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:

• 

  Fun to Drive around - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Alvin - January 15 - 8:23 pm

  My 2004.5 Endeavor XLS 2WD is really a great SUV. Although I should have gotten the AWD one. Compared to my previous 2001 Montero LTD, this has a more powerful engine, excellent fuel mileage, car ride feel, better sound system, superb uphill torque. I picked this vehicle for its great style and soffisticated look...and the bulky macho look. Looking forward the Ralliart edition.

• 

  Just switched - 2010 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By golden One - January 13 - 12:50 pm

  I just traded a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander for the 2010 Endeavor and I am extremely happy. The great reviews that the Outlander gets is wonderful however for a typical family where the emphasis is on comfort, convenience and ease of operation the Endeavor should be considered. The ride on the Endeavor is far superior with tight handling and great ride comfort. Interior room may on paper be similar, however again the Endeavors layout is far more comfortable. The six speed transmision is smooth and has far greater low end tork. Love it!

• 

  Fun Comfortable Reliable - 2009 Mitsubishi Galant
  By funfolks - January 13 - 10:36 am

  This is our first Mitsubishi. It was a nice car at a great price at 0% financing. So far we are really enjoying it.

• 

  AWD system rocks!! - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By mchrist152 - January 13 - 8:53 am

  Ive been most impressed with the AWD system on this vehicle. It has an electronically controlled clutch that engages and disengages based on inputs like wheel speed, steering wheel position, throttle level, etc. Unlike other vehicles that rely on a viscous coupling, the front wheels dont need to slip before the rear wheels receive power. This vehicle drives all four wheels from a standing start. The end result is that this vehicle holds the road in winter conditions like no other vehicle Ive ever driven. It feels solid - like a Swiss watch - and looks good too. On the down side, it is not as powerful as the RAV4 nor does it get as good of mileage (about 2mpg and 49HP less).

• 

  Wifes little zoom-zoom - 1998 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By dnkfisher - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought this little car for my Minister wife. She drove 120 miles each time on her church circuit, for 3 years. NEVER did she have a problem, even on icy roads, or rainy weather. Only thing replaced was the battery after 3 years. It is also "zippy" enough to get my license suspended for 6 months. Great starter or for a second car.

• 

  Should be better - 2000 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By KY Driver - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Bad resale vaue, had frequent problems with the "check engine soon" light, good fule economy.

• 

  Still the BEST - 2007 Mitsubishi Galant
  By lreimer - January 10 - 4:59 pm

  Think I wrote shortly after my purchase - have now owned the car 3.5 yrs and have 40,000 on it. Speaking from experience the Ralliart is simply THE BEST - better than Mercedes or BMW - much more fun to drive. I get 18MPG City and 28MPG Hiway. Everything just "feels" right. Had an 07 Eclipse Spyder 6-spd before this - and SAME comments. Only reason I traded it was top "slit" twice in Miami Parking. A "tip" for Ralliart Owners - the engine runs FINE on "Regular" - Mitsu says "Premium RECOMMENDED" - but 3.8 V6 still perfect on Regular - one SWEET engine! One SWEET car!!! A real KEEPER - and a REAL "Sleeper" !! Only about 2500 total made during 07-09 Model run.

• 

  No Complaints with the Ralliart - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By Ralliart in Canada - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a Ralliart about 10 months ago.The staff at Vancouver Mitsubishi,were extremely helpful and unlike other dealerships (eg.Honda,toyota, etc) were not aggressively pushy.They let a good car sell itself.The ralliart is an exceptional car for the money. All the other cars in the class are really just 4 door hatchs with little or no room in the back.My car has enough room for 4 six footers and my 2 mid sized dogs. Not to mention great performance and sound. good job Mitsubishi!!!!

• 

  I must have a lemon - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Simps79 - January 7 - 6:56 am

  I bought my Galant brand new in 2004. Ive had more problems with my car than any other car Ive ever had. Within the first 6 months, my horn stopped working which is pretty dangerous if I needed it to prevent an accident. I had squeaky breaks for months and paid over $900 to fix the problem. After replacing them twice and they still squeaked I ended up having to buy ceramic brake pads and that stopped the squeaking but I had to get management involved to even fix the problem. My headlights go out often! Ive just been very disappointed with this car. Im trying to keep it until it falls apart because the value has decreased too much.

• 

  Must be strick manufacturing tolerances! - 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Mr.Fussy - January 7 - 2:00 am

  In a 3 year period my wife and I had a new Toyota 4 Runner Limited, Dodge Dacota 4x4, a Murc.Mountianeer and the Mitsubishi 2000 Sport XLS 4x4. Of all of them we agreed that the Sport had the best road feel, body tightness and general responce and efficiency in the overall drivability. Last year on a vacation we rented a Grand Cherokee. It was brand new and we were afraid that it would handle better then the Sport.It didnt.