this was actually a major debate for me about a month ago.. I decided to go for the new lancer simply because it offers much more value for roughly the same $$$

I do still love Honda's but in the real world with certain budget I just can't justify buying a new Civic Vti-L over the new Lancer VR. I still have and love my EG, but the Lancer is a better drive compared to the FD imo ( I drove both extensively before buying ) hence the decision on buying it.

I agree on the brand recognition that Honda > Mitsu , but to say that the lancer feels sluggish is simply saying that the Civic feels worse. They are both by no means a sports car but with bigger engine, the Lancer feels more responsive than the Civic.

As for the interior, the Civic feels somehow cramped due to massive dash which also gives me trouble checking oncoming traffic when I wanted to make turns. Also I dont quite like the grey plastic they use in the Civic. Civic does have bigger capacity boot and better view from the rear view mirror, while Lancer's rear view mirror is next to useless and the boot isn't quite as big. And I like the flat rear floor of the Civic.

However, the overall value of the Lancer is far better when you add in auto headlamp, rain sensing wipers, 7 airbags, 2.0L 113kw engine, and in my case free sunroof.. the price quoted after haggling for the Vti-L at the time was $27,099 with all the usual stuff (carpet, tint, full tank of petrol, 3yr warranty) and the Lancer was $27,199 with sunroof, carpet, tint, 5yr warranty and 5yr NRMA roadside assist..