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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  Maybe.... - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By vagirl - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I am an avid fan of the Nissan Altima, my fiance has one and I had one until it was in a car accident and I had to go looking for another car. I never considered the Galant because I didnt know a lot about it, I had seen commercials all over the place about the eclipse but the galant was an afterthought. I have the V4 and when I test drove it I though I was driving a V6 and commented to the dealer that as a V6 it was a tad sluggish, they said, "no, you tested the V4", well I take it back, as a V4 its got a little bit of a zing then! I am still getting used to it and continue to be a loyal fan of Nissan, but Mitsubishi isnt far off!

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  Well....I guess I like it - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By colembaw - October 11 - 10:46 am

  I like my Lancer, but I think that it is a little average. The fuel economy is OK, the ride is OK, I dont want to come across as an unsatisfied customer, but I just havent been blown away by the car. The interior is above average, I like the standard features, but overall I havent been thrilled with the pick-up or the way that I have been followed up with by the dealership (none). Being a car salesman now, I look back on the experience I had and see how to not sell a customer a car.

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  A car that adapts to your life - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By garlinghouse - October 8 - 10:20 am

  My Lancer ES was my first new car. Being young and immature I drove it like a rally car the first 10k miles of its life. As I got more responsible and mature I began driving it normally. After getting married and having 2 kids it made a great family car. My wife now uses it everyday to make long commutes to work and school driving at least 150 miles a day. This car still gets great gas mileage around 27mph average, has never let me or my family down even at 80k plus miles. This car can take anything you or your life throw its way. All it asks in return is follow its maintenance schedule by the book and this car will do whatever you need it to do.... within reason! Highly recommended.

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  GTZ - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By floejoe - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my GTZ new almost 2 years ago. For the most part I have thoroughly enjoyed. My wife mainly drives the car and she loves it. My only dissapointment is the sloppiness of the transimission. When you need the car to downshift for passing the transmission takes forever to shift. The car has a good ride to it and isrelatively quiet at freeway speeds. The gas mileage sucks for a v6. I normally get 22 around town and 25 on the freeway. My 97 z28 camaro gets better gas mileage than this car. Build quality is good and I havent had any mechanical problems.

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  2000 eclipse gt - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By robplee - September 30 - 5:20 am

  fun car to drive . holds up very well in auto accident.

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  Could have been perfect! - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Eric - September 28 - 4:40 pm

  Had the car for 3 years now, this car is like bi-polar to me, it can give me the greatest feelings on the road or just looking at it already creates emotions. It handles nicely looks like a shark and is pretty roomy for its size. Whats sad is, it is near perfect but mitsu made cuts in bad areas thinking we would not notice. First thing I notice, rattles came in pretty soon, about a month after purchase they came from the road noise and when I turn the music at near half power speaker grills rattle and doors to. And this is the BASIC sound system not even with the sub-woofer in it. And the paint. Where is it? Oh! I supposed they put in more clear then. Nope! Thats not what road hazards say.

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  CANT BELIEVE IT!!! - 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By jim O - September 27 - 11:53 am

  I leased in 2005 and bought in 2008! I have had NO PROBLEMS with my 2005 MITSI!!!!!!!NADA!! ZERO!!! Go figure! PLUS My wife would KILL ME if I traded her for a 350 Z..Im sold!

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  Young Family Car - 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By ihab.salem - September 26 - 1:36 pm

  This car is very practical for small/young family. Its smooth, quick, not feature rich but do the required. Average cargo space, very comfortable with more than enough legs, head and shoulders space for 5 adults (or 2 adults, 2 child, and a baby seat). As I am living in a very hot country I found the AC is very effective in summer. The automatic gear is very responsive. I tried many other SUVs nowadays (e.g. Acadia, Pilot, Explorer, etc) and cant find any match to its powerful & responsive brakes. I was near the Oman tsunami in 2006 (in Sharjah Emirate) and this car saved me from drowning in water in low streets while similar SUV drowned (CR-V, Sportage, Vitara). But very low MPG in city.

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  2009 Lancer - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Chris - September 24 - 10:13 am

  Positive: Very stylish with nice exterior and interior, great handling and braking. The ac works great. Fuel economy around 25 mpg in mix driving. Negative: Noisy, acceleration could be better

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  Great Car - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By rate it - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Incredible vehicle...not one problem with 60k+ on the car...great power, handles great, incredibly smooth ride, fuel/mileage incredible... Blows the Cougar and Celica out of the water...not even in the same class!