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 First Car - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Samira - March 16 - 12:36 pm

  Overall this is an excellent beginners car. I have owned this car for five years and before I got it, it had 17000 miles on it from a rental car company. I havent had any problems with it other than standard repairs (oil changes, brake pads, new tires, etc). It is almost 6 years old now and it has just under 60000 miles on it. It is completely reliable and easy to maintain on my own and Im a do-it-yourself kinda girl without much mechanic experience. My only complaints about this car are primarily superficial. The only thing I need to fix is the ac/heat knob bc it wont turn to heat. Read my suggested improvements (which I think got fixed in future models, the 2009s are really nice)!

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  Amazing! - 2005 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Tabby - March 15 - 3:36 pm

  I just bought this car used a week ago. I love it, it handles just the way I like, like the Lancer platform it was built on. Hugs the curves just the way I like. Holds the road with almost NO body lean. Its incredibly fun to drive. My first SUV, and Im in love with it. Lots of room and plenty of cargo cubbyholes. Plenty of room for my big dog to ride in the back. I have the Sun & Sound package and I love my Infinity sound system. Great gas mileage for an SUV.

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  Nice! - 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Mrjb - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car used (35k miles) Drove it for 5 years without any mentionable problems. Spak pluk wire came loose once & electric antanna has an additude. Thought i wanted to trade it for a new car once paid off but couldnt part with my baby. After 132,000 i finally have to. The transmission is starting to go, which i guess is a bad defect, but to me the time to get a more fuel efficient sedan. (still, 17-20 mpg is not bad fro suv) The ride is great. 63" with back problems and i can drive it for 9 hrs straight!

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  great - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By navymom - March 15 - 2:00 am

  driving the outlander is the best car ever....comfort is great , the ride is smooth.....i bought what i wanted and needed without buying what i didnt need..this car is great

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  Stylin - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By guess1885 - March 15 - 2:00 am

  This baby is the ultimate driving machine, especially for young drivers. Its safe, sporty, fun, and gets great milage. I have the yellow OZ and I love the way it gets attention.

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  Excellent Value for the Money - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By ALRON - March 15 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle for my wife 2 weeks ago and after driving it a few times I have noticed the great value that you get around for mid $22K with incentives and invoice pricing. It drives like a car and have features which are considered extras in competing models. It feels very solid and stable in highway cruising. Interior design blends in a contemporary pattern.

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  excellent commuter car - 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By mattwc1 - March 14 - 7:13 pm

  This is an excellent commuter car. I purchased this car to travel over 40 miles (one way) to work. It has had no mechanical issues whatsoever. It has almost 90,000 miles on the odometer and is still bulletproof. I bought this car from Hertz Car sales at a firesale price and have made an excellent decision (value/reliability/comfort). The fuel economy averages between 30 -36 mpg highway. I get in the high 20s in stop and go driving. I do agree that the paint chips very easily (especially the hood) and the dashboard is a little funky (no tachometer and good placement for cupholders but puddles form below on storage cubby). It provides easy access to the engine (plugs/filter/oil changes) for do it yourselfers!. This car is an excellent buy obscured by popular Honda/Toyota models.

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  It gets you were you want to go - 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By t2c4u - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Its not the flashies, fastest, or funest, but it gets you were you want to go very cheeply. Im getting 40mpg with the standard. And its pretty confortable to drive. Great first time car.

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  Cool & Reliable, but a bit rough. - 2000 Mitsubishi Montero
  By MontyDriver - March 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my fourth car, I used to own a Mountaineer. See comments below. All in all Id recommend it to anyone who wont get hung up on the interior shortcomings or worse-than-average handling. (Or if you want to win an off- road rally.)

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  wOw!!! - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By DEBROMELL - March 13 - 10:00 am

  My wife & I just purchased this beautiful vehicle and are definitely pleased. The exterior (black) is really nice.