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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  A Phenominal Value for the $ (tempered) - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By BC - March 20 - 9:36 pm

  This is an amazing car for what it is. Value and character. For one of the few AWD cars on the market with a straight 4 and the turbo provides amazing power from 20-120+mph and is a dead accurate vehicle. Shifts are precise, engine is solid, turbo is ample. Just a true joy to drive when you are in the mood. However, its not a great highway cruiser or Sunday driver, its a harsh and loud ride with little insulation and driver amenities. I use this car for a 65 mile commute daily (round trip) and it has its downfalls. Noise, moderate fuel mileage, VERY SMALL GAS TANK and loud overall with performance tires. But it is what it is: performance car with power to spare & character to match!

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  2002 Eclispe GT - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By hogman - March 20 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Eclishpe since November of 2001. I have driven it about 10000 miles. I have had no problems with it and I enjoy drivingi it. The one thing that I have had to watch is my speed. The first week I had it I was going to a meeting I wondered why everyone was going so slow. Looked down and I was doing 90 in a sixty mile speed area.

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  Still love it after 10 years - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By niftybergin - March 19 - 9:14 pm

  I just turned over 155,000 miles in my Sportback, bought new in 2004. Have to say that I still love this car! Ive kept up with the annual maintenance, use fully synthetic oil and high-test gas, and it runs great. Smooth and quiet. One major repair -- the A/C -- in all this time. Everything else has just been regular maintenance. Love that it has good pick-up when I need it to and that its got enough power to handle mountainous roads. Even after 10 years and 155K miles, I still get 25 MPG city / 31 MPG hwy.

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  05 Versus others - 2004 Mitsubishi Montero
  By cmbianchi - March 18 - 11:03 pm

  Just got back from the Intl Car show and the Montero still outshines all others for $$. Sure hope Mits can bounce back from the $$ problems they are having, itd be a shame to lose this much capable SUV. There is still nothing on the market under or around $40,000 that gives what the Montero gives. Ive got an 03 and see no changes except for the DVD player vs the huge sunroof. I sure would like to see the montero compared to some of the other SUVs out there, or maybe there is a reason it isnt. It would put to shame some of the other dual color plastic interiors and exteriors.

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  Love To Hate It - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Luv2hateit - March 18 - 8:43 pm

  Love the car, except for a few issues. Had to do the brakes a few times, the tail lights and head lights constantly need to be replaced, car has a horrible blind spot and my sun roof stinks!!!!!! Every single time you open it the headliner pops out of the trim. And when I took it into the dealer I was told that they are aware of the problem but they dont know how to fix it!

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  A great car! - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Erfan Eilati - March 17 - 8:20 am

  My car is 2004 and has more than 120,000 miles on it and has had zero problems what so ever! I think the rode noise is a little bit more than Honda Pilot or Toyota 4Runner. The gas mileage is as posted and I drive 90% highway and get ~22-23mgp.

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  Best Looking Car Ever - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By SpartanHelios - March 16 - 9:10 pm

  This is my first new car and I cant think of a better vehicle to ride in. The car has the best character lines I have ever seen. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone even considering a Civic, Corolla or a Scion. The most bang for your buck in this class period.

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  2003 Montero Limited - 2003 Mitsubishi Montero
  By the potts - March 16 - 7:10 pm

  We are so pleased with this vehicle, had to share the experience for future buyers contemplating the Montero. Jeep Cherokee and Infinitis were our comparison vehicles before finding the Montero. Once we drove the Montero, the others paled in comparison both in price and style. Third row seating is a super feature and used more than we would have expected. No lack of power and the shift of gears in auto mode is remarkably smooth.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By sa311420 - March 16 - 10:00 am

  I read almost every review on edmunds before buying my montero sport. It is the best car i ever bought. Great engine,seating position, and FUEL ECONOMY!!! i get almost 23mpg. The car is more trucklike than most SUVs, but that is what i love about it. If i wanted a carlike drive, i would have bought a car.

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  fun on my blue outlander - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Bike kid - March 16 - 10:00 am

  by this date, at almost seven months of of having purchased my SUV I am more than pleased with my blue AWD. By this date I have been able to ride it extensively in road and out road with no problems at all