Outside, little has changed, and as I said, that's fine by me. There's the rakishly high beltline, racer-boy spoiler, and a gaping grille flanked by slanted headlights giving its face, if not the ferocious anger of the outrageous Evo, then at least a little pissed-off petulance. The smaller rims don't quite fill the fenders the way those of its more testosterone-laden model mates do, but the gap isn't really that noticeable.
I'd driven the superlative-inducing Evo several times – revelling in the ridiculous ease with which it turned my knees to Jell-o. The Lancer in Ralliart form is a pretty good compromise for those who still crave agility and performance, yet require some degree of tractability as a daily driver. But the Lancer SE compared to the Evo is like Jack Nicholson's Randle McMurphy, before and after Nurse Ratched whisked him away for that little midnight attitude adjustment.
Underhood, the base 2.0L 4-cylinder makes 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque; acceleration is acceptable, if a bit buzzy when pushed. Mated to a 5-speed manual, it would probably be perky, or even fun. But harnessed to the dreary CVT, it moans and groans until you give in and let off the throttle.
The steering wheel has a nice weight and thickness, if confusingly festooned with buttons, but it’s not particularly direct or communicative.
As a mid-grade model, it's expected that the SE would receive suspension bits that are somewhat more compliant than the firmer “sport shocks" of the sportier trim levels. However, the SE bobs like a cork on high seas at any pavement interruptions, and the abundance of body roll takes all the fun out of tight on-ramps.
I'd driven the superlative-inducing Evo several times – revelling in the ridiculous ease with which it turned my knees to Jell-o. The Lancer in Ralliart form is a pretty good compromise for those who still crave agility and performance, yet require some degree of tractability as a daily driver. But the Lancer SE compared to the Evo is like Jack Nicholson's Randle McMurphy, before and after Nurse Ratched whisked him away for that little midnight attitude adjustment.
 |
| There's the rakishly high beltline, racer-boy spoiler, and a gaping grille flanked by slanted headlights giving its face, if not the ferocious anger of the outrageous Evo, then at least a little pissed-off petulance. (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |
Underhood, the base 2.0L 4-cylinder makes 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque; acceleration is acceptable, if a bit buzzy when pushed. Mated to a 5-speed manual, it would probably be perky, or even fun. But harnessed to the dreary CVT, it moans and groans until you give in and let off the throttle.
The steering wheel has a nice weight and thickness, if confusingly festooned with buttons, but it’s not particularly direct or communicative.
As a mid-grade model, it's expected that the SE would receive suspension bits that are somewhat more compliant than the firmer “sport shocks" of the sportier trim levels. However, the SE bobs like a cork on high seas at any pavement interruptions, and the abundance of body roll takes all the fun out of tight on-ramps.
 |
| Underhood, the base 2.0L 4-cylinder makes 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque; acceleration is acceptable, if a bit buzzy when pushed. (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Auto123.com) |