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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  After 2 weeks and 140 miles - 2012 Mitsubishi I-MiEV
  By newb_i - February 16 - 11:21 pm

  After 2 weeks of daily driving still as satisfied as the first day I got it. Easy to park, confortable for its size, and the best... NO GAS. My recommended improvements for the i-MiEV Engineers: need to improve the noise isolation from outside, when in traffic, one can hear outside noise, with the windows closed as they were open. Thee suspension/stability maybe improved to make freeway commuting more smooth and minimize suceptibility to strong winds. Overall, I am very satisfy with the i-MiEV. I recommend it if your rutinary commute is within 50-60 miles in between charges.

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  Diamante dilema - 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By cc rides - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Great looking car - go easy on braking as they will need frequent replacement - wouldve liked heated seats for the leather (not avail in 97 model)- would like directional in the area where little tv screen - negatives include continuos trans problems in 2nd gear slipping and catching, some burning of the fluid - dealer seemed to keep doing little things to stall on replacing it- no other problems so may replace trans - also a little problem with trunk release occas not working or key in trunk not working properly when trunk has boxes in it -

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  Nice mid-life chrisis car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By vmnlogan - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, gets you noticed. I drove it in a few places where there wasnt a Mitsubishi dealership and everyone thought it was a Ferrari (think late episodes of Miami Vice). Nice low ride, excellent placement of the controls (especially on-column stereo control); using the cup holders gets in the way of shifting, second holder requires between-seat storage to be open. Spoiler can make it difficult to see behind you. Lots of fun to drive, though youll feel every bump.

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  Get one if you can... - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By ajl - February 14 - 11:30 am

  I traded an 01 Focus ZX3 in on this car, which was a leftover 04 that the dealer was selling for $4,000 under sticker. At sticker, I probably wouldnt have bought this car, but I consider it one of the best bargains Ive ever got. My only complaints are that the gas mileage could be better, the A/C controls feel cheap, as do some other interior pieces. But Im glad I bought this car instead of a Focus wagon. Someone estimated that there are only about 3,000 of these cars in the US, so it is rather rare to spot another Sportback. My only question is long term reliability and durability, Mitsubishis seem to be hit or miss in that department.

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  2002 ES 4 cyl. - 2002 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Louisp - February 13 - 10:26 am

  Very solid car, Ive had it for 3 years now, 48K miles, and the only problems Ive had are with the brakes - be sure to get only Mitsubishi brakes, otherwise your rotors will go quick, nothing major but its worth the extra $20... Other than that a great, light, economical car. My most recent check up they could not come up with anything that they could even forsee having an issue with in the next 6 months to a year, which is always nice.

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  Sleeper SUV - 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Ronald - February 10 - 4:33 pm

  I have had absolutely no problems with my 2005 Endeavor LS AWD. It has plenty of power and is comfortable. It looks sporty and overall build quality is very good. It handles very well and is a fairly quiet ride. It has not missed a beat and other than scheduled maintenace it has operated flawlessly. The AWD system is inferior to my Subaru. The stock tires may be part of the problem. I will install new snow tires and see if traction improves.

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  Litl Rally Red ES - 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By authurdent - February 8 - 7:34 pm

  After buying an Outlander XLS a year back, we bought my mother-in-law a Lancer ES, same Rally Red - same black interior (less leather) and same sunroof. After some 20 years of Mitsu reliability, we figured an 82 year-old woman deserved a new reliable car with a bit of pizazz. Sure, the ES is no barn-burner, but the 16" alloys handle well around curves, and theres plenty of gadgetry to keep mom busy till the end of her days! While I like the height of the Outlander, the Lancer does inspire more confidence around the corners. Of course fuel economy is a big plus. We we use to 35+ with our old Mirage. The V6 Outlander is lousy for mpg, but the Lancer ES is a champ!

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  Good stock, better stocked. - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Greasy - February 1 - 10:26 am

  I bought this car at a bank action, it was fun to drive then. Peppy for a 4 cylinder and able to keep up with a V6 mustang (not an achievement really). So it was good with a stock engine, but being an 18 year old male I couldnt have just 140 hp. I started doing selective mods to it. I put in a cold air intake, a new exhaust with resonator pipes, its not one of those loud hondas driving around. I kept the body stock lowered the front a bit raised the back and inch and put 18inch chrome wheels on. I put kyb gas charged struts in and a new sound system. i put in a new performance cam shaft and was thinking about a turbo. Honestly this car can take off and stop on a dime. I love it.

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  Decent Car - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By mike - January 31 - 9:46 pm

  I bought my mitsu in 2008 and am very surprised I dont see more of these around. I love the sporty design on the outside especially with the dark gray color looks exactly like a shark. The interior is comfortable and clean looking but some of the interior plastics are cheap. I also dont like the upholstery a kind of felt material that my dogs hair clings too. I find the gas mileage adequate but power is a little low;although through corners it definitely shows a sportier side. The rockford fosgate stereo is awesome as well as the easy to use navigation system. The tires make the car useless in snow because they are summer time ones. Also, starting the car is a little rough in really cold weather

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  Too awesome... - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mustangof08 - January 31 - 6:39 am

  I got my license a few months ago, was looking on a used car dealership website, and found a silver Eclipse. So I told my dad about it, and got out of school one day to find it sitting where I usually park my moms car at school. Big surprise. Ive been driving it for only about 2 1/2 months now, but every second has been amazing. My friends tell me how good it looks, and how good it sounds for a 4-cyl. I love it, and you know its gotta be a reliable car when a 16 year old drives it. Teenagers drive like were blind, but this car never lets me down. Definitely recommend. 9/10