Weeklong Road Test Showdown: 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart Vs. 2010 VW GTI

You would think that since the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart and 2010 VW GTI both have turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, double clutch automatic transmissions and are available as four door hatchbacks that they would have similar characters. You couldn't be more wrong.

In a year where I tested a whole heck of a lot of SUVs, the weeks I spent with both the 2010 VW GTI and the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart were a truly divine pleasure. But since you probably only have enough money to buy one I really do have to tell you which one is a better hot hatch. Really, I do?

Exterior Styling

I am sure 99.9% of the public would look at the 2010 VW GTI next to the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart and would not like the odd hunchback style rear end of the poor Mitsu. That is, unless they were hatchback starved, in the closet fans of Saab. Mind you, the Sportback version of the Lancer is really, really wacky looking. And the world is a better place for it.

Unfortunately, the totally redesigned 2010 version of the iconic GTI just so happens to be the best looking variant since the original version debuted. Ordinarily I would have given this category to Mitsubishi for originality but in this case that wouldn't be fair to a VW design that is so classically "right." (Advantage: VW GTI)

Interior Design and Build Quality

Besides the (optional) Recaro sport seats and the terrifically grippy steering wheel, there isn't a lot about the Lancer Sportback Ralliart's interior that really titillates. And seriously, why does the Lancer Sportback Ralliart have three long names when the VW just gets along with three letters-G.T.I? Apologies, I am just tired of typing it over and over again.

The 2010 VW GTI leads the compact car class in interior design, build quality and materials choice. To my eyes, it betters even the much vaunted Mini Cooper mainly because the VW has logically laid out controls and you can actually read the speedometer as you are driving. Who looks down at the center of the dash when they are driving Mini? Good job GTI! (Advantage: VW GTI)

Engine, Transmission and Driving Joy

The Lancer Ralliart comes standard with a 2.4 liter 237 horsepower/253 lb. feet of torque 4-cylinder mated to a six-speed double clutch automatic that lurches sometimes at low speeds. You can get around it by using the excellent paddle shifters but it does hurt drivability. The engine, however, has a truly addictive power curve that thrives on revs and makes a deliriously tasty noise doing so.

The VW GTI, on the other hand, is the velvet glove to the Mitsubishi's Iron Handed fist. It is powered by a 2.0 liter 200 horsepower/207 lb. feet of torque 4-cylinder that has brutal power from idle until redline. The DSG transmission in the VW actually works all of the time and the steering is progressive and gives off more feel than most any front drive car I can think of.

The only thing is, sometimes the VW is so "good at everything" that you wind up realizing it isn't ever really the best. The Lancer Sportback Ralliart may suck at a lot of things but with its full time adjustable setting all-wheel drive giving you more grip than a cat on a cashmere sweater you really begin to trust the limits of this hot hatchback.

Add in steering feel that is more finely honed, tight and more precise than an all star NBA player at the height of his career and you might get an idea about why this hot hatch is such a fun car to drive. The Mitsubishi is all the more endearing because of its faults but the VW is probably much nicer to live with day to day. (Advantage: Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart)

Value

The GTI's base price of $23,664 handily beats the Lancer Ralliart's $27,590 base price. Although both can max out at around $30,000, at that price the GTI has leather, navigation, moonroof and a USB/iPod integration. In simple terms, you get more for you money with a GTI and its residual values are expected to be higher after 5 years according to Edmunds.com. (Advantage: VW GTI)

Fuel Economy

The GTI returns 21 city/31 highway according to the EPA and over a week of testing I averaged about 23. The 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart is rated at 17 city/25 highway but during a week of testing that model I averaged only 11 miles per gallon. A Cadillac Escalade could do that. (Advantage: VW GTI)

Verdict

For most buyers out there, the 2010 VW GTI just makes a whole lot more sense. And while the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart may not make one iota of sense on paper, the minute you settle into the tight Recaro sport seats you really will feel like the king of the world. Only, you'll be the king of a world that says your car is second best. (1^st Place: VW GTI, 2^nd Place: Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart)