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With fuel prices showing no signs of abating, automakers are lining up to introduce unusual compact sedans that — they rely on — will give them an edge in the marketplace. Lastest in line is Mitsubishi with their all-new 2008 Lancer. The Mitsubishi Lancer comes to the table with a unequalled look, an innovative automatic transporting, a base price of $14,615 (two models reviewed, priced at $18,115 and $22,615), and EPA fuel economy estimates (using the new-for-2008 formula) of 21-22 MPG city and 29 MPG highway.

Larger exterior photos: ES cover-up rear GTS front breed

Say "Mitsubishi Lancer" to a gearhead, and chances are he or she will instantly think of the Lancer Evolution, Mitsubishi’s turbocharged all-wheel-drive speed demon designed expressly for the street-racer set. It’s just as liable to they won’t even remember that there’s a lesser Lancer, because the previous version of Mitsi’s compact sedan was a pretty forgettable jalopy, with dull styling and minuscule to subscribe to it against superior vehicles like the Nissan Sentra, Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

That’s changed in requital for 2008. Mitsubishi’s new Lancer is a whole-hearted effort to bring home the bacon over new buyers — something that becomes discernible when you get your first look at the car. Though the comprehensive shape (identify with goes to photo) is conservative, Mitsubishi has dressed it up with some rather nice details, including a forward-slanted grille that recalls Mitsubishi’s handsome sedans from the mid-90s. The redone Lancer doesn’t have the melted-blob look of its predecessor, nor does it have the polarizing styling of more radical cars like the Civic and Sentra. The Lancer’s styling brings to mind the old car-review cliché "handsome but tasteful". Aside from the silly-looking wing on the GTS model, I like it.

Mitsubishi offers the Lancer in three trim levels: Basic DE, mid-range ES, and sporty GTS. I tested a stick-shift ES and an inevitable GTS. Like the Sentra, the Lancer’s automatic is a continuously protean transmission (CVT), a smart choice that improves gas mileage and acceleration compared to a conventional impulsive.

Larger interior photos: ES GTS

Remember when "principal" cars really were basic? That’s not the case any more; witness the $14,615 Lancer DE, which comes with power windows, CD/MP3 instrumentalist, front-seat-mounted torso airbags, two-row side curtain airbags, and - unrivalled among compacts - a driver’s knee airbag. A/C, antilock brakes and power locks come bundled together fit $1100, but only on automatic cars; they are standard on the $16,590 ES, along with alloy wheels and must-haves like map lights, fold-down rear seat and floor mats. And then there’s the $18,115 GTS — bigger wheels, better brakes, tighter denial, extra body kit, and access to some cool options, including keyless ignition, navigation system and MP3 player with built-in hard drive for music storage.

The Lancer’s interior mirrors its exterior: Conservative shapes with attractive details. Regular readers know that wicked interiors are one of my pet peeves, so naturally I preferred the tan intimate in the Lancer ES I drove, with its metal-look trim and a dash topped in black to up reflections in the windshield. The GTS model comes exclusively with a black interior trimmed with carbon fiber.

One thing I didn’t similarly to was the arms-out driving position. The steering wheel tilts up-and-down but does not telescope in-and-out, and I felt like I was either too close to the pedals or too far away from the steering wheel. For those with longer legs and shorter arms, driving the Lancer can be an uncomfortable proposition. Riding in the back isn’t, however; the Lancer’s back sit is comfy and easy to get in and out of.

The Lancer ES (and by extension the DE, which shares the same suspension and tires) has a comfortable oppress, but the steering lacks feedback and precision on center. Still, handling in panic maneuvers is very predictable and precise. Road and wind noise are well sobered, but mechanism noise comes through loud and clear.

The GTS is another story. Its bigger wheels and lower profile tires do wonders in support of steering response, and the tighter suspension stiffens the ride and makes the handling downright impressive. The GTS lacks the thrills of the Honda Civic Si, but it’s up there with the Nissan Sentra SE-R.

I surely liked my ES test car’s 5-speed manual transmission; the shifter is light and enjoyable to use. That’s good, because you’ll scarcity to use it a lot: Despite having variable valve timing, which should give it a more even power curve, the Lancer’s engine doesn’t really start to sparkle until well above 4,000 RPM, and I frequently had to downshift to gain speed on upgrades.

The CVT sorts a lot of this out, and the GTS model even has steering vicinity shifter paddles that cause the transmission to do a near-perfect impression of a 6-speed manual. But what the Lancer’s CVT lacks (and needs) is a "low" range, which would allow the transmission to do its continuously-variable thing while keeping the motor at higher revs. In "Drive", the dissemination is not in any degree in a hurry to suggest the revs, so for spirited driving you’re forced to use the shifter paddles — thereby losing the same of the chief advantages of a CVT, its ability to camouflage b confine the engine in its powerband regardless of road speed.

Still, the Lancer’s associate with of features, space and road manners mean it can run with the party, exact if it’s not the begin dog. The Lancer is one of a kind among compacts in managing to look different without being putrescent. And when it comes to driver involvement, the Lancer GTS rivals the Mazda 3 and gives the Volkswagen Rabbit a run for its money (the Rabbit goes faster but uses more fuel to do it).

For those seeking a family-friendly compact sedan, the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer is a etched contender that at the very least deserves a test drive. For performance enthusiasts, the DE, ES and GTS are only the beginning; sportier Lancers are just over the horizon, including the new rendering of the Lancer Evolution. If the Lancers I drove are any indication, some very good things are on the by means of b functioning as — very good things, positively.