2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback — Full Specifications
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The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is an estate/wagon offered with 2 engines (2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 32 mpg (UK) / 27 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 30–32 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Related listing: see also the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer page for the base Lancer listing, which may cover additional engines and body styles.
Compared with the 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 32 mpg (UK) combined. No longer listed: 2L 4-cyl turbo. It holds a 4★ overall NHTSA rating (none is on record for the 2011 model).
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (AV-S6) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Estate/Wagon |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 95 cu ft (2,690 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 14 cu ft (396 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 32 combined / 29 urban / 38 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 27 combined / 24 city / 32 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 205 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,500 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback across 2 engines (2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 25 to 27 mpg (US), or 30 to 32 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 32 | 27 (24/32) | 205 | $2,500 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 | 25 (22/28) | 221 | $2,700 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 95 cubic feet (about 2,690 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
Running Costs: 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback at 32 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,136 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,500 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Engine and engine cooling (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Engine and engine cooling — campaign 18V069000, reported 26 January 2018. Risk: If the drive belt detaches, the battery will discharge and the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. The most-reported areas are Power train (6), Engine (5), Steering (2). Complaints include 3 reported crashes, 1 reported injury. That is close to the median of 23 complaints across the 5 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Engine cooling (1 recall campaign) — Check coolant level, look for leaks and make sure the temperature stays steady in traffic.
- Transmission & drivetrain (6 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Engine (5 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Steering (2 owner complaints) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback compare to similar estate/wagons? For context, estate/wagons in our database average around 34 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 32 mpg figure is 2 mpg below that average. This comparison is based on 194 estate/wagons in our dataset.
At 32 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 33 mpg average for Mitsubishi models in our database.
Of the 5 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback model years we cover, the 2012 is the most economical on its best configuration (32 mpg UK combined). See every Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback: 2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2L 4-cyl with a automatic (av-s6).
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback?
The most efficient configuration returns around 32 mpg (UK) combined, or 27 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 30 to 32 mpg.
How much does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,500 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Engine and engine cooling (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback?
Among the 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Power train (6 complaints), Engine (5 complaints), Steering (2 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 95 cubic feet (about 2,690 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.
Is the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback's fuel economy good for an estate/wagon?
It returns around 32 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 34 mpg among the estate/wagons we track.