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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  A Real Good Looker - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By Sport Sally - February 18 - 8:16 pm

  This car is more suited for long highway drives with very smooth roads. It is like a horse that needs you to let out its reins. It holds the road well at high speeds and the engine does not even labor a breath - even at 90. However this is not a good city car because of poor gas economy during non-highway driving and hard to park because its wide and not too easy to see behind you because of an excessively slanting hatchback; and the imperfections on city streets shake the whole car making the city ride very unpleasant. Although the highway ride is much better, it is still below average in comfort. The dealer test drove me on a very smooth road. I was unaware of this problem until after buying.

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  Better try something else... - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By SAAVY - December 28 - 2:43 am

  It says it all: built in USA with "some" Japanese parts... Used to have a 1997 and besides absolutely gorgeous, way much better in every way (of course totally manufactured in Japan!) I had to add lots of aftermarket parts to get decent engine performance (even having 0.4 liters more than the 97 model), and is a gas guzzler! Front is very roomy, but back is a pain for guest riders. The dashboard is made of the thinnest and cheapest plastic they found, so every other owner has it cracked, electric problems everywhere, struts and tires wont last more than 60k miles.

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  Fun to drive when it runs. - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By R Harry - December 4 - 12:53 pm

  I love my 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse. It is fun to drive and very versitile. I only wish this car was more dependable. I have become good friends with my mechanic and the process of towing.

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  Jurys Still Out - 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By Mary - December 1 - 12:26 pm

  I thought I would love this car, but so far I have put mucho bucks back in it already. The heater core died first - thank goodness we got the extended warranty. Then one of the auto window stops broke the first time I used it. Our Chevy full size truck and old Explorer got better gas mileage. I thought we would be doing better in that area. The ride is very comfortable, but the wind noise is pretty bad. The sun visors are worthless for short people. I love the trunk size. The defrost is wayyy too slow. The stereo is nice, and cruise works great. There are a lot of cup holders, but they dont hold large sized drinks. If I had it to do again, I think I would keep looking. You win some, you lose some.

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  Like It, but Never Loved It - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Bergerman - November 26 - 7:10 pm

  The Galant is an overall good, solid, reliable car. It was years ahead of its competition in exterior design. As soon as the others caught up, they went and made it ugly again in 04. Its resale value stinks, I mean its absolutely horrible, to the point that I cannot trade it in, so I just have to live with it, kinda like my wife. She calls it the "Grampa mobile" because it handles like the 89 DeVille I drove in college.

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  poor parts availability - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By a stevenson - November 3 - 8:10 pm

  What good is the warranty if you cant get the parts. The air flow sensor went on my car 2000 km out of warranty and the co. refused to assist with cost. To make matters worse I have now been 8 days with no car while we wait for the part to be shipped from the States. Mitsubishi would be the last car I would ever buy. Warranty is all smoke and mirrors. The fact that they have no parts warehouse in Canada shows they cant back there vehicles and care very little about Canadian consumers. This car was a blast to drive but will be for sale if I ever get it back.

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  Good looks can be deceiving - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Lukeser - September 29 - 10:00 am

  The third generation Eclipse is one of the sharpest looking vehicles on the road. Mitsu engineers did a fine job with its lines. They also made a lot of people happy by putting a V6 engine in the top model. This is one of the most affordable sports cars (bang for your buck) on the market.

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  OK SUV, 12 mpg, Poor Mitsubishi Warranty Work - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero
  By Tundrapie - August 25 - 11:50 pm

  Major gripe first. My Montero had its paint applied very poorly from the factory around the rear window. The dealer acknowledge the problem. Mitsubishi corporate though said since it was after the normal warranty period they would not be able to pay for a fix even though it was faulty workmanship from the factory. That cost me several hunder dollars to fix on my own. Frankly I wouldnt buy another Mitsubishi because of this. Moving on, this is a very fun SUV to drive offroad, but it is as slow as molasis on road. 5 speed auto helps up to 50 then it just crawls. Abysmal gas mileage. Im a stickler for these things and mine gets 8 mpg city and 16 highway (22 mpg if I drive 55 mph!). Overall 12.

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  Interior Quality - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Shannon Stone - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a new 2001 Galant in 2000. The vehicle runs great, but it is cheaply put together. My map light falls from the roof, the side mirror adjusters fall off, the entire glove box lock fell out when I tried to lock it, and the vent on the passenger side fell into my dash. It is not fun to pay for a car that you hate. Also the side doors ding VERY easily if someone next to you kits your door in a parking lot.

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  AIRBAGS???? - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Culebrita - August 14 - 10:00 am

  When I hit a guard rail at 65 MPH head on, no airbags came out. I searched and found out that other people had had the same problem, because even tho the car has airbagsm there were no sensors. Wont buy a mitsubishi again.