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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  Kickin - 2002 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Ralliart - June 14 - 10:00 am

  I love my Galant VR-4. Its a blast to see the looks on the drivers that you can keep up with driving their IS 300, 3.2CL type S, Camaro Z28, etc while shifting with a automatic transmission. Plus Ive got 4WD.

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  The OZ is pretty OK - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By sr71 - June 11 - 1:13 pm

  Fun car to drive at a good price. But this car just lacks the power to back up its looks. And the tires that it comes with are about a sticky as wet ice. The front end needs a strut bar as it does have some flex, and higher rate springs and dampers are needed. And the air box needs to be replaced, the poor thing is starving for air. Great 3rd or 4th car. Tops for kids a lot of show but very, very little go.

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  Mits - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Willyorca - June 11 - 10:00 am

  This is a nice vehicle, dont get me wrong, but dont go from a full size V8 SUV to this . I miss the power of my old vehicle although I love the styling- and radio-in this one. Very upset by the crummy gas mileage-the big V8 Chevy did better.

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  The best Sport Compact 4 door yet - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Ralliart7 - June 10 - 2:00 am

  My 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart is frankly the best bang-for-your-buck in the sport compact market. For $15,600 (standard equiptment), there is simply no other car in its class(Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, Honda Civic Si, Ford Focus SVT) that had the quality, performance, value, fun to drive factor, overall. Plus, it runs on regular gas, a savings of about 20 cents a gallon at every fillup.

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  Mitsubishi Montero Sport XLS 4WD - 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Aleksandar Lujic - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Great car, very dependable, it is very strudy in turns, doesnt lean into turns, even though it is an SUV, it behaves like a normal with minor differences. The only downfall is the mpg, compared to other cars very bad, but good compared to other SUVs.

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  NO PUFFING ALLOWED - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Vegas Joe - May 30 - 10:00 am

  Car now comes with Yokahoma tires instead of Bridgestone. The Yokahomas, for some reason, provide a bouncy ride whereas the Bridgestones dont. No workmanship like Smokers package is offered by Mitsubishi. All they offer is a cupholder insert which cant be seen at night. It also reduces the cupholders from two to one.

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  Gets you from A to B - 2002 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By Chiyo - May 29 - 9:23 pm

  I got this used with 36,000 miles on it. The car has good exterior styling, but the inside feels cheap. The seats, sun visors, air filters. The sound system is not that great. The door is too heavy. The car is very slow, so it gets decent gas mileage. It seems fairly reliable, and gets me from A to B without much problems. The wheel size is small, so the tires dont cost much either. I got this car because I got a good deal on it...Otherwise, Id have chosen something more fun to drive...like the Mazda Protege I have had.

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  UNDER RATED ENDEAVOR? - 2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Reggie Love - May 28 - 6:10 pm

  I really dont know why Mitsu is going to stop making this vehicle. Its way better than the outlander, which is noisier vehicle. Its a great SUV, the only thing they have to work on is the fuel economy and add a third row. This car has everything, even the lowest trim available. Its really too bad 2008 is the last year for this model.

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  never fails - 2008 Mitsubishi Galant
  By jtho249 - May 28 - 7:43 am

  I have had my Galant for over two years and 40,000 miles. Ive taken it on long trips and I obviously drive it every day. it is easy to drive. I have not had one issue mechanically. dont get the seats wet. the cloth they used will show a ring just from water. I have had to steam clean the seats to get the marks out. this car looks good and I will always recommend it to friends. as in most cases. treat your car well and it will treat you well.

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  Montero - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
  By louisfd - May 23 - 8:06 am

  Ive enjoyed the Montero except for powerless V6 that drinks losts of gas.