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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  dont buy one - 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By jenlilie - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I think this car is good for someone away at school because you can fit all youre stuff and a friend, but i have a baby not a friend and we are always on are way somewhere and usuall running late. This car is slow there is no kick at all, you cant have someone in the back seat anf fold down the other seat to fit the dog in the back cause its one peice. The inside is very narrow .

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  Transmission Problems at 4,200 Miles - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By c130crewchief79 - January 5 - 1:33 pm

  OK, I love the cars design and its fun to drive, but I got the manual transmission for the fun of the drive. I know how to drive a stick as I grew up doing so. At 4,200 miles my clutch decided to go out along with all the components associated. Mitsubishi decided that it was aparrently my fault, not that it might be the design (which I had a Nascar tech tell me was going to be a problem three days after I got it, during an interview for school). Anyway I forked out almost $1,000 and thats after I got a price break because I knew a maintenace person at the dealer. Any way they fixed it. Two days later it was back in the shop. The flywheel was making a loud noise and in neutral my clutch is burning. I rate the transmission pack a 2.

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  Disappointing - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By steve - December 3 - 10:06 pm

  The vehicle itself is not a bad vehicle to own, low in perchance cost, easy to maneuver, and sporty looks tribute to its appeal. After owning this vehicle for a little while I find myself disappointed, the ride is quite bouncy, the engine is underpowered, and the fuel economy is nothing to write home about, I would say just below par for its class. The front is nice and grippy when you do get up to speed, sadly cornering fun is reduced by moderate body lean. If one is looking for a lancer oz rally my suggestion would be to find one with a manual transmission. As an automatic, a very good first car, looks good, is cheap to own and maintain, yet for the parents its not crazy fast.

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  Keep Away - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Pjopie - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Pulls to right since day 1 and dealer says most of them are doing same Factory fix for the problem not working and now excuses that they test drove vehicle and its ok...but its not ok and it still goes to the right...keep away from this one.

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  Blah! - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By mikedwood - October 18 - 4:02 am

  I like the way it drives and its strong as can be for a non-turbo 4 cyl, but pray to God for guidance if you need to do much more than change the oil or air filter. This is my 2nd Mitzu and my last ever. Parts are hard to come by and expensive! My wife got it in 2009 and in 2011 before 80,000 miles it needed a head gasket, 2 struts and plates, front axle and two 02 sensors. Parts only avalible from Mitsubishi on all but the 02 sensors. Fortunately my mechanic works at a junk yard by day and stripped the heck out of a wreck and we were able to get about $2,000 in parts for about $500.

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  RS Review - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By maverick74 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  After owning the 00 eclipse RS for 3.5 years, overall i can say that the eclipse is decent car, its beautiful,reliability has been good, but performance and handling are little better than my 87 escort. Acceleration is decent but the car is too heavy. The front brakes have been a constant problem since i have owned the car.(brake vibration coming from front) Steering is slow and body roll is pronounced...not too much fun on curvy roads. Lots of road noise at highway speeds. The vehicle comes stripped bare in the RS trim so if you can afford it, go for the GS or GT. While i have fixed mine up, its better to get all the accessories from the beginning.

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  Shouldve Bought a Honda - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By w360 - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Ill admit it, I got suckered in to the Mitsubishi 0%/0 down/0 payments campaign. I should have waited to get a Honda Accord. The car (4cyl)looks great and has good oomph when you step on the gas. Had to replace the tires at 35K mile and brake rotors needed repaired at 50K mile and now again at 54K. Materials used are cheap and has adequate fit and finish. Its no Honda, but live and learn. Depreciates faster than an Olympic sprinter.

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  Old and Steady - 1996 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Diane Bloom - August 18 - 10:00 am

  This is second mitsubish. I owned. Minor problems on interior after 1st year, i.e. plastic parts not fitting. Internal air filter disentegrated after 5 years of ownership. Replaced brakes twice on front, battery 2x already and all tires once. Has high miles now and still works well, though a timing belt may be its next repair need. Tape deck and horn died last year as well as interior vanity light and trunk light. Love the Homelink system. Good maneuverability in tight places. Still can get over 80 mph quickly. Is squishy with one infant seat in center and another next to it. Good visibility- few blind spots. Still reliable car.

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  Nice Car, but watch for DEALER TRICKS - 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By hav2boys - August 18 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this car under the Mitsubishi 0/0/0 promotion. We were promised zero down. That was true. We were promised zero payments for one year. This was not true. In actuality we only received 6 months no payments. We were promised zero % interest for 1 year. This is not true. We actually received zero financing for five months. We were told that we would be able to refinance this car. Not true. The blue book is so low compared to what is owed no bank will even look twice at it. Be very weary. These deals are only there to help THEM SELL YOU CARS. They dont care about you in the least. TRUST US.

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  not what i expected - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By moon - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car because it looked sporty but not the sports car price. I was disappointed. The 5-speed is fun to drive, but thats about it. After only a couple of weeks the supports on the trunk lid broke and wouldnt hold it up. Then the rear wheel bushings when bad almost imediately. It sounds like this car isnt too realiable. Not to mention it too 3 months to get the warrenty work done.