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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  105,000 miles - Major Problems About to Hit? - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By endeav04awd - September 28 - 5:38 pm

  I bought this SUV in 2006 with 14,000 miles on it. Enjoyed the comfort, the power, the visibility, and the price. Mileage is average - about what I would expect for the body design and an AWD drivetrain. The AWD has done wonders for tire ware - very even with quality tires. Early on, had the classic water pouring into the passenger and/or driver side floor; 2 trips to the dealership to fix . I get maintenance done regularly. But, engine oil every 3k - 5k with synth oil, & @80K engine started to develop cam/lifter clatter upon startup (goes away once engine warms up).

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  RELIABLE TRUCK - 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By montero due - September 24 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is great , never had aproblem with it and still going strong. i changed the tires at 80000 miles. Been towing a 6x8 u haul every 3 moths up from SF to LA though the grapevine with no probs, gets goos gas milage. spartan interior but fullty functional, never had a problem going though the mountains either.

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  Not a bad car! - 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Annieb - September 19 - 5:03 am

  This is my first SUV and couldnt decide between the outlander and the Subaru Forester. Very, very close comparison. What put me over was the Outlander actually has better pick up (4 cyl) than the Subaru does. Seats are more comfortable on the Subaru (why do car makers not add lumbar support for all their cars?) The Outlander also has tighter steering which I prefer. Pound for pound, I feel the Outlander is a good car! So far, have not been disappointed. If you are considering a small SUV, dont rule out the Outlander.

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  Wishing for more - 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
  By mitsu_david - September 18 - 5:54 am

  Wishing for better mileage - Got about 25 on my first all highway road trip. Not much better than I get in town. Maybe it will get better when the engine loosens up a little. Wishing for more performance - Not terrible but far from a "Sporty" experience Wishing for nicer finishes - nothing objectionable, but it seems it could be better with just a little effort Could not be happier with the deal, though. I would have had to pay several thousand more to get a Crossover I liked better. Warranty is great, too. Im glad because my previous Monterro cost me a ton and was worth nothing when I traded it in.

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  Jeffs Jiggetdy Review - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Jiggy Jeff - September 17 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my 2001 GT Eclipse for nearly two years now. I love driving this car. The 5-speed transmission is very smooth and easy to shift on the fly. The throaty V6 exhaust sounds spectacular-people can hear you from a mile away). The headlights look nice, but the outer coverings are some type of hard plastic and scratch up easily. The bad things about this car are the brakes squeal at low speeds (since day 1),the sunroof jitters when going back (Ive taken it to the dealer twice & it still happens). The rear hatchback doesnt really rise on its own. You have to literally PULL it up (the gas struts arent strong enough)

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  Love it - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
  By cdub - September 13 - 1:13 pm

  We were about to throw our hat into the MDX sweepstakes but could not stomach the extra five grand (as well as the yupster appeal) Except for gas mileage, could not have made a better decision. Solid in snow and rain, nice ride, ton of space, very nice interior elements, intuitive gauges, great seats, nice stereo and 0% financing closed the deal. Take a very hard look at look at what you get for the $$ when you compare to Explorer Eddie Bauer and Envoy)

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  good car for the price - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By buckayou - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I have my mitsubishi galant for 5 days and Iam disappointed with the bumpy ride. The car drives very hard, like theres too much air in the tires. I travel alot so the main reason why I bought this car was because of the great warranty and the low price.

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  Mostly Very Happy - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By cdubs - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I looked at every SUV in Endeavors class (Pilot, Explorer, Trailblazer, etc.) and liked the Endeavor better than them all. Wasnt crazy about the looks of the boom box dash at first, but after a few weeks you dont even notice it. This is a great car for a tall person, and its got good back seat room for kids. People complain about poor gas mileage, but hey, I knew what I was getting into when I bought it. Only complaint is the seat fabric on the LS- its already becoming very worn after only three months. All in all, a great vehicle for the price.

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  Best Secret - 2006 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By lastman3 - September 7 - 11:06 am

  My Endeavor gets 17 mpg around town and 22 on the higway. Its V6 engine pulls the Sierras with no problems at all. It is a solid vehicle and it is dependable. It has had very few reported call backs. With the seats folding flat, it does everything I need it to do and more. My wife now wants a second one for herself - I cant think of another car or SUV that can do what the Endeavor does for the same price/performance.

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  Still Loving It After 4 Months!! - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Michelle Freeman - September 2 - 10:53 pm

  I purchased my car in early September of 2004 and I love it still after 4 months of use. I drive a lot (already over 10,000 miles) and I find it very reliable. It is roomy and comfortable. I live in Houston which has the worst traffic in the country and I am impressed on how much pick up it has. I step on the gas and it takes off like a rocket. I need a car to respond given the amount of traffic I encounter daily. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a decent car, with great warranty and economic price. My mother has a 2003 Galant ES and other than that version having good pickup, there is no comparison starting with the interior room.