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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  GREAT FIRST CAR - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By JOHN - May 1 - 9:36 pm

  BOUGHT USED FOR MY SONS 16TH B-DAY 24K ON IT BOUGHT FOR UNDER 10K WHAT A GREAT DEAL ON A LIKE NEW CAR.COULD NOT BE HAPPIER

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  Certified Pre-Owned is the Best Value Around - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By ashwinearl - May 1 - 1:06 am

  Used, low mileage Endeavors can be found for $10,000 to 12,000 under their original MSRPs. Mitsubishi dealers certify them with a 10 year / 100,000 mile warranty. We got our 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor XLS AWD with 13,000 miles on it, originally listed for $32,000, for only $18,800 with the 10/100 warranty with only Pros: -Awesome value - Powerful engine - Very roomy interior - Sweet car like ride - Great visibility out the front - 300W stereo - Tiptronic shifting option - Big side mirrors - Large cargo room - Comfortable seats Cons: - Poor rear visibility - Ugly looks from the rear - I dont like location of steering wheel spokes

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  A Good Choice - 2003 Mitsubishi Montero
  By corcione - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Powerful and sturdy. The heavy weight and wide track keeps the vehical glued to the road. Rear spare tire sticks out further than the bumper, which makes it vulnerable to even a slow 5 to 10 MPH bumper bash. This vulnerability could cause major damage to the rear door even at slow speeds. Over all a great choice. However, all SUVs are over priced and that is the fault of customer demand. If customers were not willing to the pay big bucks, then prices would be lower.

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  Fun SUV, but Gas Mileage is Very Poor! - 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By CindyG - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my 2003 Montero Sport for a couple of months now. So far, I really enjoy driving this vehicle. Its very fun to drive and easy to handle. My only big complaint is the gas mileage; its completely different than the sticker reads for city/highway. I average 10 miles per gallon, and the dealer told me AFTER I bought it that it was a gas-guzzler. Other than that, I like it.

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  Very reliable - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By j10jordan - April 28 - 3:20 pm

  Purchased at 37,000 and still running at 114,000 with no signs of slowing down. Not a very FUN car to drive with the 4 cyl. but its been very reliable and smooth on the highway. Gas mileage has been good too. Will be sad to see her go

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  reliable built poorly - 2002 Mitsubishi Galant
  By haylock - April 18 - 10:00 am

  i have a galant i bought about 6 months ago its reliable and very fast but i recently got in an accident and it is built very poorly made out of nothing but i enjoy the comfort.

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  Impressive - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Kleo - April 4 - 10:00 am

  The elclipse looks great inside and out!! I find it to be loud and not enough space in the back seat. I fear the car will not hold up like a Honda or Toyota but Im hoping Im wrong. Over all I think it is a very nice sports car and I love the looks I receive when driving it. Its cool to see others driving one. I do feel the car should have more colors. I purchased the silver one and everyone seems to have the same color.

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  3rd owner and no problems - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By jacendb - April 3 - 1:13 am

  I bought the car in October 2011. I was looking for a Mazda but this was the only available back then and I didnt have too much time to be picky. Besides the radiator breaking one time, I havent had any issue. No loose interior parts, no shaking when driving the highway. Its 9 years old and its still soft and steady. It has surprised me in a very good way. I will have to change the catalytic converter eventually, but everything else seems to be ok. Parts are more expensive than other cars, but you wont need many.

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  Great Ergonomics - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By longdriver19 - April 1 - 10:00 am

  I chose this car over the Mazda 3 because it simply fit better. Its fun to drive, has good power, decent brakes and okay gas mileage. The interior is bland as well as the outside. I could do without the "import tuner" wing on the trunk. If I had to do it again with the same money, I would probly get the Mazda 3. That car has waaay more available options, same power, less weight, same brakes, and looks like a more expensive euro compact. But like I said, the Lancer having lackluster features has great interior ergonomics.

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  Lemon,Lemon---oh no - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Hate my Outlander! - March 24 - 1:50 am

  My Outlander has been nothing but problems since I purchased it in 2004 BRAND NEW off the lot. Every year I had water rushing into the passenger side onto the floor. The shop attempted to fix it multiple times. Every time it would happen again until the my warranty ran out and they thought they could refuse to fix it! ha!! LEMON LAW!! Now I replaced the brakes on the front and guess what? I could not get the driver side brake to bleed!! Took it to a brake shop!! The master cylinder is out and I only have two brakes!! the part cost $374. My payment is $500/mo.