Quick Spin
What Is It?
A slightly more comfortable version of the iconic Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. As its name suggests, it’s based on the Evo MR, with its six-speed, dual-clutch automated manual gearbox. The Evo MR Touring presents a somewhat subtler visual image, with its less obnoxious rear wing, while making occupants a bit more comfortable with full leather upholstery, more sound insulation, heated seats, and a sunroof. Auto headlamps and an insulated windshield round out the Touring trim, which is considered the flagship of the Evo line. A classier center console with improved materials comes along for the ride to dress up the interior, as it does for all 2010 Evos and higher-end Lancer trim levels.
How Does It Drive?
Very well, since the additions add only about 30 pounds compared with the MR. The MR Touring still drives like the Evo it is; it just seems to bring a little less craziness than do other Evos (and it can be argued that the normal one brings less craziness than most previous generations of Evos did). In other words, it’s fast, fun, and firm on the road. Retained are the sharp steering, the right-now brakes, and the very aggressively scooped seats. (We still have bruises on our right butt cheek from the first time we hopped in and didn’t quite clear the structurally reinforced lower bolster.) The turbo whirl and rorty note of the 291-hp four-banger are still present, happily, just not as in your face, which should be welcome on longer drives. Indeed, although we probably still wouldn’t choose this car for any “touring” duties, it is certainly the most touring-worthy of the current crop of Evos.
How Does It Stack Up?
If you consider the 305-hp Subaru Impreza WRX STI as the Evo’s only direct competitor, the MR Touring can be considered the most premium and elegant car in its class. Tee-hee. However, at the Touring’s heavens-to-the-high price, there are many other slick rides that are just as fun—however different in character—including the Mazda RX-8, the Infiniti G37, and the BMW 1-series. We wouldn’t buy an MR Touring without cross-shopping the others to see which best handles your own brand of touring.
What’s the Cost?
At $41,710, plus a couple grand for navigation, the Evo MR Touring is a near-$44,000 proposition. Yikes. And it remains hard to get around that price even when bombing around corners with as much hustle as you can muscle. It might be a great used-car deal, however, once the first guy takes the hit, provided the car doesn’t take too many hits itself on its various “tours."
