0-60mph in 10secs, max speed 124mph, 32.5mpg
Tech: 1997cc, 4cyl, FWD, 133bhp, 130lb ft, 1335kg, 207g/km CO2