At eight years old, Mitsubishi’s Lancer is a senior citizen in its segment, but since the brand hasn’t worked out a successor yet, it’s extending the sedan’s life for at least another year with a mild facelift.

For the 2016MY, the Lancer gets a Botox injection on its face together with some interior and equipment updates. Oh, and Mitsubishi just dropped the only other interesting model in the Lancer range aside from the Evolution X, which itself, will be killed at the end of the year, the 237hp Ralliart edition. Taking its place in the lineup is the uninspiring SEL trim.

Mitsubishi’s exterior makeover is limited to the new snout that does away with the single-frame grille design that gave the previous Lancer it’s signature shark-like grimace for a more sober look. It also gets a redesigned front bumper with boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights that look like an aftermarket addendum, freshly styled 16- and 18-inch wheels, plus two new paint colors named Diamond White Pearl and Alloy Silver.

Inside, the 2016 Lancer gains a redesigned front center console complete with a USB port and either a new display audio system or a new optional navigation system.

The 148hp, 2.0-liter and 168hp, 2.4-liter MIVEC engines remain, but they’re now offered with Mitsubishi’s latest generation continuously-variable transmission (CVT) that promises to bring “improved fuel efficiency, smoother operation, reduced noise and better acceleration and shift performance,” according to the manufacturer.

Improvements were also made to the standard equipment (see list below), with the 2016 Lancer starting from $17,595, excluding deliver and handling.

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer Standard Features
Interior

  • New front center console
  • New interior seating fabric
  • FUSE Hands-Free Link System with Bluetooth technology and USB port
  • AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with 140-watt speakers
  • Color LCD multi-information display
  • Soft-touch instrument panel and door trim
  • 6-way adjustable driver’s seat
  • Automatic air condition climate control
  • Steering wheel mounted audio, cruise control and Bluetooth switches
  • Cruise control
  • Power windows with driver’s automatic down/up feature
  • Power door locks
  • Remote keyless entry with panic feature
  • 60/40 split folding rear seat
  • Tilt-adjustable steering column
  • Remote trunk and fuel lid release lever
  • High-contrast gauge meters

Exterior

  • New front fascia/chrome grille
  • Automatic on/off headlights
  • Fog lights
  • Heated side view mirrors with turn indicators
  • LED daytime running lights (DRLs)
  • Auto-off halogen headlights
  • Side air dams
  • Color-keyed outer door handles
  • Colors: New Diamond White Pearl, New Alloy Silver, Tarmac Black, Octane Blue, Rally Red, Mercury Gray

Safety

  • Advanced seven (7) air bag SRS system including driver’s side knee air bag, dual-stage front air bags with occupant seat position sensors, front seat mounted side-impact air bags and front and rear curtain side air bags
  • Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
  • Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control Logic (TCL)
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System
  • Engine immobilizer anti-theft security alarm system
  • Mitsubishi Motors’ patented Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) safety cell body construction 

Warranty

  • Fully transferable 5-year/60,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty
  • 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty
  • 7-year/100,000 mile anti-corrosion perforation limited warranty
  • 5-year/unlimited mile roadside assistance

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