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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  Womans best friend - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By classy5465 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Endeavor in Feb. of 04. I needed a vehicle that would hold my granddaughter, my greyhound and all of the work items that I have to transport. I also wanted something sharp and attractive, tough and durable and different from all the other SUVs on the road. I got all of that plus more in my Endeavor. It is a cool color, the interior is practical and spill-proof, and the back window opens independently of the back door (a must for greyhound owners.) The back seats lay down flat, giving me tons of cargo space. It is not too high to get into comfortably, not too wide to park easily and really great to look at!

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  Mitsubishi GTS - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By karron - May 11 - 6:16 am

  Love Mitsubishis. Bought GTS on Governments cash for clunkers program. Love the handling, this thing handles, really is a joy to drive, & being a woman dont think I drive slow. Best looking car in its class, always get lots of positive comments about it.

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  Woo First CAR!! - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By InCuBaSs - May 10 - 2:00 am

  If your not looking for car that so over fast. Even with 4 cyl it still has good pick up the interior is very sporty, the exterior is fresh and different fom others. you wont be seeing alot of these on the road cause not everyone can afford its a good first time car for younger people like myself the top of its class and is fun to drive!

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  I love my Montero Sport - 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By comatt - May 6 - 8:05 pm

  I have had mine for about 3 years, it has 120,000 miles and love it. It has been a great roadtrip vehicle, I have taken it on many 1000+ mile trips and it is comfortable, gas mileage could be better but it performs well. I have had no service issues with it, and have done all the regular maintanence on it. I recently changed the belts to find that the originals were still on it after 11 years of use. The interior holds up well; my leather seats barely show any wear and the buttons and dials all still appear new. This is a great SUV and I intend to run her for many years to come.

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  Check This Car Out! - 2005 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Jay - May 6 - 3:13 pm

  I recently traded my 2002 VW Jetta for this car and so glad I did! I test drove the Honda Accord and found the Mitsubishi SE to be a better alternative with more incentives, 0% apr, rebates, and warranty is way better than Honda (just because it isnt as popular as the Hondas I am sure) so we got a car with the same features as the Accord for $5,000 less! It has unique look with a comfortable ride and handling. I think this car has been underated my the by most of the researchers and deserves a test drive at least...I also own a 2002 Mitsubishi SUV and have had excellent luck with that...so we will see but so far i am very impressed a lot of car for the $$$.

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  Great All Purpose SUV - 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By KPF - May 4 - 7:10 pm

  About 1000 miles now, really great overall product. Responsive, fun to drive, peppy, really nice ergonomics, and fuel efficiency has been surprisingly strong at over 22mpg consistently. Drove everything on the market, 4runner, LR2, you name it, this is really the best overall package for the best price.

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  More than esctatic - 2003 Mitsubishi Montero
  By dplumley - May 4 - 10:00 am

  After testing about 10 SUVs (and no worthy candidates for purchase in sight), I was immediately hooked on the Montero Limited. After owning it for 5 months, I love it even more than the day I drove it off the lot! It drives as smooth and fun as it looks, and is also as tough and well engineered as it looks (tested this in a serious collision - I walked away without a scratch thanks to the excellent impact absorbtion design). I have no idea why reviews of this vehicle are poor. I already plan, in 12 years, to trade this one in for whatever Montero Limited exists at that time. I only hope the price is as good then as it is now!!!!

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  My Car - 1999 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Jammie - May 3 - 1:33 pm

  Great teenager car - the nose end is a little long and pointy, but thats about all that I dont like about it. Its a great car and drives well, I have got stuck in the snow once or twice, but even though it dosent have 4 wheel drive it does go pretty well in the snow. Oh, one other small thing I dont like about it - the cup holder situation, there are two cup holders but the back one is covered by the console lid that sticks clear out, but again just a small dumb thing.

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  Love my Monty - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero
  By Monty Lover - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Truthfully there are only two minor things that Id say. The engine really doesnt give you enough zing when you want to accelerate hard. And its gas mileage doesnt make me exactly "excited". That said, more power would decrease the gas mileage even more. And while this IS an SUV, I knew what I was getting into when it comes to paying at the pump before I purchased it. Want higher mileage, get a compact!

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  Great SUV - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
  By Betsey and Keith - April 29 - 10:00 am

  We were looking at an Explorer and a Cherokee and the Montero and found this one-year old Montero Limited. We loved driving it, got it for a good price and decided we wanted it. I went from driving a Firebird to this so I am very pleased with the head/leg room. I LOVE the exterior look (one thing I couldnt convince my husband on about the explorer). It has adequate get-up-and-go and manages very nicely. We love it, couldnt ask for a better SUV.