Firkins Mitsubishi

   Mitsubishi has been offering high-performance versions of its Lancer sedan for some time now. Now the company has expanded the car's appeal via a more practical hatchback body style called the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback.

Without adding undue bulk and length to an equivalently sized sedan, a hatchback offers greatly increased cargo capacity via its extended roof line that encloses otherwise wasted space. Apart from that added perk, the Lancer Sportback is identical to the Lancer sedan, which means aggressive, shark-nosed styling and peppy (in the GTS) and even downright thrilling (in the Ralliart) performance.

Since it's a Lancer, the Sportback also comes with a couple of unexpected standard luxuries such as Bluetooth connectivity and automatic climate control. Overall, the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is an attractive, practical and enjoyable little runabout that should appeal to driving enthusiasts whose cargo capacity requirements tend to run outside the box of a sedan's trunk.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is offered in the same upper trim levels, GTS and Ralliart, as the sedan. The more mainstream GTS is front-wheel drive and powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices are the standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT features a Manual mode with simulated gear ratios operated via paddle shifters. The Ralliart features a 2.0-liter turbocharged-4 (237 hp and 253 lb-ft), an automated dual-clutch manual transmission with shift paddles, and all-wheel drive.

The Lancer Sportback offers high-tech features (either as standard or optional) that are typically reserved for more expensive cars. Examples include keyless ignition/entry, automatic climate control, a touch screen navigation system, hard-drive music storage and Bluetooth connectivity. Rear seat comfort is very good, with an impressive amount of legroom. With the seats up, the Sportback offers 13.8 cubic feet of storage. Maximum cargo capacity is either 47 cubic feet with the Ralliart or 52.7 cubes with the GTS.