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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  MY ECLIPSE GTS - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By DAVEBROOKE - November 24 - 10:00 am

  I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 03 GTS 5 SPEED AND I LOVE THIS VEHICLE! I WAS DRIVING AN SUV AT THE TIME AND WAS LOOKING FOR SOMTETHING MORE FUN TO DRIVE. ID OWNED SPORTS CARS IN THE PAST AND MISSED THAT FUN FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THEM. AFTER MUCH CONSIDERATION IN THAT MARKET, I DETERMINED THIS WAS THE CAR FOR ME! THE RIDE,PERFORMANCE,SHIFTING,AND HANDLING ARE SUPERIOR!

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  Dont Overlook This One. - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Cuffy - November 19 - 3:23 am

  Overall this is a top notch design by Mitsubishi. As a complete package it outshines all other competitors in the segment and for a price far less than expected. Performance, power, style, handling, comfort, convenience, technology, fuel economy and fun all wrapped up in a sharp looking CUV with big room on a small budget. Nice fit/finish for this segment - tight seams and clean lines all around. Interior plastics are on par with other manufacturers, but could be slightly softer. The 6-speed is responsive and great for mileage, but can hunt for the right gear on long inclines. Reliability shouldnt be an issue, especially with the outstanding warranty.

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  Sweet Ride! - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By eclipse6racer - November 19 - 2:56 am

  First off, the obvious about this car...it looks sweet, it handles great, its fast ,and has a cool interior design especially with the glowing blue leds. What this car is not is a four seater, nor a three seater as the back has absolutely no room. Im 62" and most of my friends are tall as well. But hey, why buy a sports car if you have a family? Go get yourself a minivan in that case! Anyways, its a very sweet ride and it is fast. I love it,and if you love the sound of a race car, and I dont mean just change the damn muffler, throw a magnaflow exhaust on minus the resonator and second cat and it sounds better than any of those Fast and Furious rides from the movie yummy!

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  Close, but no cigar - 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By Augie - November 18 - 10:00 am

  First read the reviews of the vehicle and was a wary buyer. The reviews did not mention the "wander" on flat, open highways, but have found little of the review material to be correct. Overall, good car for the money but the gas mileage could be improved and the "wander" needs eliminated. Also, at 511", the drivers seat has to be all the way back and the rear of the seat in a reclined position to be comfortable.

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  Awesome ride! - 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By lovein it - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Since I have bought this car I have loved every minute of it. It is more fun to drive then my friends Lexus and has much more power. It has a great vaule to me for my budget and gets many looks going down the road. Its one classy car.

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  Greatest car ever - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By AcidRain310 - November 18 - 10:00 am

  I have to say that this is the greatest car ever. I am in love with it

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  Satisfied Customer - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Lamb - November 16 - 4:36 am

  I have been very pleasantly surprised by my 04 Endeavor! It has had zero problems, has excellent stability and handling, has car-like comfort, has good size and room for the price, and has good acceleration. The lease is almost up and Ill get another and probably buy this one.

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Archquark - November 13 - 8:40 pm

  I just retired in March 07, 2007 and the wife and I wanted a vehicle for trips to Nova Scotia from our home in Ontario. We looked into several other SUVs but we both liked the Outlander right away. It has a lot things that appeal to us. Comfortable seats, ability to switch to manual control (we both drive manuals, mine 2001 Jetta TDI and her a 2004 Saturn Ion Quad Coupe) 4 wheel disc ABS with EBD, active skid control, great sound system etc. Just wish they had made third seat an option and left more room for storage for all us boomers whose children are in their 20s and 30s.

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  Super Car clearly a Best Bet .. - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By eagleeyez - November 13 - 6:29 am

  Just bought 2007 Outlander for my son , compared to competitors (subaru forester, hyundai santa fe, jeep liberty and others ) this car is fantastic . The V6 is powerful and silky smooth, handling and breaks are tight , and the seats are very comfortable , just finished 900 mile trip. Car has the optional Rockford Fosgate stereo which is also very nice ..Oh and yes it gets great gas mileage and its loaded with safety features such as side air , front air , side curtain air stability control . In truth there is no comparing the underpowered poorly implemented 4 cylinder junk from buru , and hyundai , jeep has a weak v6 that guzzles gas . Would buy the Mitsu again ..

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  Great Family Car - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By very nice car - November 12 - 5:03 pm

  My 2004 Mitsubishi Galant has a very roomy back seat area, but the front head room could be a little higher. Also, the steering wheel tilt could have a little more range. Overall, this cars driving comfort is great. The road noise is a little loud, but overall it is a very good driving car.