Is the Lancer Evolution all-wheel drive?

Yes. Every Evo X uses S-AWC, which combines the ACD, AYC, ABS and active stability control. NRCan defines AWD as designed to operate with all wheels powered, unlike 4WD, which can run on two or four.

Is a Lancer Evo good in snow?

Yes, on four matching winter tires with Snow mode selected. The factory tires are summer tires, and Mitsubishi recommends same-size winter tires for winter driving.

Can you put tire chains on an Evo X?

No. Mitsubishi's owner's manual says chains can't be used because there isn't enough clearance between the chains and the body.

What fuel does a Lancer Evolution X need?

Premium. The manual recommends 93 octane for full performance and names 91 as the minimum for exhaust system durability.

How far can an Evo X go on a tank?

About 450 km at the 2015 five-speed's 12.3 L/100 km combined rating, based on the 55 L tank listed in the owner's manual.

How do I check an Evo for open recalls?

Use the VIN. Transport Canada says to look up recalls by VIN on the manufacturer's website, and its own database covers recalls issued in Canada since 1970.

Lancer Evo AWD Guide: Winter Performance, Fuel Economy and Ownership Costs

AutoScout24

2026-10-28 · 9 min read

Lancer Evo AWD Guide: Winter Performance, Fuel Economy and Ownership Costs

Lancer Evo all-wheel drive is Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC).

Lancer Evo all-wheel drive is Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC). On the Evo X, the only Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution sold new in Canada, it ties an active centre differential, Active Yaw Control, ABS and stability control into one system with a Snow mode. On four matching winter tires, it's a strong winter car. Budget for premium gas and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) ratings of 12.3 to 12.7 L/100 km.

Key Takeaways

Mitsubishi Canada says S-AWC debuted on the Lancer Evolution X in 2007.
The 2015 owner's manual offers three S-AWC modes: Tarmac for paved roads, Gravel for wet or gravel roads and Snow for snow-covered roads.
The 2015 Evo X came on summer tires; Mitsubishi recommends four identical-size winter tires and says tire chains can't be used.
NRCan rates the 2015 Evo at 12.3 L/100 km combined with the five-speed manual and 12.5 with the six-speed automated manual, both on premium gasoline.
Transport Canada's recall data to Oct. 27, 2026, lists 14 recalls for 2008 to 2015 Lancer Evolution models, two of them for airbag sensors damaged by road salt.

AWD System Explained: How Lancer Evo All-Wheel Drive Works

Mitsubishi Canada says most AWD systems can only move torque between the front and rear axles, while S-AWC can route it to individual wheels, a form of torque vectoring. The 2015 owner's manual calls S-AWC an integrated vehicle dynamics control system that manages four parts: the active centre differential (ACD), Active Yaw Control (AYC), the anti-lock braking system and active stability control (ASC).

ACD and Active Yaw Control: What Each Part Does

Mitsubishi calls the first part the Active Center Differential. The manual says it improves acceleration and straight-ahead stability by regulating the centre differential's limiting action and how it distributes drive power.

AYC works at the rear differential. It controls the drive power difference between the two rear wheels, the braking force at all four wheels and the car's yaw moment, which improves cornering. It steps in when the car doesn't turn in response to steering input, which drivers know as understeer. It also stops one wheel from spinning when the left and right tires sit on different surfaces.

Here's why not all AWD systems are the same.

From AYC to S-AWC: Why Canada Only Got the Evo X

Mitsubishi Canada credits rally racing, including the World Rally Championship (WRC), with advancing its all-wheel drive systems. The first Lancer Evolution of 1992 used the 4G63 engine; the Evolution IV gained AYC in 1996 and All-Wheel Control arrived on the Evolution VII in 2001.

According to Mitsubishi Canada, the Evo VIII went to the United States but not Canada because of regulatory issues. NRCan lists Evo X ratings for the 2008 to 2015 model years.

For the bigger picture, read about the evolution of Mitsubishi.

Winter Capability: Evo X Drive Modes on Snow and Ice

On the right tires, the Evo X handles winter well.

Tarmac, Gravel and Snow: Choosing the Right Mode

Press the AWC switch and the S-AWC control mode cycles through three settings:

Tarmac: the default, for paved roads.
Gravel: for somewhat slippery surfaces, such as wet pavement and gravel roads.
Snow: for slippery surfaces, such as snow-covered roads.

You can change modes while driving, and the car remembers your choice. Disconnect the battery and it resets to Tarmac.

