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 Vehicle - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By tweetybird - October 7 - 2:00 am

  After owning a Honda, Nissan & Toyota (all were great vehicles) I was a little nervous about Mitsubishi. I didnt know anyone with an Outlander. I test drove a Honda CRV and was very disappointed. It was cheap looking. The Toyota Highlander was expensive with accessories. I was totally surprised by the Outlander! Super SUV. Fun to drive! Its drives like a foreign sports car. Handles well. Lots of PEP!

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  Great Car - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By T C - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I average 800 miles a week for business and this is s great car to drive. Its very smooth and responsive without loosing the feel of the road. The gear box adjusts to how youre driving the car. Itll let the car rev out more if youre having fun, and shift at a lower RPM under normal use. I have it 4 months and still turn around to look at it after I park it. For the money it cant be beat, I still love it as much as the day I picked it up from the dealer

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  Greate SUV - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Manneth - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This is my second SUV and when we test drove it, just fell in love with it. The handling is very good. The engine is a V6 with with enough hp for its size. Lots of leg room in both front and back. I have to say it does drive very much like a car with a very smooth ride. This is truly a driving machine.

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  eclipse 2003 - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By sharp - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I used to own a Z28 camero. I thought there would never be another car that i could fall in love with again, but i was wrong. I bought the 2003 eclipse 2 weeks ago and love everything about it. The interior is a great--midnight shade. i love how the blue fades with the black. just wanted everybody to know how wonerful the car is!!!!

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  Love, love love the color !!! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Sanatweety - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I have just gotten my car so I dont know how great it really is yet, but its a very pretty car & fast didnt know how fast until I took it out of the show room. Vey roomy for the driver & passager but the back seats are very small & no leg room, but I still love the car.

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  Love this car - 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Laurie - October 6 - 4:43 am

  I love the way this car handles. The four cylinder engine performs great and gets good fuel economy. The handling, performance, look and feel of the car give the impression of riding in a high end sports car without the high end price tag.

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  2006 Eclipse 6 SPD - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Ken - October 5 - 12:00 am

  I put 135,000 miles on a 1996 Eclipse GST-5 spd. I have waited for years for a satisfactory replacement in terms of performance, looks and being fun to drive. The 2006 Eclipse GT fits! It has so much torque at the low end! I love upshifting at 2,000 RPM, just to feel the incredible torque! VITEC kicks in at about 4,000 RPM. I hit 4,000 RPM so seldom Im always stunned at the extra power. The owners manual states max MPH per gear as 55 (2nd), 80 (3rd), 108 (4th). This is ~6,000 RPM. These are reasonable speeds as HP peaks at 5750 and engine is red lined at 6500. At any speed between 15-100, the drive train is happy in any of 3 gears! Pay very close attention when down shifting though as its easy to get cross the gate and get 3rd instead of 5th, or 2nd instead of 4th.

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  Best Car I have ever owned - 2004 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By Angler - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I once owned a Mercedes, Nissan Maxima and Cadillac. None of these cars have the performance of my Diamante. From the time I pull out of the driveway, I cant wait to get it on the freeway.

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  i like it - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By dunkin - October 1 - 2:00 am

  not alot to say, handles well , great breaks and good take off. I like it well enough.

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  My favorite all time car. - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By ArkShe - October 1 - 2:00 am

  For the last 8 years I have gotten a new card most ever year or year and a half. This is my favorite all time card and will not be traded any time soon. Handles so well, easy to get in and out of, does great in the wind.