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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  Love my Mitsubishi!!! - 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
  By Paul - March 7 - 9:04 pm

  Ive had the Outlander Sport for 1 month now, and the vehicle is awesome!! I have the GT with the 2.4 liter engine (FWD not 4WD), upgraded stereo with subwoofer, navigation system, huge skylight and hid headlights. The hid headlights are incredible. The main light comes from a projector lens, but theres also a port for reflected light to shoot out the sides of the housing. Driving at night, especially in dark areas without streetlights, is where these headlights really perform. I just drove on a 3-lane expressway at night, where streetlights were not on for a segment of the road. I drove in the middle lane, and the headlights lit up the center lane AND the lanes to the left and right. In another dark road I saw a fox on the road ahead of me (the headlights startled it) and I was able to follow the scruffy creature as it ran off the side of the road. Another night I saw a cat on the side of the road that turned around and moved further away from the road. The cvt transmission really lowers the engines rpms when not pressing hard on the accelerator. Cruising at 40 mph, the engine is at a quiet 1400 rpms; cruising at 60 mph the engine is just below 2000 rpms, 70 mph results in 2100 rpms (and the engine is still smooth and quiet). The upgraded stereo sounds fantastic. The navigation system screen rotates out to allow cds to be inserted into the stereo. Cellphone connects up to the car via bluetooth (done by car dealer the day I got the Mitsu). I thought my old mp3 player without bluetooth technology wouldnt connect to the car, but it does. There is a usb port in the compartment between the driver and front passenger seats. I hooked up the old mp3 player to that usb port (via the cord that came with the mp3 player) and the artists and albums populated on the Mitsus touch screen, allowing me to choose what music to play. I havent had this car long enough to comment on long-term reliability but so far it has been fun to drive.

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  Sporty and Fun - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By outlander driver - March 7 - 3:33 pm

  Ive had my LS 2WD Outlander for one month now and love it so far. It is getting great gas mileage, about 24 in the city, and it is so fun to drive. Has all the necessary features plus some extras. I did my research and test drove the CRV and RAV4 and didnt think they had near as much power. They werent as fun to drive either. For the money, the Outlander is the way to go.

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  2005 Galant = Best New Mide-Size Car - 2005 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Dan - March 7 - 12:43 am

  This car is the complete package. It has a great exterior design,roomy and stylish interior, nice 6 speaker CD/AM/FM stereo, stylish blue dash lights, drives smoothly, low engine noise, and handles very well. This is the best Mid-Size Car for the money out there. This car has everything that a Camry, Accord, or Altima has but for a lower price. Also, it has the best warranty out there today.

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  Will miss Monteros - 2003 Mitsubishi Montero
  By DWHOUSES - March 3 - 11:33 pm

  This is my 4th Montero. I take them to about 150,000 miles & get another one. They are bulletproof, luxurious, reasonably economical (I get a solid 18 MPG) and distinctive looking. I will be ready for another in 2008 and am devasted that they arent made any more. I cant think of any other SUV that provided the space, quality, comfort and style for anywhere near the price. Its a LandCruiser for 2/3rds the price.

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  Can you tell I like my car? - 2012 Mitsubishi I-MiEV
  By ev_owner - March 3 - 5:40 pm

  So far Ive only had one month of ownership. No regrets. My other vehicle has been used just a few times since buying this one. There is enough torque/acceleration to pull away from the crowd at traffic lights if one wanted to. The comfort is not perfect for all day driving, but for the hour max that the car would be driven, its adequate. The initial cost may be higher compared to other compact cars, but the eventual total cost of ownership is calculated to be lower. (Pay a little more up front for greater benefits down the road.) The vehicle is very stable since the wheels are located at the corners.

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  Best SUV Ive ever owned - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero
  By RobDel - March 2 - 4:50 pm

  This has been the best vehicle I have ever owned. I bought it with 52000 miles on it and it now has 122000 miles with out any major or minor repairs. Vehicle rides great, fun to drive, gets good gas mileage and is an all around great SUV. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone. In fact I will buy another one when I wear this one out.

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  Takeshi Nishioka - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By TAKESHI NISHIOKA - February 26 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the money,fun to drive good gas milege,roomy, comfortable and practical.

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  Eclipse Machoman - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Alex - February 25 - 11:23 am

  I am sales representative for computer products in Puerto Rico and my GT 2006 has 98000 miles without any problems.

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  Amazing car! - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Xavier - February 24 - 12:10 pm

  Its an incredible car, I have it since last week and already I can tell you it was the best choice I could have taken. I love the car.

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  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT! - 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By wrightsumner - February 21 - 5:00 pm

  Ive had my Outlander now for 4.5 months and have already put 2000 miles on it. Its a blast to drive, comfortable, great handling, sporty. Lots and lots of car for the money. I got mine with all the features, 30GBHDD, DVD player/Nav system, sun roof, Rockford Fosgate sound system, Blue Tooth, and still payed thousands less than I would have for a RAV-4 or CR-V with comparable options. Im very pleased with the gas mileage. I actually got as much as 32mpg on a recent cross country trip. I average between 25-30 mpg (most of my driving is highway miles). I like the fact that I dont see many on the road. It feels large (I feel safe driving it) but also sporty at the same time.