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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  2001 Diamate LS - 2001 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By Greg Mace - December 22 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Mitsubishi Diamante I have owned. My first one a 1992 ran like a champ. After 120,000 miles all I need to replace was tires, brakes and battery. I sold it in 1999 and recently found the buyer still had it and it has 160,000 miles and stil runs like a champ. He told me it was the best used car hed ever bought. My 2001 Diamante LS is all that I expected. A smooth ride, plenty of horsepower and smooth ride. I have friends with BMWs that kick themselves for not buying a Diamamte. They said the ride is as nice as the BMWs and I paid $10,000 less.

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  2002 OZ Rally Edition is Great Overall - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Steven Lawson - December 22 - 10:00 am

  Great Handling Car. I took the car shortly after I bought it on a road trip through the mountains of Virginia and West VA at 70 miles an hour with no body roll and great handling. Fun car with plenty of speed for your average driver. The only thing that really needs improvement is the acceleration

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  Third Montero - 2005 Mitsubishi Montero
  By RallyRedEvo - December 20 - 5:30 pm

  Just traded in our 2001 Montero Ltd for a 2005 Montero. This is our third Montero (1992, 2001, 2005) Our other Monteros were so dependable we see no reason to buy anything else. Every year we road trip our vacation and the Monte is an awesome vehicle for traveling; comfortable, spacious, decent fuel mileage and room for a ton of luggage.

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  Great car - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By RSchopbach - December 18 - 10:00 am

  I love this car

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  Underrated - 2005 Mitsubishi Montero
  By B H - December 15 - 11:16 pm

  This is a true SUV. Seats 7 for sporty issues with kids. Reliable in snow and secure on potholes. Great service from dealer. If you are looking for something country and city without the supper horse power (gets you tickets) this is the real McCoy.

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  Satisfied Buyer - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Baltimore Buyer - December 14 - 5:56 pm

  I am VERY pleased with the handling and how smooth the car is. Lots of space on the front seat (I am 602") and the truck. Very comfortable and luxury interior. Little space on the back seats (I think this was corrected in the new Gallant). The engine has very good power for a V4 and such a big car. Both a/c and heater do a perfect job. The only serious problem is the poor gas economy. The car makes 24 m/g (average city/hwy), while my old Sentra with 160K miles regularly got me 30 m/g.

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  Good Family Vehicle - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By C - December 11 - 7:16 am

  Ive always had minivans before this and I was reluctant to go to an SUV because I enjoyed the extra backseat. However, after test driving the Outlander with my family of five we decited to buy. My three kids fit comfortably in the backseat (with two booster seats) The height is simliar to a van and the trunk is a lot roomier.

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  What a great car! - 1996 Mitsubishi Galant
  By MATH - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Galant S (5 speed manual) in December 2001 with about 80k on it. So far I have put almost 25K. This car is by far the most reliable I have ever owned. Engine is strong, acceleration and braking are very good. Now on the down side... * The RPM indicator and some of the Dash lights (A/C knobs) have started working only part-time! * Water gets in the trunk every time it rains. But hey, for the money, the age and mileage of this vehicle, I am not complaining!

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  endeavor rules - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By PaRtYgOd123 - December 9 - 2:00 am

  the endeavor is a wonderful suv with complete comfort good looks and very low priced for whats its worth.it gets good gas millage for an suv and is very roomy in the inside.

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  best car ever made - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By lop - December 8 - 4:50 am

  the nice handling and the beautiful pur this engine makes, makes it all that much better