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 Car- I love it - 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By T Ceezy - February 6 - 9:13 am

  I really enjoy this car, it has been perfect for me. I live in Colorado and use my Sport to go off road camping, up to the mountains through the snow, and also driving as I live in the city. It has been very reliable, no problems other than regular wear and tear. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for an SUV. It has been great in the snow.

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  Outlander outdoes itself - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Congaman - February 6 - 2:00 am

  I went in to buy a Montero Sport, and walked out with the Outlander. It rides like a car, and has plenty of room for my stuff. And my kid’s stuff, Hula dancing, boogie boarding etc. I realized I could do most of the same driving in the Outlander than in the Montero for less money and better fuel efficiency.

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  Cant Beat the Montero Limited - 2004 Mitsubishi Montero
  By steve - February 5 - 3:20 pm

  I have had several SUVs and by far the best is the Montero Limited. I pull campers, boats, etc. and you cant even tell they are back there (even in the mountains). The vehicle is super reliable and the service is great at the dealer.

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  Traded off - 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
  By Bdk437 - February 4 - 2:59 pm

  We made a mistake buying this car. Bluetooth after a few months never worked... maintenance alert for oil changes sucks too. Our dealer was 90 minute drive and what brought me to the end of my rope was how rude the service department was. Went back to Toyota RAV4 which just blows the Outlander away. Worth the extra $8k.

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  Pleasantly surprised , best value for money - 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Santosh - February 3 - 11:19 pm

  This is a great SUV . Dont listen to the expert ratings. Drives very well and all the new upgrades are great. I got this vehicle for winter and the super All Wheel Control works very good. Remote start and leather heated seats for this price is unbelievable. I dont think there are other car brands out there that can provide such value for money. Simply love this car Santosh

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  2010 Outlander GT - 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By gabesta - January 31 - 11:50 pm

  Ive only had my Outlander for 10 days, but so far it is the best vehicle Ive owned. I love the styling, both inside and out. I would not recommend this vehicle for anyone who plans on utilizing the 3rd row seat regularly, as it is quite small. However, with that stowed, and the 2nd row moved back, there is adequate room for 5 adults (even if they are on the tall side). The V6 is peppy, and the S-AWC handles aggressive cornering well. True 4wd would be nice on the GT (to save on fuel), but overall economy is still relatively good. I love the FAST key system, as well as the ease of use with the NAV package. Overall, it is an awesome vehicle.

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  Extremely Fun Car! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Jonathan - January 31 - 10:30 am

  The 06 Eclipse is one of the best cars around. I was about to buy a Scion tC but this car caught my eye before I almost got that. Im so happy I got this! Its the best when your driving home with the windows down and everyone stares cause most people havent seen it on the road! Ive only seen two on the road since I got it, and Ive had it for a couple months now.

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  Sad to let go - 2000 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By kitgbar - January 30 - 6:56 pm

  I bought this car brand new in 2000 because my 87 Nissan Sentra was dying on me. I have havent had any problems since owning it, even after getting into a fender bender in 2001. I did my best to maintain it with regular oil change and such. This is the most reliable car Ive owned and Im actually sad to let it go. I traded it in for a new 2007 Volvo S40 tonight and somehow Im ridden with guilt for replacing it since I really didnt need a new car.

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  Mitsu - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Eddie - January 30 - 6:30 pm

  Car runs great. Shouldve gotten the GTS since it has more power than the ES- Sport, but there is plenty of space between the engine and the firewall to add a few extra horses under the hood.

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  Better than expected - 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
  By Ron - January 29 - 4:27 am

  I bought a 2015 leftover in April 2016 because I got a real good price. I bought with some trepidation, considering the expert reviews I read, but noted that most consumer reviews were pretty good. Maybe the experts expect too much from a vehicle because they can compare the vehicle to many more expensive ones. I have only had the vehicle for a few weeks, but Im fairly happy with it. It is not a sports car, but handles adequately for an SUV. Acceleration is decent, and the engine doesnt seem any noisier than on the Rogue I traded in. Interior is a little less upscale than on some competitors, but is practical and comfortable. The ride is a little stiff, but the vehicle has 18" 55 series tires, so that is somewhat expected. Exterior is rather attractive, and Im getting better than advertised MPG. So far, Im satisfied After 6 months, everything is pretty much the same. Im still satisfied. I get about 25+ MPG locally, and around 30 on the highway. The ride could be a little better on rough pavement, but is not terrible. 18 months now. Nothing to add. Still satisfied