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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  Long Term Montero Sport Report - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By audioguy - May 5 - 9:13 pm

  I got burned on a used minivan and had to quickly trade for something else. Mitsubishi had a large financial incentive on the 02 Montero Sport (which hurt them later on) so I bought one. While my wife can have the luxury and creature comforts in her ride, I use my car to get me where I want to go. And based on that alone, the Montero Sport does that reasonably well. Its basic transportation, nothing more or less. Its ride is OK, nothing spectacular. The interior comfort is OK, nothing spectacular. The engine and tranny are OK, nothing spectacular. Its a gas hog. I wrecked it in 2004 and it was expensive to fix the front end. I hope to get 125,000 miles out of it.

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  2000 Mitsubishi Galant ES Cheap Parts - 2000 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Galant ES - May 5 - 4:56 pm

  This car only has 73,000 miles on it and it runs great but, the parts are way too cheap and the value goes down like a rock in water. I see one of these cars in every corner. They are very common. Exterior parts arent glued too well. The interior parts are arent either. Not lots of room in the back. Ive seen lots of these cars with the exterior paint fading. To be honest I do not think this car is one of the safest out there. Besides all that, the transmission is great Ive had no mechanical problems with it. Just the brakes. Ive painted it once already. This is like a Honda except it has cheap plastic parts.

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  Just OK - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
  By Ben - April 30 - 4:33 am

  The 200HP engine is nonsense. When loaded with seven passengers it does not even accelerate. I am considering trading in for maybe the Isuzu Ascender or anything better.

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  Lancer CVT is really weird - 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By mitsumistake - April 17 - 12:38 pm

  I bought a Lancer SX recently and have clocked 1600km and the CVT has behaved very strangely from day one. It lurches about dramatically especially when cold. Taking foot off accelerator produces sudden jolts, sometimes quite violently, and it then seems to want to brake on its own and slows down rapidly while coasting. Braking often produces a sensation like the car is fighting against the braking and wanting to surge forward. This is the weirdest drive Ive ever had and have had no support from Mistubishi - the first 1500km service last week I gave the dealer a very concise report on this problem, and they had the car for TWO DAYS. They said the problem was fixed, but it has not.

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  Its Okay - 2005 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Carrie - April 5 - 12:43 pm

  We bought our 2005 Galant used with 10,000 miles on it. It has enough horsepower and the interior is very nice. I dont really like the exterior though, it looks like all doors to me. I can live with that I guess. However due to the sloping down of the roof when I pull the seat up so I can reach the pedals I have virtually no head room unless I lower the seat and then I can barely see out. Its a nice car but not built for short people. I am 53". I probably wont be keeping it long because Im tired of hitting my head.

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  Caution Low Power - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Edward77 - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Buy this vehicle only if you live in a flat area. The 4 cylinder engine is under powered for any type of hill climbing. We live in Western PA and the engine really strains climbing moderate hills.

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  dont buy it... - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By say-no-to-mitsu - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Because of this car, I will NEVER buy another Mitsubishi. This was the worse car Ive ever had - and thats compared to the one I paid $700 for when I was a teenager. Reasons I dont like this car: - Passenger seat won’t lock into place. - The buttons continually fall off the dashboard and the sunroof controls - The plastic cover over the back of the seat falls off. - The thing always sounds like it has a hole in the muffler. - It always stinks - its got a slight antifreeze smell. - The glove box wont stay closed. - too cramped inside. - school buses have a better turning radius. I had to terminate my lease 6 monthss early - I couldnt take it anymore!

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  The fast and the furious owner - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Marco Solano - March 21 - 10:00 am

  ive owned this vehicle for about 2 years now and the engine and transmission are a dream but the quality and craftmanship are the worst Ive ever experienced, two of my windows electric motors are shot, the factory rotors were warped before I even broke in the engine...i would think twice before purchasing this vehicle. In a two year period, trade in value is about a third of the purchase price.....

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  Not Happy with my Eclipse GT - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Little old lady - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT brand new. It has been a nightmare since almost the first day. I have replaced the wheeel 5 times.(one wheel 2 times) here have also been problems with the rotors, the clutch, the A/C, the lights, and starter, severe rust, and a few more problems. I tried to trade it in but after 50 months of payments, the trade in was still less than what I owed. Also, the parts are skyrocket high - $500 for a headlight, $500 for a muffler, $600 for a tune-up, $600 to replace the timing belt, etc. I would not recommend this car.

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  Extremely disapointed - 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By icharles - February 13 - 1:52 am

  I have had my Outlander since December 2009. While it is fun to drive and has very comfortable seats, I have been very disappointed in the build quality and reliability. 1) After 14k I started hearing a knocking/creaking in the rear right brakes. Dealer said it was caused by rust. After two failed brake services Mitsu replaced the rotors under warranty - fixed. Now, at 38k the problem is back. Mitsu again said the problem was caused by rust and would not fix it under warranty (new rotors only have 24k on them). 2) I have a multitude of paint chips on the front hood after only 1.5 years of driving. I had a Honda Civic for 4 years prior to this vehicle and never noticed one. 3) Creaky seat