At first glance this Lancer appears pricey. Its product quality is leaps ahead of the old model, but the resultant price hike puts it into Volkswagen Passat and Mazda6 territory.

On closer examination, however, prospective buyers will notice the masses of standard kit which this GS4 spec Lancer has.

Passat buyers will need to find another £2,000 to stick optional sat-nav, leather and cruise control on to the equivalent diesel to bring it to equal spec.

In GS4 guise it even looks a bit like its crazy Evolution X brother, and is entertaining to throw around roundabouts.

Its Volkswagen-sourced diesel is gutsy, but a bit noisy. Still, if Mitsubishi UK can get enough supplies it could be a hit with savvy corporate drivers.
 

• Engine: 2.0-litre DI-D
• Price: £18,499