CG Lancer

Mitsubishi steered an ultra-conservative styling path with its CG-series Lancer that was introduced to Australia in mid-2002 – two years after its Japanese launch.

The Lancer matched its main small-car rivals in dimensions and offered a lusty 92kW/173Nm 2.0-litre engine mated to either a four-speed auto or five-speed manual gearbox.

Meanwhile the ancient CE Lancer sedan and coupes continued, the former until early 2003 and the latter to late 2004.

The sedan-only CG Lancer was bigger, stronger and offered more passenger and luggage space than its CE sedan predecessor.

At first there was the LS, sporty VR-X and luxury Exceed, but a base model ES arrived in early 2003.

It projected a more grown-up feel, with a well-presented interior including an attractive, quality dash layout and praiseworthy attention to detail – but the general performance and dynamics seemed a generation behind rivals like the Holden Astra.