The Mitsubishi Lancer was offered in the United States from 2002 to 2017, primarily as a four-door sedan. However, there was also a Lancer Sportback, initially a wagon in 2004 and later a hatchback from 2010-2014. In a recent visit to a self-service junkyard in Denver, I came across a 2010 Lancer Sportback, which sparked my interest due to its uncommonness.
In the United States, the Lancer name was historically associated with Dodge models during the 20th century, primarily as hardtop versions of Dodge’s Royal, Custom, and Coronet from 1955-1959, as well as the Dodge-branded Plymouth Valiant in 1961 and 1962. The Lancer name was later revived as an extended K-Car family member, with rebadged Chrysler LeBaron GTS models sold in America from 1985-1989.
Mitsubishi began producing its own Lancer models in 1973, with some being sold in the US as Dodge Colts, Dodge Challengers, Plymouth Sapporos, and Plymouth Arrows throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
The 2010 Lancer Sportback was offered in GTS and Ralliart trim levels. The Ralliart boasted a turbocharged engine, all-wheel-drive, and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic shared with the Evo, while the GTS came with front-wheel-drive and a five-speed manual as standard (though the model I found had the optional CVT with paddle shifters).
Under the hood, both trim levels featured a 2.4-liter straight-four engine producing 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque in the GTS version, while the Ralliart’s engine output was boosted to 237 horsepower and 253 pound-feet. The 2010 Lancer Sportback GTS had an MSRP of $19,190, which would be about $27,193 in 2023 dollars.
During its time on the road, this particular Lancer Sportback appeared to have undergone some field-expedient repairs using tape during its final months or years of operation, although it was not the worst I’ve seen in junkyards.
It’s worth noting that the owner of a Lancer Sportback should not be addressed as “Ma’am!”
In the automotive industry, various “Sportback” designations have been used over the years, with the Nissan Pulsar NX Sportbak being an early example. Recently, Buick offered Regal Sportbacks until 2020, while Audi still uses the “Sportback” term today. Additionally, the use of “Liftback” has diminished as a mainstream description in recent years, while “Wagonback” never gained traction despite some manufacturers’ efforts.
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