Where Mitsubishi's AWD Reaches Its Limits: Braking and Handling

Mitsubishi is blunt. The 2015 manual warns against over-relying on S-AWC, since even S-AWC can't overcome physics, and notes that AYC's braking control doesn't improve stopping performance.

AWD helps you accelerate and hold a line; your tires do the stopping. Here's why you still need winter tires with AWD. On cold mornings, the manual says to drive slowly at first so the transaxle, transfer case and rear axle oil can reach every lubrication point.

Snow mode helps you go. Winter tires help you stop.

Tires and Equipment: Winter Tires for an AWD Evo

On an Evo, Mitsubishi's tire rules protect the drivetrain as well as your grip.

Why the Factory Summer Tires Lose Grip Below 7°C

The 2015 Evo X came on 245/40R18 tires. Mitsubishi's manual says these are summer tires with a high-grip compound, that their grip drops in winter and that winter tires should replace them for winter use.

Transport Canada says all-season and summer tires begin to lose elasticity and traction below 7°C, and that wide high-performance tires not designed for winter aren't suitable for snow-covered roads. Look for the mountain snowflake symbol. In Quebec, winter tires are required from Dec. 1 to March 15 on motor vehicles registered in the province, with limited exceptions.

See all-season, all-weather and winter tires explained.

Four Matching Tires and No Tire Chains

S-AWC needs four tires of the same size, type and brand, with no difference in wear. Mitsubishi warns that a mismatch can raise differential oil temperature and damage the driving system, so replace all four together.

Other rules from the 2015 manual:

Skip tire chains: there isn't enough clearance between chains and the body.
Don't run snow tires above 120 km/h for long periods.
Don't add an aftermarket limited-slip differential, or the ABS may stop working properly.

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Fuel Economy: Lancer Evolution X Ratings vs. Today's AWD Sports Cars

The turbocharged Evo pays for its grip at the pump. See how the Lancer Evolution compares with the Subaru WRX STI as a used buy.

NRCan L/100 km Ratings by Transmission

NRCan's fuel consumption ratings adjust 1995 to 2014 figures to today's five-cycle test, so older numbers are approximate.

Model	Transmission	City	Highway	Combined (L/100 km)
2008 Lancer Evolution	Five-speed manual	14.5	10.6	12.7
2015 Lancer Evolution	Five-speed manual	14.0	10.3	12.3
2015 Lancer Evolution	Six-speed automated manual	14.2	10.5	12.5
2012 Subaru WRX STI	Six-speed manual	14.2	10.4	12.5
2026 Subaru WRX AWD	Six-speed manual	12.4	9.0	10.9
2026 Volkswagen Golf R	Seven-speed automated manual	10.5	7.7	9.3

A 2015 Evo with a manual transmission uses about 13 per cent more fuel than a 2026 WRX manual. Mitsubishi calls the automated manual the Twin Clutch SST.

Premium Gasoline and Annual Fuel Cost

The manual calls for premium unleaded rated 93 for full performance and names 91 as the minimum for exhaust system durability. Regular 87 is an emergency fill only. Here's what premium fuel recommended means.

NRCan's 2026 Fuel Consumption Guide, read Oct. 27, 2026, bases annual fuel cost on 20,000 km and a forecast premium price of $1.75 a litre. Using that forecast price, a 2015 Evo manual would burn about 2,460 L a year, roughly $4,305, against the guide's $3,255 for a 2026 Golf R.

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Ownership Trade-Offs: Recalls, Fluids and Insurance for a Used Evo

Every Evo X is now a used car. Ownership costs come down to fuel, two sets of tires, drivetrain care and insurance.

Our used Mitsubishi Lancer review covers the wider Lancer range.

Transport Canada Recalls to Check by VIN

Transport Canada's data, current to Oct. 27, 2026, lists 14 recalls for Lancer Evolution model years 2008 to 2015. Four stand out:

2009-317 and 2016-382: road salt corrosion can crack the front airbag impact sensors and delay deployment. Read about the Lancer airbag sensor recall.
2013-316: the clutch master cylinder on 2008 to 2013 models may fail.
2018-588: water from the cowl can corrode the wiper link ball joint and stop the wipers.

Transport Canada's recall guidance says to use the VIN to look up recalls on the manufacturer's website.

Drivetrain Care, Clutch Service and Insurance Quotes

Mitsubishi's service intervals live in the Warranty and Maintenance Manual, which includes a severe-service schedule. Ask for records of transfer case and rear differential fluid changes and any clutch work.

Here's what to know about buying a used AWD car.

Get an insurance quote first. The Insurance Bureau of Canada's 2026 How Cars Measure Up page says make, model, year, value and repair costs all affect your premium.