MITSUBISHI is finally firing on all cylinders in the small-car segment with the new CJ Lancer Sportback, which brings back the five-door hatch version to the series after a very long break. Besides offering a stylish alternative to the likes of the Mazda3, the liftback Lancer boasts some real practicality and versatility features, as well as a nicely tuned driving experience. We came away liking this Lancer – a lot!

CA/CB Lancer hatch
Released: September 1989
Ended: July 1996
Family Tree: LancerDon't be fooled by the so-called ‘CC’ iteration of this car released in late 1992 – it was a lightly facelifted version of the earlier front-wheel drive CA/CB Lancer imported from Japan in 1989. Sold in smart three-door ‘long’ back style or a rather clumsily executed five-door, the first-generation front-wheel drive Lancer to be sold in Australia (there was also rear-wheel drive incarnations in the 1970s, such as the LA and LB series) helped to re-establish the brand at a time when Ford dropped the ball with the KF Laser (1990) and nobody knew what a Holden Astra was. Benign to drive and dull to behold, the Lancer hatch was powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox.
Facebook Twitter Instagram