If you’re looking at a Mitsubishi Lancer 2009 sedan today, you’re probably seeing one of two things. It’s either a faded, high-mileage commuter car with a peeling clear coat, or it’s a surprisingly sharp-looking budget find that somehow doesn't look like it's nearly two decades old.
It’s a weird car.
Mitsubishi was in a strange spot back in 2009. They were trying to ride the coattails of the legendary Evolution (the Evo X had just launched a year prior), but they also had to sell a basic four-door to people who just wanted to get to work without their spine vibrating. The result? A base model that looks aggressive enough to be fast, but is actually about as quick as a tectonic plate.
Yet, people still buy them. They’re all over the used market. You’ve likely noticed that while the Galant vanished and the Eclipse turned into a crossover, the 2009 Lancer hangs on. It’s got that "shark nose" front end that still looks better than half the subcompacts coming off the line in 2026.
The Reality of the Drive: It’s Not an Evo
Let’s get the disappointment out of the way first.
The Mitsubishi Lancer 2009 sedan comes in a few flavors, and unless you’re getting the Ralliart or the Evo, you’re dealing with the 4B11 engine—a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder. It makes about 152 horsepower. On paper, that sounds fine for a light car. In reality? If you have the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), it feels like the car is screaming into a pillow every time you try to merge onto the highway.
The CVT is the Achilles' heel here. It’s loud. It drones. Honestly, if you can find the 5-speed manual version, buy that instead. The manual transforms the car from a sluggish appliance into something that at least feels mechanical and engaging.
The handling is actually the highlight. Mitsubishi knew how to tune a chassis. Even in the base DE or ES trims, the car feels planted. It’s not a Corolla; it doesn’t feel like you’re driving a marshmallow. There’s a stiffness to the 2009 Lancer that reminds you it shares DNA with rally winners. You feel the road. Sometimes you feel the road a bit too much, especially if you’re on the GTS trim with the 18-inch wheels and the sport-tuned suspension.
Trims and What They Actually Give You
Picking a Mitsubishi Lancer 2009 sedan used to be a headache because the trim levels—DE, ES, GTS, and the then-new Ralliart—offered wildly different experiences.
📖 Related: Hairstyles for women over 50 with round faces: What your stylist isn't telling you
The DE is the "poverty spec." You might not even get power windows or air conditioning depending on how the original owner specced it. It’s basically a rolling metal box. Moving up to the ES gives you the basics: cruise control, keyless entry, and better seats. This is the volume seller. It's the one you see everywhere.
Then there’s the GTS.
The GTS is the sweet spot for most people who like cars. It swapped the 2.0-liter for a 2.4-liter (the 4B12), bumping power to 168 hp. It’s not a rocket ship, but that extra displacement makes a massive difference in daily drivability. You get the big spoiler, the aggressive wheels, and the Rockford Fosgate sound system—which, by the way, includes a massive 10-inch subwoofer in the trunk that takes up way too much room but sounds incredible for a factory setup.
The Ralliart was the weird middle child introduced for 2009. It had a detuned Evo engine and All-Wheel Control (AWC). It was meant to bridge the gap. It’s cool, but finding one today that hasn't been abused by a teenager is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Reliability: The Good, The Bad, and The Rattles
Is the Mitsubishi Lancer 2009 sedan reliable?
Mostly.
The engines are surprisingly stout. The 4B11 and 4B12 are timing chain engines, so you don't have to worry about a belt snapping and nuking your valves at 100,000 miles. I’ve seen these things hit 250,000 miles with nothing but basic oil changes.
However, the interior is where things fall apart.
👉 See also: How to Sign Someone Up for Scientology: What Actually Happens and What You Need to Know
Literally.
Mitsubishi used some of the hardest, scratchiest plastics known to man for the 2009 model year. If you live in a hot climate, expect the dashboard to rattle. Expect the door panels to feel thin. It is not a Lexus. It’s not even a Mazda. It’s a budget car that spent all its development money on the exterior styling and the suspension.
Common Issues to Watch For:
- CVT Fluid Neglect: If the previous owner never changed the CVT fluid, the transmission will whine and eventually fail. If it sounds like a jet engine taking off when you’re going 40 mph, walk away.
- Rust on the Front Subframe: This is a big one. In the "salt belt" states, the subframes on these Lancers are notorious for rotting out. Get underneath it with a flashlight.
- Paint Quality: Mitsubishi’s paint in the late 2000s was thin. Clear coat failure on the roof and trunk is almost a guarantee if the car lived outside.
Why People Still Buy This Over a Civic
It’s the price.
A 2009 Civic or Corolla usually commands a "reliability tax." You’ll pay more for the name. The Mitsubishi Lancer 2009 sedan is often 20-30% cheaper on the used market. For someone who wants a car that looks modern and sporty but only has a few thousand dollars to spend, it’s a compelling argument.
Also, it’s a tuner’s dream.
Because the base Lancer looks so much like the Evolution, there is a massive aftermarket. You can swap the bumpers, add the hood vents, and change the lights. Just don't be that person who puts an "Evolution" badge on a base ES. Everyone knows.
The Driving Environment
Sitting inside a 2009 Lancer feels like stepping back into a simpler time. The gauges are deep-set and glow red. The climate controls are three big, chunky knobs. There’s no massive infotainment screen distracting you. It’s just you and the road.
The seats in the GTS are actually quite good—bolstered enough to hold you in corners but soft enough for a long commute. The ES seats are flatter and feel a bit more like office chairs.
✨ Don't miss: Wire brush for cleaning: What most people get wrong about choosing the right bristles
Road noise is a thing. Mitsubishi didn't go heavy on the sound deadening. You’ll hear the wind. You’ll hear the tires. If you’re coming from a modern 2024 vehicle, it’s going to feel unrefined. But some people like that. It feels more "connected," even if that's just a polite way of saying "loud."
Is It Safe?
For 2009, it was actually a top performer. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it "Good" ratings across most categories. It came standard with a knee airbag for the driver, which was pretty rare for a compact car back then.
It’s got side-curtain airbags and electronic stability control (standard on most trims). It's a solid choice for a first-time driver, as long as they understand it's not a tank.
Maintenance and Parts Availability
One of the best things about owning a Mitsubishi Lancer 2009 sedan in 2026 is that parts are everywhere. Since this generation of Lancer ran for nearly a decade with very few major changes, you can pull parts from a 2015 model and they’ll likely fit your 2009.
Mechanics generally find them easy to work on. The engine bay is spacious compared to modern turbocharged cars. You can actually see the ground when you open the hood.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you’re serious about picking one of these up, don't just buy the first one you see on Facebook Marketplace.
- Check the Transmission First: If it’s a CVT, ask for service records. If they can’t prove the fluid was changed every 40k-60k miles, be very cautious.
- The Subframe Inspection: This is non-negotiable. A rusted subframe can make the car a total loss because the repair costs more than the car is worth.
- Prioritize the 2.4L Engine: If your budget allows, get the GTS. The 2.4L engine (4B12) is significantly more pleasant to drive than the 2.0L.
- Listen for the "Mitsubishi Tick": These engines can have a bit of valve chatter. A little is normal; a lot means it’s been neglected.
- Look for the Manual: It’s more reliable, more fun, and will likely hold its value better as these cars become rarer.
The Mitsubishi Lancer 2009 sedan isn't a perfect car. It’s plasticky, it’s loud, and the CVT is annoying. But it’s also a sharp-looking, reliable, and affordable piece of Japanese engineering that offers a lot more personality than your average budget commuter. It’s a car for people who want to look at their ride in the parking lot and actually feel something.