2012 Mitsubishi Lancer: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

8 builds left the factory as a 2012 Lancer, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN.

  • 5 main configurations
  • 2,972 vehicles built
  • 16 for sale right now

Which Lancer is yours?

Enter a VIN — the 17 characters on the windshield or the title — and we’ll match it to its exact factory configuration, typical price and equipment.

Works with any VIN — a different year or model takes you straight to its own page.

Pick your Lancer

What actually differs

ES/ES Sport SE · 4WD GT Ralliart · 4WD
Engine 2L 2.4L 2.4L 2L
Typical price today $5,995 $9,495 $7,990 —
For sale right now 4 5 6 1
Vehicles built 1,473 745 581 126
Same on every 2012 Lancer
  • Drivetrain Four-wheel drive
  • Fuel Gasoline
  • Body Sedan
  • Doors 4-door
Price trend

Median up $497 over the last 10 months.

2012 Lancer price history →
Will it hold value?

A Lancer typically keeps about 38% of its price over 5 years — a 5-year-old one runs about $2,995 today.

Lancer depreciation by year →
Cost to run

18/25 mpg city/highway. Roughly $2,330/yr on fuel at 15,000 miles.

EPA estimate for the 2012 Lancer

Safety, in plain English

NHTSA overall crash rating

★★★★ ★ 4 / 5

1 recall on file for this model year — check any specific VIN before you buy.

What JA32U2FU-C means

JA3 2U2FU · C
JA3
the World Manufacturer Identifier Mitsubishi registered — assembled in Japan
2U2FU
together encode the Lancer line — Sedan, 2L — as Mitsubishi filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
C
in position 10 — model year 2012
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
3 rare configurations — mostly fleet, export or irregular VIN patterns. Fewer than 20 known vehicles each.

Already looking at a specific Lancer?

Paste its VIN — we’ll open that exact car’s page: its configuration, market position and every listing we’ve tracked.

2012 Mitsubishi Lancer prices →