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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  My first AWD - 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Tbone Steak - October 20 - 5:40 am

  This is my first AWD with stick shift and its perfect for all weather, especially in snow! Car runs good and smoothly. I had this for like 2 years now and its reached 40,000 so far, and has no problem at all. I have referred many of my friends to buy this car. Great price with good quality.

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  What a sleeper !!! - 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Paul Wedin - October 19 - 2:19 pm

  Awesome, great small 2 w.d. SUV. Worst mileage is 31.4 MPG. Use for work & everything else. Live way out in the country. What a sleeper. Couldnt ask for a better vehicle.

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  Best Overall - 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Brooks - October 19 - 1:16 am

  I have test driven all of the competition and found that the Endeavor is unparalleled in comfort and ergonomics. If you are searching for an SUV that is an all around great bargain, search no further. I still cant believe all the standard features and 10yr/100k warranty at this price! It is definitely worth your time to test drive one.

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  Great Value - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Bob20vcq - October 18 - 11:40 pm

  4000 km drive to "break it in" showed that the road noise a little higher than we expected; the auto trans can be a little annoying, and it can scoot along with the best of them. The paddle shifter is a fun toy. In auto mode the damn thing is always trying to save gas with a very annoying rpm drop after every up shift. It drops off 500 rpm after the shift?! This is a truck and when I forget that and go romping into a corner at nine tenths it reminds me in in a controlled certain manner. But when dialed back to normal rate this is a very respectable handler well worth the money. Tried all the competitors and this is the best value. No regrets at all.

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  Great Test drives - 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
  By Nate the great - October 17 - 9:19 am

  Figured something is better than nothing... so Ill post the first review in case some of you have no nearby dealer. Test drove a silver GT and red SEL. Impressions: 1) Gorgeous exterior, nothing not to like. Nice to have 8.5 inch ground clearance, beats most other CUVs, except the CX9. Stock rims look great. 2) Interior is also nice. Seats very comfortable, good thigh support for a 511 guy... for what that is worth. Both driver and passenger seats are 8 way power adjustable, which is very rare for this class. Not having a third row is probably the deal breaker for my wife. Between the black and brown leather, I liked black with silver stitching, my wife liked brown with red stitching. 3) Performance. Good not great. Thought acceleration was a bit slow in the 30 to 60 range, although it was plenty zippy off the line. Really loved the paddle shifters, adjusting the engine resistance when foot was taken off gas (for accelerated charging). B5 for tight city driving or hills made one foot driving possible. B2 or 1 for highway driving. Love the amount of control you have over the electric, or combustion. I would recommend going combustion on the highway and electric in the city. A guy who bought one at the dealer was in to get a tow hitch installed and told me he was getting 125mpg so far using that technique. As far as sspension and braking, it was phenomenal. Ive never experienced regen brakes that tight and smooth... did not feel like hybrid brakes. Suspension was perfect.... firm but not crazy tight. Definitely minimized body roll, but could be considered a bit rough for those used to a boat like cadillac experience. Tech: Im not a big fan of my car braking for me, so I could care less about that, but for SA, the GT trim has all this crazy safety, tech features plus the moonroof and Rockford sound system. Android auto, Apple car play standard both trims. Misc: Surprised about the 11.5 gallon gas tank... deal breaker for me. Unless you do all short trips, this is not the right car. 300ish mile range is no bueno if you have to do a cross country haul on occasion. Worse range than almost any hybrid vehicle. Still a five star vehicle... but Id be traveling with a 5 gallon gas can in the rear. Overall great day driving Mitsubishi, and with a 2500 dollar rebate and fed tax refund this is a great deal.

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  This car eats up gas - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By b.garhid - October 16 - 8:40 pm

  This car is beautiful, but non reliable had it for a month and the starter died, the battery died and did I mention it gets 12 mpg city and a decent 18 mpg highway the car is pretty fast though but I hate it when a neon srt-4 can beat me and get better gas mileage at the same time

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  Silver - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By turbodreams - October 16 - 6:16 pm

  Have this car in Silver without a wing. The wingless lancer looks classy especially in silver. Added limo tints to the back half of the car. This adds amazing privacy for that luxuriously large back seat area (if ya know what I mean). Also if you take time to notice, the fabric used for the seats is perfect and very cleanable (much better than leather would be). I couldnt ask for sportier gauges. Thanks Mitsubishi. If 152 HP isnt enough, slap an intake an exhaust on it, youll pass TCs, Civics and Mazda 3s. I must say when driving this car, I feel very in control of it. Many other cars dont compare. I adore my cars spacious interior so much. Its not just a car. Its an adventure. Thanks Mitsubishi.

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  Best Car Ive ever owned - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero
  By Maryanne Mace - October 14 - 12:13 pm

  This has been the most dependable car I have ever owned. I will keep it till the wheels fall off.

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  A great small SUV - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By R.H. Ward - October 14 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Outlander in Sept-03. We both love it and it drives great. We live in northern Idaho and we got 2 of snow this winter. The Outlander went thru it like a dream. We were not thinking of buying an SUV but the price was right and we liked the looks of the car and its many good features. We are glad we purchased the Outlander.

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  Excellent----Simply Superlative - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By vinod - October 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my first new car and baby I love it. Always thought I would end with a Toyota or Nissan, but today would not dream of them. Excellent handling ooodles of power and most important 97% built in Japan. Very stylish looks and good fuel efficiency. Already put in 8000 miles in 6 weeks.