Overview & Reviews

Mitsubishi has built its brand in the United States with a selection of cars and SUVs that tend to offer above-average performance and style. The parent company has its roots in producing commercial vehicles for its home market of Japan.

A Japanese word meaning "three diamonds," Mitsubishi was founded in by Yataro Iwasaki, a descendant of samurais, in the early 1870s. The company's initial focus was on shipping, but it quickly diversified into areas such as mining and ship repair. In 1917, Mitsubishi unveiled the Model A, Japan's first series production passenger car.

It wasn't until 1960, with the launch of the compact Mitsubishi 500, that the company began producing passenger vehicles on a large scale. That decade also saw the launch of other Mitsubishi light passenger vehicles like the 360 Van and 360 Pickup. The company also distinguished itself on the racetrack during this decade, taking top honors in Japan's Grand Prix.

Mitsubishi's automobile production arm was officially spun off into a company of its own with the establishment of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in 1970. The company's Colt made its way to American shores in 1971, the same year in which Chrysler purchased a 15 percent stake in the new company. However, the Colt wasn't sold under the Mitsubishi name, but rather under the Dodge brand, reflecting Chrysler's interest in the company. By the end of the decade, Mitsubishi was producing more than 1 million cars per year.

In 1982, Mitsubishi began selling cars in the U.S. under its own name. Through the '80s it offered a variety of cars for the states, including the subcompact Mirage, turbocharged Starion sports car and midsize Galant sedan. Mitsubishi hit its stride in the '90s, thanks to the popularity of the Eclipse sport coupe and 3000GT sports car in the U.S. and the turbocharged Lancer Evolution in other parts of the world.

Chrysler made the most of its partnership, as it used Mitsubishi platforms under many of its models. The Eclipse, in particular, was a key vehicle produced by the Diamond Star Motors partnership. In 1998, Chrysler merged with Daimler-Benz to become DaimlerChrysler. Mitsubishi's partnership continued with DaimlerChrysler for a few years but was financially terminated by 2003.

The new millennium has been a struggle for Mitsubishi. Its vehicles have grown stale with consumers and sales have wavered. At one point the company was forced to admit that it had systematically covered up vehicle defects in Japan. On the upside, though, the company's compact, high-performance sedan, the Lancer Evolution, has been a continuing success in the United States. Going forward, Mitsubishi plans to revitalize its brand by developing environmentally friendly vehicles (such as its all-electric "i" hatchback) that are still fun to drive.

User Reviews:

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  Terrible - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero
  By LarryC - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This car handles terribly in the snow,even in 4WD!I was sold a billof goods.Terribole dealership, Terrible car.NEVER AGAIN!!!

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  NOT SATISFIED! - 2010 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By dissatisfied13 - September 16 - 8:43 am

  I purchased a 2010 Mitsubishi Endeavour about 6 months ago. About 1 month ago a loud wheezing noise started coming from the engine. The noise did not start till about a month ago and it only at speeds of 60mhp and above and only when the car has been running about 10 min. I took it to Mitsubishi and the regional manager determinied it to be normal engine noise. I asked why the noise was not there for the first three months the all of a sudden started. He told me that is what his service engineeers told him. I will NEVER purchase another Mistubishi car again as long as I live. VERY disappointed in the service I have received from this problem!

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  Piece of crap - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Cookies Rock - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I hate this car with all my life! As soon as I got it I loved it because it was my dream car but I soon started regretting throughout the years Ive had it I had put in over 3 grand in the car it kept on breaking down on me all the time and finally my transmission went out on me and I kept up with my car too so its over all a piece of crap.

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  Buyer beware - 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By BURNTLANCER - July 7 - 1:46 am

  I purchased this lancer b/c of fuel economy and style, Mits is a good name (so I thought) & 6 year 60,000 bumper to bumper helped. 6 weeks ago on a normal day with the car only running maybe 5 min as I made a left turn the car just shuts off. Next thing I know the engine is on fire - fire department comes & puts the fire out. Car is still under warranty so I call Mits -- they deny claim with out even looking at the car. They do not stand behind their cars nor do they honor the warranty. I would not buy any car from this company.

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  Looking towards an SUV... - 2004 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By dankiedank - June 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is nice and fun but it looks like a Buick skylark in the front to me and it makes it look dated in design I feel! I like the options available on this car, but the front end just doesnt have the look of the newer sedans, however it does now on the 2004 model. I am leaning towards a SUV for perfomance, space, and options. The SUV seems to be the new phase in luxury! This cars is just a just car to me, I guess I am not as impressed with it as I thought I would be at first. And there isnt that many on the road! You never see them. What is up with that?

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  Not Too Pleased - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By donnat - May 13 - 10:00 am

  The absolute WORST thing about this car is that both front doors make an awful rattling noise when you shut them. Im told that itll cost me $100 just to look at them...then the price keeps going up from there. Also, the paint job is HORRIBLE! Ive never seen so many little scratches on a car of mine. (Guess thats because I always had a Toyota).My bottom line is ...I cant see what all my teens friends see in it. I guess they like the commercials.

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  Regret My Quick Decision to Buy - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By LisaD2003 - March 1 - 9:56 pm

  I bought my 2003 Mitsubishi Galant ES used in August 2003 with approx 30,000 miles on it. It seemed like a good deal at the time, but I was never truly excited about the car. Lots of little things have gone wrong over the past year and a half. The most annoying problem has been squeaky brakes...the car has been in to the dealer at least 5 times for very loud squeaky brakes, and it still isnt totally fixed. The design of the car is boring, inside and out. It cant get out of its own way on the highway. Once youre up to speed its okay, but forget accelearting quickly to pass. Im currently in the market for a new car, and it definitely will not be a Mitsubishi!

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  stand by your product!! P.O.S. - 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Kevin E. - February 20 - 10:00 am

  We got suckered in a "smart buy" program.What a joke! The name applies only if you dont fall for it. The Stereo went out the first five minutes after we took it off the lot. It took over a week to get a replacement.Steering wheel wobbles and they wont fix it. Front end feels as if it is about to fall apart and it chews up tires like crazy.

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  Look at something else - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Larry - February 14 - 4:30 pm

  Bought this car thinking it would be a good median for everything, I was wrong. I have had the car for 6 months and its been in the dealership 5 times (3 for problems). Most noteably is an engine rattle that seems to come and go. The car sounds like a 12 year old Buick. This was a sad regrettable purchase. Just about everything else in the car rattles to, and I have babied the car...

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  Disappointed - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Sue - September 6 - 3:46 pm

  I must say after owning a Honda and a Toyota the quality of the Mitsubishi has been really disappointing. I had the timing belt, front main leak, rear main leak, O2 sensor and Transmission all fail under 65000 miles. I feel that Mitsubishi is a poor product. They suffer from poor customer service, and the book value has a horrible, horrible return when you go to sell it. So I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone who wants longevity.