Not in general; the standard Lancer models are not particularly fast, but the high-performance Evolution variants are among Mitsubishi's quickest cars. Since production ended in 2017 in most markets, any fast Lancers today are used Evo Xs or rare imports.
This article breaks down speed by variant, explains how the Evo became a performance icon, and places the Lancer within the broader automotive landscape as of today.
Performance across the Lancer lineup
Before listing the main variants, here is a quick descriptor of what the numbers mean for speed: horsepower, drivetrain, and weight determine acceleration and top speed. The figures below are approximate ranges that vary by year and market.
- Lancer ES/SE (base) — around 148–160 hp from a 2.0-liter engine; front-wheel drive; 0–60 mph typically about 9–10 seconds; top speed roughly 120–125 mph. Not designed for rapid acceleration.
- Lancer Ralliart — turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with about 237 hp; all-wheel drive; 0–60 mph roughly 6.0–6.5 seconds; top speed around 150 mph. A higher-performance variant that is now quite rare.
- Lancer Evolution X — turbocharged 2.0-liter with about 291 hp (304 hp in some markets with overboost); all-wheel drive; 0–60 mph about 4.5–5.0 seconds; top speed around 155 mph. The fastest and most track-focused Lancer, produced until about 2016–2017 in most regions.
In summary, the Lancer’s speed range runs from everyday practicality to high-performance capability, with the Evolution X at the top of the ladder.
Historical context and current availability
The Lancer lineup was phased out in most markets after the 2017 model year. Since then, Mitsubishi has offered no new Lancer models, and fast examples on the road today are used Evo X or imported variants. Buyers seeking speed must consider maintenance and availability notes common to aging performance cars.
End of production and market status
Production ended in 2016–2017 in most markets, with the Evolution line continuing briefly in some regions for special editions. The Lancer nameplates in many regions are no longer in official catalog, making the used market the primary source of fast Lancers.
How the Lancer compares to peers
To gauge how fast a Lancer feels on the road, it helps to compare with modern compact performance cars. Here are typical figures for popular rivals:
- Subaru WRX (2015–2021) — roughly 268–310 hp, all-wheel drive; 0–60 mph around 4.9–5.5 seconds depending on model; strong, practical performance.
- Ford Focus RS (2016–2018) — about 350 hp; all-wheel drive; 0–60 mph around 4.7 seconds; very fast hot hatch.
- Honda Civic Type R (2017–present) — about 306 hp; front-wheel drive; 0–60 mph around 5.0 seconds; exceptional handling and speed for a FWD car.
Conclusion: The Evo X remains the standout for pure speed within the Lancer lineage, but in the current market most modern rivals and other new cars outperform the base Lancer. If speed is the priority today, buyers typically turn to used Evo X or to other contemporary performance cars.
Summary
The Mitsubishi Lancer spans a broad performance range. The base models are not fast by modern standards, but the Lancer Evolution X was the brand’s speed benchmark with brisk acceleration, all-wheel drive, and strong handling. Since production ended, the fastest Lancers are limited to used Evo X examples, while newer hot hatches from rivals offer superior performance. For speed alone, the Evo X is the definitive Lancer fast-car chapter—and today that chapter is a used-car story more than a new-car option.