2016 Mitsubishi LANCER SPORTBACK

For 2016, the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback hatchback gets a minor update that includes freshened front-end styling and a revised optional continuously variable (CVT) automatic transmission. The rest remains the same for a car that has been around a long time.

Sportback models use a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that makes 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, which comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission and can be optioned with the previously mentioned automatic CVT. A 2.4L engine and optional AWD offered in the sedan are not available here.

The renewed front end brings a bit of flair to the oldest design in a field of compact hatchbacks that includes handsome cars like the Mazda3 Sport, Hyundai Elantra GT and Ford Focus. While it may not look as slick as more recent designs, but there's a generous 433 litres of trunk space behind the rear seats, thanks to a two-level cargo floor.

Official fuel consumption estimates are 9.9/7.2 L/100 km (city/highway) with the manual transmission, and 9.2/7.1 with the CVT.

SE trim ($19,798) comes with 16-inch wheels, auto-off headlights, heated side mirrors, heated front seats in cloth upholstery, six-way driver and four-way front passenger seat adjustments, height-adjustable cargo floor, automatic climate control, Bluetooth, keyless entry, power windows, cruise control, four-speaker stereo, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel and a trip computer.

The SE Limited model ($20,698) adds machine-finished wheels, fog lights, LED daytime running lights, exhaust finisher, "limited edition" badging, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, display audio system and a backup camera.

Finally, the GT trim ($24,698) gets leather seating, gloss black/diamond pattern instrument panel accents, stitched soft door panel inserts, intelligent keyless entry, nine-speaker amplified stereo, satellite radio, high-contrast gauges and a colour trip computer display. In the GT, the CVT also adds steering wheel mounted shift paddles.