| assembly = Japan: Okazaki (Nagoya Plant)<br />India: Tiruvallur (Hindustan)<br />Indonesia: Pademangan, North Jakarta (PT. Krama Yudha Kesuma Motor: until June 2005)<br />Philippines: Cainta (2008–2012)<br />China: Fuzhou (Soueast)<br />Taiwan: Yangmei (China Motor)<br />Thailand: Laem Chabang (MMTh)<br />Malaysia: Shah Alam, Selangor<br />Venezuela: Barcelona (MMC Automotriz)<br />Vietnam: Dĩ An, Bình Dương ()
| designer = Shuzo Akamine (1997)
| body_style = 4-door sedan<br />5-door station wagon
| layout = Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
| platform = CS2A–CS9W
| related = Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
| engine =
| transmission = 5-speed manual<br />4-speed automatic<br />4-speed INVECS-II automatic<br />CVT automatic (INVECS-III)
| wheelbase =
| length =
| width =
| height =
| weight =
May 2000 saw the release in Japan of the Lancer Cedia (meaning CEntury DIAmond), though in most markets the previous 1995 vintage Mirage-based Lancer soldiered on for a while longer, production continuing at Mitsubishi's Mizushima plant in Japan. The new model was available in sedan and station wagon forms. In Europe, the Lancer was not offered in some countries, being too close to the size of the Dutch-built Mitsubishi Carisma, so the Evolution VII model sold there bore the Carisma name. This series of Lancer was still sold in Japan for 3 years alongside the 2007 onwards generation Lancer, sold there as the "Galant Fortis".<gallery widths="200">
File:2002-2003 Mitsubishi Lancer (CG) Exceed sedan 01.jpg|Lancer Exceed sedan (Australia; pre-facelift)
File:Mitsubishi lancercediawagon cs5w touringsportinteriorpackage 1 r (cropped).jpg|Estate/station wagon (Japan; pre-facelift)
</gallery>In February 2003, for the 2004 model year, a heavily restyled Lancer surfaced with a front styling that brought it into line with the Mitsubishi corporate look, as well as a restyled rear, to further differentiate itself from the Lancer Evolution. The car's grille was then redesigned again in 2005 for the 2006 model year.<gallery widths="200">
File:2004 Mitsubishi Lancer (CH MY05) ES Limited Edition sedan (2015-07-03) 01 (cropped).jpg|Sedan (facelift)
File:2004 Mitsubishi Lancer (CH MY05) ES Limited Edition sedan (2015-07-03) 02 (cropped).jpg|Sedan (facelift)
File:2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Equippe Estate 1.6.jpg|Estate/station wagon (Europe)
File:2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback LS, rear right, 02-06-2023.jpg|Estate/station wagon (North America)
</gallery>
Marketing
Asia
In Japan, the Lancer Cedia was offered with many different trim levels and engines, including some options never exported, such as a cargo variant of the station wagon, which was replaced by a rebranded Nissan AD. It was also one of the first models to use the INVECS-III CVT transmission. There was also a Ralliart version of the Sportswagon which was powered by a turbocharged 1.8-liter GDI engine. Until 2010, it was still sold alongside the 9th generation, known in Japan as the Galant Fortis.
<gallery widths="200">
File:Mitsubishi Lancer Cargo 2003 1.jpg|Lancer Cargo (facelift, Japan)
File:Mitsubishi Lancer Cargo 002 (cropped).JPG|Lancer Cargo (facelift, Japan)
</gallery>
In Taiwan, the Mitsubishi Lancer was produced and marketed by China Motor Corporation, and the car was slightly restyled in the beginning with larger front grilles, extra chrome trims, and the rear license plate located on the trunk lid instead of the rear bumper. Later, following the internationally sold facelift version, the front lamps were restyled and reshaped to be triangular while the tail lamps extended onto the trunk lid which is different from the version sold in other parts of the world. An additional facelift was added again in 2005 with white marker lights in the front replacing the amber ones and restyled tail lamps.
<gallery widths="180">
File:Mitsubishi Lancer mk8 prefacelift Taiwan 001.jpg|Sedan front (pre-facelift; Taiwanese spec)
File:Mitsubishi Lancer mk8 prefacelift Taiwan 002.jpg|Sedan rear (pre-facelift; Taiwanese spec)
File:Mitsubishi Lancer 2005 Taiwan 002.jpg|Sedan rear (facelift; Taiwanese spec)
</gallery>
In Indonesia, the Lancer was available in GLXi and SEi trims. It was assembled locally and sold from 2002 until 2012.
In Malaysia, the Lancer was made available after Mitsubishi had sold all its shares in Malaysian carmaker Proton, marking the return of Mitsubishi in the Malaysian market after being absent since 1985 due to the agreement with Proton. The Lancer sold in Malaysia was powered by the 4G18 engine which also powered the early 1.6-liter Proton Waja model.
In the Philippines, the eighth-generation Lancer Cedia was launched in 2003, sourced from Mitsubishi's Thailand plant until 2008, with 2008 to 2012 models assembled in Mitsubishi's production plant in Cainta, Rizal. Grade levels were include; the GLX, GLS and MX. Both GLX and GLS were powered with a 1.6-litre 4G18 SOHC engine, making with 110 PS (81 kW). The MX was powered with a 1.8-litre 4G93 SOHC engine. Transmission choices were a 5-speed manual (for GLX and GLS) or 4-speed INVECS-III CVT (for GLS and MX). The refreshed Lancer was introduced between 2005 and 2007 with the same 3 grades, while the GLS with manual transmission has been discontinued. During 2007, Mitsubishi Philippines also marketed both GT and GSR grades. Both were powered with a 2.0-litre 4G63 engines and mated with a 4-speed INVECS-II CVT transmissions. The only differences between that the GT received semi-bucket seats and a Momo steering wheel, while the GSR had leather seats and only came in Glaire Beige (champagne). In 2008, another facelift version was introduced and the MX, GT and GSR grades were removed from the lineup. It was only offered in 2 grades were available; the GLX with a 5-speed manual transmission and GLS with an INVECS-III CVT transmission and foglights. Both were powered with a 1.6-litre 4G18 engines.
