For a long time, the Mitsubishi Lancer has been known as the affordable small car. Cheaper than the best cars in the class, the Lancer was liked by fleets but it triggered little emotion among private owners. That was the job of the Evo Lancer, which seemed so different it was hardly a Lancer at all. The new CJ Lancer has arrived and is ready to drag the Lancer nameplate out of the bargain basement. It lands on October 1 with a new, more expensive, price-tag of $20,990 which pitches it directly against the new Toyota Corolla and Mazda3. Normally, this would appear to be brave, if not a little crazy, but the new Lancer is a significantly better car than the model it replaces and comes standard with electronic stability control and cruise control. Bold new looks will also help Lancer creep up the price scale along with a smooth new 2.0-litre engine. A VRX range-topping model, with a wicked bodykit and big 18-inch wheels is the hero, until a fire-breathing Evo takes over that role from next April.