In Japan, the Lancer Cedia was offered with many different trim levels and engines, including options which were never seen in export markets. 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 L GDI engine. As of 2009, the seventh generation Lancer sedan is still being sold alongside the new eighth generation, which is known in the home market as the Galant Fortis.

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 seventh-generation model was no longer marketed, four years after the Cedia’s introduction. India received the new Lancer in 2006, known locally as the Mitsubishi Cedia to distinguish it from this version that is still assembled and sold as the Lancer because of its continued popularity. In Malaysia, the Lancer was made available after Mitsubishi had sold all its shares in Malaysian carmaker Proton, marking the return of Mitsubishi in 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 Proton Waja model. In the Philippines, the Lancer underwent a facelift, now without the central semi-triangle in the grille. It is offered in 2 trims, the base GLX with a 5-speed manual and the GLS with an all-new INVECS-III CVT with manual override. All of them are powered with an l4 1.6L 4G18 SOHC engine.

In some European markets, the Lancer began to take the place of the Carisma in 2004. It is powered by a 1.3 L SOHC 4G13, 1.6 L SOHC 4G18 engine and a 2.0 L DOHC 4G63 (all 4-cylinder).