What year did the Lancer come out?
The Mitsubishi Lancer first came out in 1973. This article traces its launch, how the model line evolved over decades, and what the name has meant for Mitsubishi's global lineup.
Origins and initial release
The Lancer was introduced by Mitsubishi in 1973 as a compact (subcompact in some markets) car designed to broaden the company’s appeal beyond its established Colt lineage. Debuting in Japan, the Lancer quickly found buyers across multiple regions, establishing itself as a practical, efficient choice in the crowded small-car segment. Over the years, successive generations refined the formula with new engines, bodies, and technologies while keeping a focus on value and everyday usability.
Key milestones in the Lancer's history
Below is a concise timeline of major release milestones that shaped the Lancer's global presence and performance image.
- 1973 — The Lancer nameplate makes its debut in Japan as Mitsubishi's new compact sedan/hatchback
- 1992 — Introduction of the Lancer Evolution, the high-performance variant that energized the model's rally heritage
The Lancer Evolution line helped redefine the model's performance image and brought Mitsubishi into prominence in rallying and sport-compact segments. The core Lancer family continued to evolve with new generations that expanded to markets around the world.
Notable milestones and global reach
In addition to the core releases, the Lancer family included multiple body styles (sedan, hatchback, and wagon variants in different markets) and generations tailored to regional demand. While the exact lineup varied by country, the Lancer remained a staple of Mitsubishi's passenger-car strategy for decades, with production continuing in some regions into the late 2010s and into the 2020s in certain markets as Mitsubishi shifted its lineup toward newer platforms.
Notable variants
The Lancer portfolio became widely known for its mainstream models and its high-performance Evolution variants, which contributed to a rally heritage that remains a defining part of the model’s legacy. The Evolution line, in particular, attracted enthusiasts and helped cement the Lancer's global reputation for performance.
Summary
The Lancer first arrived on the market in 1973, establishing Mitsubishi's footprint in the compact-car segment and laying the groundwork for a long-running model family that would grow to include performance-focused variants and a global footprint.
In brief, the Lancer came out in 1973, and its history spans decades of evolution across generations, markets, and performance variants. The line’s legacy includes practical everyday cars as well as the rally-inspired Evolution models that left a lasting mark on automotive culture.
