2002 Mitsubishi Lancer OZ Rally

Although this Lancer's looks are rally-inspired, its 2.0-liter powerplant is a little anemic at 120 horsepower. Maybe Mitsubishi isn't putting all its cards on the table yet.

Saddled with a 120-bhp, 2.0-liter, 16-valve I-4, the somewhat underpowered OZ isn't going to win any rallies, despite its crisp five-speed. With all of its boy-racer good looks, the Lancer OZ cries out for more punch. So it's a sheep in wolf's clothing (at least at this infantile point in its life cycle).


Still, the Lancer's stiff body, quick steering and ventilated front disc brakes (sorry, no ABS except as an option on the LS) are well up to street acceleration and handling levels against comparable Honda Civics, Dodge Neons, Ford Focuses and Toyota Corollas, even though some of them offer more power.


An entry-level sedan for Mitsubishi, the Lancer is bigger than the rather sublime Mirage four-door it replaces (although the Mirage coupe is still available), with a four-inch-longer wheelbase and a decent-sized trunk. The Lancer four-door, in OZ guise, has instant street credibility thanks to its name and saucy attitude. Toss it into a tight turn and you can hear a streetwise snicker: "Is this all you've got? Hey, let's boogie." Brakes are ventilated front discs, rear drums and they're good, if not fantastic; the shifter is a reasonably slick and the power-assisted, rack-and-pinion steering is quick with nice on-center feel and good turn-in.

Inside, the OZ Lancer is cloaked in black cloth and has brushed-metal trim accents. White-faced gauges are mandatory in this segment, and embroidered floormats indicate that this is a special-edition car.

Capable of 9.5-second 0-60 times, the OZ is hardly a neck-snapper but it's in the range of most class rivals. Fully independent MacPherson struts and coils in front; a multi-link with coils in back, and anti-roll bars at both ends, and the aforementioned rigid structure help it handle well, with acceptably low noise levels and minimal body creak. Think of it as a cheap Audi. That's really what the Lancer can be boiled down to: street competence and decent size in a price range that the top German makes just can't yet touch.


The reasonable price includes power locks and windows, remote keyless entry, A/C, and comfortable, supportive cloth seats. Styling is subjective, of course. But if that blonde at the post office is any indicator, the OZ model has a good chance of winning over the younger crowd. It looks like the modified, even personalized, cars many young people all over America are driving these days: bright colors, tail spoiler, trick wheels. But Mitsubishi still leaves room for customizing. For example, the OZ Lancer isn't slammed and, although the exhaust burble is appealing, it doesn't have a distinctive 5-inch stainless steel tailpipe.