I went to South Coast Mitsubishi this past weekend to get my free oil change and of course asked for a test drive. Here are a few of my overall impressions of the the X:

Let's start with the driving. The salesmen (Sam) pulled out in a blue GSR model. First thing I noticed was that the Recaro seats did not seem to support me as well as the IX seats. I have heard that there is a seat upgrade? Is there a base and upgraded Recaro option available? I pulled out of rhe driveway and drove down the block to a sidestreet that allowed some space to push the car. The acceleration felt good and the car felt solid flying around a couple of corners. One of the biggest differences I noticed was that the shifter throw is a lot shorter in the X than it is in the IX. That is huge for me as there have been several times when I have grinded gears because of the long throw. However, the trade-off is that the shifter doesn't quite feel as positive as the IX 5-speed. The IX gearbox has no rubberyness at all, where as I felt a slight rubbery feel in the X shifter. The new engine sounds better than the 4G63. It has less of a ready, peaky sound and the exhaust note overall is a little lower pitched than the IX. The car is much quieter and less mechanical. It really is the definition of a refined Evo. The suspension actually felt about as stiff as the IX. The car had the same feeling as the IX going over bumps and undulations in the road. So overall, I enjoyed the test drive, although you really cannot get ebnough feedback on a 7-10 minute test drive.

Interior/Exterior impressions: I am slowly becoming less enamored with the overall high doorsill look that the entire auto industry has adopted, and the X is no different. Huge-honking doors and tiny claustrophobic windows. That is a personal thing of mine, and doesn't detract from the overall look of the car. I'm not a fan of the new rear wing, in either the low or the SSS package form. I think the Evo IX spoiler is much nicer, again my opinion. The plastic on the support area on the high wing looks cheap and seems to be a downgrade from the carbon fiber of the VIII-IX. The salesman said you can piece together the optional body kit on the car whcih thank god is an option. I can say I do not like the side skirts that are part of the SSS package at all. First, it takes away from the natural lines of the side of the car--including making the car seem less flared, makes the wheels seem even smaller, and it start to approach a Fast and Furious roll call. Same goes for the rear lower spoiler. The SSS package front spoiler is the only part of the package that works on the car and that i'd get as an option. I would also option the new wicker bill that was installed on one of the showroom models. The interior is way better then the IX. yes, materials are still on the cheap side as a lot of people have mentioned, but its a huge improvement over the IX. Along with the shorter throw shifter, the other thing I'd rate the best improvement over the IX is the gauge cluster. The gauges are so old-fashioned and cheap looking compared with the X gauges. The worst thing I noticed about the X was that I really missed the mechanical whine of the drivetrain from the IX. I would definitely have to have more time to drive and disect the car, but at this point if you asked me my preference, I'd take a IX hands down. Oh, and the trunk is tiny!

 

The SSS package has nothing to do with the body aside from the wing. The Aero package is the body kit option.

 

where is the package info available? Nothing on the Mitsu's NA site and SC doesn't have packages listed.

I'll amend my comments to say the side skirts as part of the aero package are not so pleasing to the eye

 

I'm just tying to help makes things clear. There is enough confusion about all these packages as it is.

 

I bet the car feels to heavy for a 2 liter to be pushing it, huh? I bet it takes time for the x to hit the quicker full boost rpm? So the you think the x dosent feel any more rigid and solid then the ix?

 

I agree with your door thing. Why is it so high now. That used to be my arm wrest for long drives, but I noticed it didn't fit anymore. At least, not comfortably. Could you elaborate on the seats not fitting you? I am a larger guy (6'3" 265 pounds) and the seats fit me a ton better then the VIII and IX seats did. They held me in place a lot better. What didn't you like specifically about the seats?

 

Side impact safety regulations require more door beams. So its either a much thicker door or a taller door, most go taller.

 

Im starting to wonder if short people can even see out of these windows while driving.

 

stop posting and start reading

you're just ASSuming

 

My X is infinitely more solid than my IX or VIII were. Probably like the VII felt more solid than the VI.

 

yep the VII is feel more solid but heavier then the VI... How ironic is that???

 

The new Evo seats is one area I'm a little unclear about. I had thought there was only one seat option for the car, but apparently there are two? I'm 5'11" and around 180. Not sure why, but for some reason the seat cushion side support seemed a little narrow for my ****. Maybe its just the fact I'm used to the Evo IX seat. As for chassis rigidity, you cannot argue with the facts. the chassis is better, however there is simply not enough time to really explore this and feel the difference in a 10 minute test drive. The car felt good, but I need to go fast on a track to see what the X can really do.

 

lol you sound STI fan the 2L heavier evo is faster than 2.5L lighter boxy engine

 

I think mitsu is hiding boost lag with:
increased gearing
the 2way The mivec
and a smaller turbo

basically I estimate from what I have read is that the top end is where the IX is stronger.

 

So you like the drivetrain noise your IX has??? Wow...good review and all, but ive never heard someone say that they like the drivetrain noise/and wine that the evo makes. But ohhh well nice overview