This abstract rating puts the Sportback in the same arena as the Caliber, Matrix, Mazda3 Sport and Impreza. In fact, to benefit from a significantly larger cargo area, you’ll have to opt for a Hyundai Elantra Touring or Jeep Compass.
The very light hatch uncovers a wide opening and a flat floor extending to the edge of the rear seat backs. From there, you have to get used to the slight angle made by the folded seats. To top it off, because the sill is rather low to the ground loading heavy and bulky items is a breeze.
Note that the seats fold back at the touch of a button located in the back, on each side of the cargo area. You can see them when you lift the hatch.
The Japanese automaker decided on a round, almost stocky look that has nothing to do with the angular profile typical of the Sportback sedan. You know, like the Elantra Touring’s, for example. But that’s just semantics, as this other compact hatchback has the exact same proportions as the Sportback with a few millimetres difference.
The elegant, streamlined shape of the Mitsubishi does limit rear visibility, though. The culprits are the very wide rear jambs and a short rear window, whose size and shape harmonize with the body. You also have to factor in a rear windshield wiper where only the intermittent setting manages to keep the glass clean when it’s raining or snowing.
In a nutshell, the manufacturer concentrated on creating a striking look to the detriment of a field of vision that would have made parking manoeuvres little less risky. The body shops are undoubtedly rubbing their hands in anticipation of the increase in bumper repairs bills they’ll be sending out!
A GTS is a GTS
Apart from the cargo area, a Lancer remains a Lancer. And in our case, a GTS to boot. The Sportback shares its 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder mill with the sedan of the same name. Mitsubishi has chosen not to offer this Sportback with the 2.0-litre engine powering the lower-end sedans (DE, SE and GT).
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| The elegant, streamlined shape of the Mitsubishi does limit rear visibility, though. |
The very light hatch uncovers a wide opening and a flat floor extending to the edge of the rear seat backs. From there, you have to get used to the slight angle made by the folded seats. To top it off, because the sill is rather low to the ground loading heavy and bulky items is a breeze.
Note that the seats fold back at the touch of a button located in the back, on each side of the cargo area. You can see them when you lift the hatch.
The Japanese automaker decided on a round, almost stocky look that has nothing to do with the angular profile typical of the Sportback sedan. You know, like the Elantra Touring’s, for example. But that’s just semantics, as this other compact hatchback has the exact same proportions as the Sportback with a few millimetres difference.
The elegant, streamlined shape of the Mitsubishi does limit rear visibility, though. The culprits are the very wide rear jambs and a short rear window, whose size and shape harmonize with the body. You also have to factor in a rear windshield wiper where only the intermittent setting manages to keep the glass clean when it’s raining or snowing.
In a nutshell, the manufacturer concentrated on creating a striking look to the detriment of a field of vision that would have made parking manoeuvres little less risky. The body shops are undoubtedly rubbing their hands in anticipation of the increase in bumper repairs bills they’ll be sending out!
A GTS is a GTS
Apart from the cargo area, a Lancer remains a Lancer. And in our case, a GTS to boot. The Sportback shares its 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder mill with the sedan of the same name. Mitsubishi has chosen not to offer this Sportback with the 2.0-litre engine powering the lower-end sedans (DE, SE and GT).
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| A 2.4-litre, 168-hp, 4-cylinder engine drives the front wheels. |