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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  Fun to Drive, NOT to Fix - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Eclipsin50 - February 22 - 5:26 am

  I bought my 2000 Eclipse GT used with 43000 miles on it. I didnt have the car a month before I started having major problems. The car has always run hot, even with replacing the thermostats twice, Ive replaced the transmission, the sunroof has never worked properly, dashboard cracked when it was cold outside, both power window motors have been replaced,and many smaller things as well. I would NOT recommend an Eclipse to anyone

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  Its finally time to sell - 1996 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Nick - February 20 - 7:53 pm

  I bought this car with 104K on it back in 01. Had it ever since. I now have 225K and it is finally time to get rid of it. The last 20K have had some problems with it, but what car wouldnt at that many miles. Paint has chipped off and some rusting around the wheel wells. Did most repairs myself. Good car for the price I paid. Drove it into the ground but it still gets 25mpg.

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  Great in the V8 - 2007 Mitsubishi Raider
  By frank - February 20 - 7:53 am

  I absolutely love the Mitsu. I have had it 7 months and already have over 12,000 on the odo. I haul my boat and trailer with ease and haul cargo around pretty nimbly. It is a great truck to work in or style in, especially if you dont want the hassle of trying to drive around and park in a full size pickup.

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  Pleased as punch - 2009 Mitsubishi Galant
  By orotunds - February 20 - 12:00 am

  Having driven many different rental vehicles in the past two years, I had a good idea of what I wanted, and didnt want, in the vehicle I was buying. The 2009 Sports Galant from Mitsubishi motors is a great sedan with a moderate price. It reminds me of the Hyundai Azera but it costs several thousand dollars less. The 4 cylinder has good get up and go, and it accelerates quickly. The car handles well and the ride is very smooth. The car has a big trunk with the option of gaining more length by accessing the back seat interior. The car is the new canyon beige color and the exterior and interior is stylish. I am very satisfied with the car, and would have paid even more for it if I had to

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  Not bad, but could be better - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Jenny Lou - February 19 - 6:13 pm

  Well, I purchased my Lancer just over a year ago. As far as reliability, it has been doing pretty well. There has been no major problems, other than bad rotors. However, the interior is not holding up, everything is slowly falling off. The paint job is horrible, it looks like I have two different paint colors on one side. I rotate my tires with every oil change and check my alignment, yet it still shakes on the freeway horribly. It is not a bad car, its still really fun to drive. I love the 5-speed transmission and I got it at a really good price too.

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  A Real Good Looker - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By Sport Sally - February 18 - 8:16 pm

  This car is more suited for long highway drives with very smooth roads. It is like a horse that needs you to let out its reins. It holds the road well at high speeds and the engine does not even labor a breath - even at 90. However this is not a good city car because of poor gas economy during non-highway driving and hard to park because its wide and not too easy to see behind you because of an excessively slanting hatchback; and the imperfections on city streets shake the whole car making the city ride very unpleasant. Although the highway ride is much better, it is still below average in comfort. The dealer test drove me on a very smooth road. I was unaware of this problem until after buying.

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  Cool Car - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
  By Ali family - February 18 - 2:00 am

  We bought our car a month ago, We were looking for a lincoln Navigator or a van. This car is great for Family trips to yosemite and to any other destination. What i like most about this great SUV is the Huge moonroof third row seat for the kids(kids love it), Roomy second row seat, infinite steroe and Magnificent exterior and iterior appearence.

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  Love this Car - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By bina - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I Got into a major accident when this car had less than 3,000 miles on it. I was rear ended on the thru-way going 65 mile per hour because the man behind me was watching the accident and not the cars in front of him. My car had over $9,000 worth of damage to it, and I want you to know, every safty feature including the crumple zone worked perfectly. We had tons of presents in the trunk and not one thing broke, The whole trunk shifted to the ground, leaving all of the trunks contents and us perfectly safe. No one was injured and I was happy I had chose this car!!!

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  Replacement for 2002 Explorer - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By hgold7 - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I got so sick of the stiff bumpy ride in my 2002 Explorer that I figured it was time to move onto something new and different and I found it! The Endeavor is like driving a Caddilac....nice smooth comfortable drive and takes the bumps like a car. Other then the recomendation to use Premium gas in this vehicle and just a bit smaller interior then the Explorer, you cannot go wrong. I have the XLS and the All Wheel Drive is great! Do not pass this one by when shopping....you cannot go wrong, this is a superb SUV with a carlike drive.

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  Needs Paint... - 2006 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By kc - February 17 - 9:43 pm

  My wife was pregnant and we were looking for an SUV. We must have gone everywhere and test driven every model made. When we test drove the Endever I was shocked to find how quiet it is. It was like driving the Acura or BMW. The one bad point is that I have had the vehicle repainted twice because they refuse to paint the whole thing. I found that the paint was bleaching in the sun. My wifes sister also had to have hers repainted as well, because of the same problem! The dealer is a pain to work with as well, so now I have a vehicle that paint does not match on. I am trying to fix the problem.