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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  NEEDS SOME WORK - 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By TAYREN - July 24 - 10:00 am

  FUN TO DRIVE! GET MANY COMPLIMENTS ON LOOK OF VEHICLE. LIKE THE SIZE COMPARING TO OTHER MID-SIZE SUVS. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN PERFORMANCE WITH TRANSMISSION- HAS DELAYED KICK-IN WHEN INCREASING SPEED. ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD. 4WD HAS ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH SLIPPAGE.

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  2000 Mitsubishi - 2000 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By Phil - July 19 - 10:00 am

  The transmission shifts hard in this car. The rear seats have no room for comfort.

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  Gas Hog - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Andrew - July 5 - 5:13 pm

  I didnt buy the 2004 Mitsubishi Galant, mine was just a long-term rental while my car was recovering from an accident and waiting for parts, etc. It is a nice car, but the seats dont have much for lumbar support, even the drivers seat. There is plenty of legroom though (Im 62") and the power was nice. I was disappointed that my 1996 Saturn SL2 gets a whopping 10+ more MPG than this newer sedan. I wouldnt buy it for that reason alone. It only churned out 17-20 MPG depending on my ratio of city / highway driving.

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  Mitsu. does not back their product! - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By mcarm - June 21 - 9:30 am

  Bought in 07-Drawn in by the great new design I decided to give Mitsu a chance. They were rude from the start and never should have bought this car. Had problems with tires, window leaking, sunroof, the car pulls to the left, TERRIBLY CHEAP paint- hundreds of tiny paint chips. Brought the car in over 15 times in the 1.5 yrs I had it. I was always upset over the problems and no one cared. I spoke to everyone that worked at Mitsu and they were disrespectful and rude. I have never been treated so badly. I asked them to check out the paint and that was months ago and never heard back. No matter how good this car looks, do not get it. I hate the comp so much I took a hit and traded it in.

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  Dont buy this car - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By EricH - June 17 - 2:00 am

  This car was fun for about the first month. Then, it started falling apart a the seams. There are so many dash rattles and interior clunks and noises that I dont even drive this car anymore. Shifting is clumsy due to a poorly adjusted clutch. The engine weakens significantly with age. The handling could use work as well, cornering dynamics change badly with throttle changes. Ive heard rust is also a problem, especially along structural seams in the engine compartment. This car was not worth the 22k I paid for it.

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  Bad News - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By al acosta - June 17 - 2:00 am

  The day after i bought the vehicle, it started to make a screatching noise and the front passenger seat began to rattle. i took the vehicle to the service dept and they did not know what was wrong with it. Two engineers from Mits had to respond to the dealership to investigate. The dealer/service dept recently called me and said they need to replace my transmission but the service rep did not sound convincing that was indeed the problem. as far as the seat goes, they replaced the seat rail with a new one and it still is making the noise. I will never buy a Mitsubishi again...

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  My Lancer - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Kelly - June 16 - 1:13 pm

  I had my Lancer for about two years. I thought I would get good gas mileage, but I only got about 24 mpg on the highway. Furthermore, I was in a rear end collision and over $10,000 in damage was done just in body damage, the inside frame of the car did not hold up. This is not a safe car...

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  Never Again - 2002 Mitsubishi Galant
  By brandon - May 13 - 4:16 pm

  We were so excited to be buying a brand new car. Newly married, first baby on the way, little did we know what a surprise we were in for. In the first two years alone, this vehicle was in for warrenty work at least 12 times. After having the car for 3 weeks they still never figured out what was wrong with it. While driving at highway speeds with the cruise on it would rev out as if someone slammed it into first gear. The dealer kept saying "this car is so great and best rated car" blah blah blah. I will NEVER buy a Mitsubishi product again...EVER.

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  Mirage? - 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By Mark H - May 1 - 2:00 am

  Ill make this quick. The car for me was reliable until the engine blew out 2 years after i bought it. Completely fried the engine. Before that it was reliable. Slow as can be but good gas milage. The exterior isnt bad for an entry level car but the interior needs some work.

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  Its not a "quality" japanese SUV. - 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By paintrboy - April 29 - 6:55 pm

  We bought our Outlander 1 and half years ago from the dealer. Only 59K with lots of warranty left. Worked like well for the first 4 months then, $800 of front end work. New ball joints, tie rod ends, sway bar bushings etc. Then the gas tank started leaking another $1000. Then the transmission drive shaft seals began leaking (should have been covered under warranty) $300. New clutch kit, $800, new rear caliper $618 (yes, 1 ). Still needs new windshield, 4 struts, all new bushings again, doesnt start well after fuelling up and recently the power steering rack began leaking. It currently has 91K and we still owe $7000 on it. Dealer we purchased from said theyd buyback for $2200 firm.