In Pakistan, this variant was launched in 2005 with cosmetic changes from the front and the back. Thai production was switched to the new model, and in all markets except for India the previous model was no longer marketed, four years after the Cedia's introduction. In India, it was first introduced at the 2006 Auto Expo in New Delhi as the Lancer Cedia, complementing the lower-priced Lancer. All Lancer variants were built by Mitsubishi's Indian partner Hindustan Motors. From 2009 on, it was sold under the Cedia name alone, available as the Cedia Select and the Cedia Sports.
Australia
In Australia, this series of Lancer was introduced as the CG series in July 2002 with the 2.0-liter 4G94 engine. The 2003 facelift, designated the CH series, introduced a heavily updated VR-X, which included new 16" alloys, stiffer suspension, body styling kit, and gear shifter borrowed from the Lancer Evolution. In 2004, the new Lancer wagon was introduced as a direct replacement for its ageing circa 1992 predecessor.
In August 2005, all Lancers were upgraded to the 2.4-liter 4G69 engine, producing and of torque. The upgraded engine also saw a change in trim levels and upgraded equipment—the ES and LS models now featured a more upmarket looking black interior, while the VR-X gained a new black grille to closer resemble the Lancer Evolution IX. The equipment levels of all models were also upgraded, with the LS and VR-X gaining climate control, and a premium audio system sourced from the luxury Mitsubishi Verada. The Exceed model was discontinued, and all updated models now used JDM sized rear bumpers instead of the larger USDM sized versions. Additionally, the wagon also saw these changes; and as of 2007, continues to be sold alongside the sedan.
The ES and LS models were given a minor facelift for the 2007 model year; this time gaining the same front grille as the US models, and putting it into line with the current corporate look—similar to that of the Colt and the locally built 380. A limited edition ES model dubbed "Velocity" went on sale prior to this generation being replaced. This package included VR-X grille, rear spoiler, leather/Alcantara bolstered seats, sports pedals, 15-inch alloy wheels and chrome exhaust tip—all for the same price as the previous standard ES.
Europe
In some European markets, the Lancer began to take the place of the Carisma in 2004. It is powered by a 1.3-liter SOHC 16-valve 4G13 engine producing at 5,000 rpm and of torque at 4,000 rpm. The next engine in the range is the 1.6-liter SOHC 4G18 engine producing at 5,000 rpm and at 4,000 rpm. Finally, there is the 2.0-liter DOHC 4G63 producing at 5,750 rpm and at 4,500 rpm.
North America
In North America, the Lancer was introduced in 2001 for the 2002 model year as a direct replacement for the Mirage. In the United States, Chrysler had offered an unrelated Dodge Lancer at various stages between the 1950s and 1980s. However, when Daimler, who owned Chrysler at the time, briefly controlled Mitsubishi through the DaimlerChrysler-Mitsubishi alliance from 2000 through to 2004, the rights to the "Lancer" name were relinquished to Mitsubishi for usage in North America. Consequently, after Mitsubishi discontinued the 1995 series Mirage for North America in 2001, the replacement model adopted the Lancer name for the first time. This also allowed Mitsubishi to save themselves the licensing fees to use the "Mirage" name from Grand Touring Cars, Inc., who had the rights to the name for the Mirage race car series.
North American Lancers were powered by a 2.0-liter 4G94 engine producing and of torque. In Mexico, the Lancer sedan was available in DE, ES, LS and GS trims with a 2.0-liter DOHC 4G63 engine.
thumb|2006 Mitsubishi Lancer ES (North American spec)In addition to the facelift, North America received three additional models to the Lancer line in 2004—Lancer Ralliart, LS Sportback and Ralliart Sportback. Ralliart slots in between the base models and high-performance Evolution. These cars came equipped with Mitsubishi's 2.4-liter 4G69 engine (rated at / for the Sportback, and / for the Ralliart). The power gain was due to a tuned muffler for the Ralliart, and also included a new, stiffer suspension package that improved handling and lowered for Ralliart and lifted the LS Sportback by 2.9 inches. The LS Sportback had 15-inch steel or optional 15-inch alloy wheels. The Ralliart came with 16-inch alloy wheels, front bucket seats borrowed from Japan's Mitsubishi Evolution GT-A, optional fog lamps, and a new aerodynamic ground package for Ralliart. The LS Sportback and Ralliart Sportback were equipped with a four-speed INVECS-II automatic transmission, while the Ralliart came with a five-speed manual transmission with an option for the four-speed automatic.
For the 2006 model year, the fascia was changed again from a bridged fascia to one with an open vent after Mitsubishi received complaints from current owners regarding its similarity in appearance to General Motors Division Pontiac's corporate look, and to bring the appearance closer to its bigger brother, the Evolution.
The Lancer Sportback wagon was cancelled in the United States one year after its release, but the Mitsubishi Lancer wagon was sold in Canada for a while longer.