Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Review

2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 4dr Sedan Shown

While the process of modifying an otherwise average car for better performance is commonly associated with car owners and aftermarket parts, manufacturers occasionally dabble with their own such projects. One of the more popular cars of this ilk is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

The Evolution (or "Evo") is based on the Lancer compact sedan. The two cars don't have much in common, however. Whereas the regular Lancer is a perfectly adequate economy car that's easy to lose in a parking lot, the winged Evo is turbocharged, boisterous and ready to put down rubber on a racetrack.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was originally developed in the early 1990s to compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC) racing series and abide by homologation rules. Packing a powerful turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive, the Lancer Evolution quickly became a successful rally car. Early road-going versions of the Evo were originally just meant for the Japanese home market, but this didn't stop the car from developing a cult-like following around the world. Finally, for the 2003 model year, Mitsubishi started importing official, road-going Lancer Evolutions to the North American market.

The current Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution offers a level of performance typically found in European sports cars and sports sedans that cost considerably more. Only a few cars, in and outside of its class, can provide comparable engine power, precision handling and driving intensity.

But all of this performance comes with a sacrifice -- ride comfort. The Evo is an extreme car with extreme ride characteristics. Its tightly tuned suspension is unforgiving over the bumps and there is little cushion from the seats. The sedan also has a sparse, colorless interior with a center console that's straight from the 1990s.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution comes only as a four-door sedan with three available trim levels: the base Evo "IX", the RS and the MR. All trims are powered by a dynamic 286-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. They also come standard with an impressive all-wheel-drive system that's generally regarded as a technological marvel. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the base and RS trims, while the MR gets a sportier six-speed manual. There is no automatic transmission option.

The Evolution is a pure driver's car and comes with few amenities. The top-of-the-line MR offers performance-driven upgrades, such as lightweight BBS wheels, sport-tuned Bilstein shocks and specially designed Yokohama tires for higher traction. An aluminum roof panel lowers the car's center of gravity and overall weight for improved handling.

A few select buyers will go for the Evolution RS, which is a stripped down, bare-bones, budget-priced trim. Mitsubishi removed the stereo, air-conditioning, power windows and even the Evolution's signature giant rear wing (among other things) from the standard Evo, reducing weight by close to 50 pounds. And with a gearbox that has been revised with tighter ratios for quicker acceleration, the RS clearly targets weekend racers and autocross enthusiasts who care more about lap times than ride comfort.

Through road and comparison tests, our editors found the Evolution to exhibit nearly perfect driving dynamics. With virtually no turbo lag, acceleration is seriously quick with a mid-5-second 0-60 time. Steering is pinpoint precise and predictable. An Active Center Differential, standard across all trims, manages power between the front and rear wheels for maximum traction in every situation. The tires grip extremely well, while the racing seats hold you tight in even the sharpest turns.

The one drawback to such inspiring performance is ride comfort. Even on the highway, the ride is unforgiving. The Evolution isn't your average four-door sedan. It's not built for road trips and you won't find the kind of standard or optional equipment you'd expect from your average family sedan.


There have been many versions of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution but only the latest have been officially imported to the U.S. market. Order is kept track via Roman numerals. Mitsubishi calls the current model Evolution IX, but it is very similar, both visually and mechanically, to the previous Evolution VIII. Mitsubishi has made a few improvements to the car over the years, such as small increases in horsepower and torque, improved aerodynamics and visual refreshes. In 2005, Mitsubishi began equipping all Evolutions with Active Center Differential, so consumers should generally try to look for the latest year possible.