The new Mitsubishi Lancer DE gives you a lot of bang for your buck, and if you’re heading off to college, it offers a lot that you won’t find on other economy vehicles in its class.  From space-age styling to responsive handling to a spacious interior and tons of trunk space, this car delivers a lot of value for the buyer on a budget.  And standard safety features include some upgrades from previous models.  Touted as one of the most affordable vehicles in its class and often mistaken for a more expensive car, there seems to be very little to disparage the reputation this automobile is earning.

So let’s start with what you see.  The Lancer DE is a four-door hatchback with sporty styling.  It looks a lot racier than competitors like the Corolla, with a curvy, streamlined silhouette, rear spoiler, and a front end reminiscent of a BMW (very shark-like).  It also boasts a sophisticated palette of matte-metallic trims and unique interior surfaces, even on the base model, so you’ll be rolling in style. 

And once you get in, you’ll experience roomy front seating with excellent visibility.  The rear seating is a bit more cramped, but offers a decent amount of head and leg room for two adult passengers.  Taking a road-trip home for the holidays or commuting to campus?  Customer reviews claim that it remains comfortable even on long road trips.

Under the hood, you’ll find a 2.0 liter, four-cylinder engine that pumps out about 152 horsepower, not bad for such a lightweight vehicle.  The standard five-speed manual transmission ensures speedy acceleration, but there is also the option of a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) for those that want it.  Upgrades on the GTS model include a sporty 2.4-liter, 168 hp engine and paddle shifters with six simulated gears, as well as better braking and suspension and larger wheels (but it will cost you).  And honestly, it’s really not necessary for tooling around the city. 

Safety features that come standard include airbags for front, side, and even the knee area, 4-wheel ABS, stability and traction control, active anti-whiplash front head restraints, and a tire pressure monitor, all features that your parents will appreciate, especially if they’re co-signing!

The only complaints that seem to be prevalent road noise, which is not uncommon in smaller vehicles, and an unremarkable fuel economy rating (it’s just middle-of-the-road for its class with 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway).  However, the benefits seem to far outweigh any minor deficiencies in this vehicle, especially with a wide variety of upgrades to make the car more stylish and sporty.  And with a starting price under $20,000 (vehicles range from $14,790 for the base model all the way up to $31,909 with all the bells and whistles), this may just be best bet for those seeking a sleek, sporty economy car at a great price. 

Alexis Montgomery is a content writer for Online Degrees, where you can browse through various online degree programs to find a college that suits your needs.