Visibility is decent out the front windshield and the driver and passenger blind spots. Rear window visibility is not optimal - at least it wasn't for me. A headrest, located in the middle of the back seat, obstructs visibility while backing up because it is rather high. The same however, goes for all of the headrests in the back seat. While an important feature for the safety of those riding at center position in back, it needs to be removed when not in use.
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| The wagon offers plenty of interior room and comfortable seating, but visibility out the back window can be an issue. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America) |
Speaking of seats, those in the Sportback LS are upholstered in cloth and quite comfortable. I enjoyed driving around town and up and down the Sea-To-Sky Highway nestled in their supportive cushions.
The standard 140-watt AM/FM/CD audio system is also noteworthy. It's easy to operate and the sound quality is clear and concise.
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| Although laid out in an easy to use fashion, the interior of the Sportback needs a serious style update. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America) |
What I can't sing praises about was the interior finish. In all honesty, it's a little old-fashioned. It looks right out of the mid '90s, and is not impressive considering the many rivals its up against. When comparing the interior finish of the Lancer Sportback LS to the Hyundai Elantra GT or the Mazda3 Sport GT, for instance, or even the Subaru Impreza Wagon, it just doesn't measure up. I'm sorry to say that it needs a nip and a tuck, maybe even an extreme makeover to sit in the same league as the others. But the old-fashioned styling of the interior may work for some. As I mentioned, it's easy to operate all the buttons and is very straight-forward; a foolproof interior. I must admit, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it's nevertheless functional.