2016 Mitsubishi Lancer: What's Changed

• Most significant changes: Turbocharged Ralliart model is dropped from the lineup; ES gains the optional 2.4-liter engine and all-wheel drive; new SEL trim level with 2.4-liter engine and all-wheel drive
• Price change: Base price on ES increases $200, and the GT, which adds a standard power sunroof, is $1,900 higher.
• On sale: Late October
• Which should you buy, 2015 or 2016? 2015

Mitsubishi remains a small player in the U.S., and the Lancer is one of the slower-selling compact sedans in a segment that includes the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Cruze, all of which have fresher designs and more to offer. For 2016, the Lancer gets an update with exterior styling tweaks, a new trim level and a revised continuously variable automatic transmission.

Related: Research the Mitsubishi Lancer

Aside from lightly updated front styling, the Lancer's face also wears LED running lights for 2016. Inside, there are new cloth seats and a redesigned center console with a built-in USB port. ES, GT, and SE models carry over; the SEL model is new this year and slots below the top-of-the-line GT trim. Additional SEL features include leather seats and rain-sensing wipers with auto on/off headlights.

The base Lancer ES is the best value, but it comes with a noisy 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces modest power. The 2.4-liter engine, newly available for 2016 on the ES and standard on other models, provides peppier acceleration, but the suggested retail prices are north of $20,000 once you add the destination charge and any options; all-wheel drive is also newly available on the base model. Neither engine is a fuel economy champ, though Mitsubishi says the revised CVT should offer better fuel economy this year; EPA estimates are not yet available.

Mitsubishi also announced that model-year 2015 will be the Lancer Evolution's last. Mitsubishi is giving the Evo its swan song in the sedan's 10th year with the 2015 Lancer Evolution Final Edition, a limited run of 1,600 cars. The exiting Evo offers a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 303 horsepower and 305 pounds-feet of torque. It wears Final Edition badging, a black painted aluminum roof, a gloss-black center bumper and hood air outlet, dark chrome painted alloy wheels and grille surround, bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights and a choice of New Pearl White, Octane Blue, Rally Red and Mercury Gray paint. The Evolution starts at $35,305, excluding a destination charge, and is expected to arrive at dealerships next month.

Mitsubishi dealers should still have plenty of 2015 models available that they're eager to sell; there are more than 2,500 model-year 2015 Lancers in Cars.com's national inventory. The best selling points for the Lancer might be the five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/10,000-mile powertrain warranty, which provide long-term peace of mind at no extra cost.