The Galant sedan grows up with a new design emerging in 2004 to mark a new generation for Mitsubishi's mid-size staple. Galant for 2004 is bigger than the previous version and amounts to one of the largest sedans in the mid-size segment.

It has an expanded passenger compartment with ample space for five riders including significant legroom and shoulder room on the rear bench. And it looks glamorous with crisp yet curvy body forms and glittery headlamp and taillight clusters.

Mitsubishi puts muscle aboard from four-cylinder and V6 powertrains. A base four displacing 2.4 liters has valve timing that's a mouthful of a name best crimped to the acronym of MIVEC, which stands for Mitsubishi innovative valve timing and lift electronic control. It rocks with 160 hp. A 3.8-liter V6 makes 230 hp and works with a Sportronic automatic. Two models use the four-cylinder engine and two carry the V6.

An entry-level Galant DE has the four-pack plant and a four-speed automatic transaxle with disc brakes for all wheels, while Galant ES upgrades with a 270-watt audio system plus anti-lock brake system (ABS).

Galant LS V6 uses the Sportronic automatic with a traction control system (TCS) as the GTS V6 has sporty suspension tweaking plus projector headlamps in the prow and leather hides covering seats in the cockpit.

The compact Lancer sedan first came ashore in North America in 2002 as upgraded replacement for Mitsubishi's unassuming subcompact Mirage sedan. It was bigger than Mirage and carried a larger and more powerful engine, with a more substantial structure supporting the slick exterior package and more sophisticated mechanical hardware aboard, plus luxury equipment standard in a rather cushy cabin.

The enlarged structure - adding four more inches of length compared to the wheelbase for Mirage - elevated Lancer to the center of the compact class of imported sedans. Measure all of them and Lancer ends up with the longest body, while the expansive passenger cabin scores best-in-class legroom for front seats.

Exterior styling looks strong and aggressive, with wheels pinned at corners to balance the stance. Body parts extend only briefly over front and back edges in the manner of racers as the two-step face and windshield tip backward to suggest swift movement. New sculpting of the front-end for 2004 shows the Mitsubishi signature grille front and center on the prow with new integrated bumpers and halogen headlamps at front corners.

Mitsubishi casts Lancer in four editions this year including a new Ralliart trim with additional horsepower. Four trims draw from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that nets 120 hp and connects to a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic. Lancer ES is the base issue, with luxury version Lancer LS adding equipment and Lancer O-Z Rally wearing sporty body additions inspired by rally racers.

Lancer Ralliart draws on Lancer Evolution for styling and also carries more hardware, such as a taut-tuned suspension, sport bucket seats and larger disc brakes, and it gets more power too - 162 hp - with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine out of the Outlander wagon. (CONTINUED...)