For anyone who enjoys the extra room provided by a utility vehicle but doesn’t want to sacrifice the sporty ride and nimble handling of a smaller car, Mitsubishi presents a Lancer that has performance and spacious cargo room.

Based on the Lancer sedan and beefed up to haul the whole family, the Lancer Sportback helps to revive a nearly extinct species of automobile: the affordable compact sport wagon.

Lancer Sportback gets its solid feel and stable demeanor from a chassis that was enhanced and made stronger for 2004. The Lancer Sportback adds unique reinforcements to compensate for the lack of a rear bulkhead, and a structural ring frames the cargo door opening and therefore stiffens the body.

Designed for a balance of comfort and capability, the Sportback is equipped with a 160-horsepower engine, four-speed automatic transmission, fully independent front strut and rear multi-link suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, four-wheel disc brakes, speed sensitive rack-and-pinion steering and 15-inch tires.

The rear seat offers 60/40 split-fold versatility, reclines for comfort and includes a center armrest with fold-out cupholders. In the cargo area, under-floor and side storage compartments, 12-volt power outlet and four cargo tie-down hooks are standard.

SPECIFICATIONS

VEHICLE TYPE……………..FWD wagon

POWERPLANT……………….2.4L I4

OUTPUT…………………..160 horsepower, 161 torque

EPA MILEAGE RATING………..23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway

MSRP…………………….$17,575