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 Review...The Real Deal - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Mr. Eclipse - November 27 - 7:16 am

  Im 17 years old and we purchased my 06 Eclipse back in July. I love this car so much. Plus, it helps me feel better about myself. All my friends like the car too. I love driving the 6-speed manual. I wouldnt have settled for the automatic. This is deffinitely a car that holds its own on the streets. And it turns plenty of heads as you drive by in style. Just dont plan on taking a few friends out for the night. Maybe one in the back, but thats all the backseat is going to fit comfortably. And thats if they recline in the whole seat with their legs up in the seat. Its tiny back there. But if you want to take that nice young lady out for the night alone, it is awesome.

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  Its not all it is cracked up to be.... - 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
  By Kyle - November 27 - 6:31 am

  Firstly this vehicle is catered to a cheaper market i get it but it is none the less a vehicle that should have not ever left the drawing board. Firstly I am luck to have only rented this vehicle and not purchased it. That is really dodging a bullet. Ok picture this a car salesman doing his job and trying to sale you a car talking about all the features in the car blah blah blah. With that being said there are things you would never pick up on when you are on a test drive. So lets get started...First the car is so under powered and is poor at accelerating I think my poodle can run fast than this car. Pretty much dont rely on this car if you need to get out of the way or move out of danger quickly. Truth be told I was getting on a highway on ramp and it took forever to accelerate. Secondly I think they rushed the design of this engine or at least the cruise control system....Im sorry to say but it is garbage. Why is it garbage you might ask? If it is not busy increasing and decreasing rapidly the RPMs its busy struggling to keep up with you speed change request. Not just that the way it engages it the most counter intuitive way to engage it. To engage it you turn on the master switch on the steering column, then while you are at the desired speed release the acceleration pedal the depress the set mode then hold the accelerate mode on the steering column for approx 8-15 second to see any increase in RPM, then finally it increases but just maybe 100-300 increase in RPM, then finally it gets up to 3000-4000 RPM. Mind you im going highway speeds at level ground give or take. It was more annoying to have the cruise control on than anything so i just left it off for the duration. The electronic information available to the driver is very minimal would be nice to know whats going on with the car while your driving. The entertainment system is an attempt to stay with the times but it has a ways to go....not to user friendly to driver in particular the satellite radio functions. Finally there is only on usb and that is in the central arm rest. Its funny that it has the option for a line in component such as a mp3 player but physically there is no location to plug in the line in... It wouldnt have been for those items to be corrected i would say this car could have the potential to last more than 5-8 years. I can just see the lemon tree grow......Good try Mitsubishi but im not convinced. Ill give it to you though your partners on the lancer side of the house have got it down but this Out-lander Sport needs to be redesigned.

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  Fun and Affordable - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Boshi - November 27 - 5:23 am

  The GTS is nicely equipped for a vehicle under 25k with nice pick up and go especially in the midrange rpm. The interior is fairly sleek with blue accent instrument panel. The 9 speaker Rockford stereo system definitely thumps with a 10" woofer in the trunk. The mileage is pretty good for highway driving. Ive been averaging 28 mpg which is what i was getting on my ford focus but this car definitely has the fierce look to it. A real head turner.

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  Like It, but Never Loved It - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Bergerman - November 26 - 7:10 pm

  The Galant is an overall good, solid, reliable car. It was years ahead of its competition in exterior design. As soon as the others caught up, they went and made it ugly again in 04. Its resale value stinks, I mean its absolutely horrible, to the point that I cannot trade it in, so I just have to live with it, kinda like my wife. She calls it the "Grampa mobile" because it handles like the 89 DeVille I drove in college.

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  Cute! - 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By lisasue - November 26 - 1:00 pm

  I was unsure of this car, but my husband liked the safety features, so I agreed to test drive it. I like the fact that I get such killer gas mileage, and it always starts right up! Plus its easy to find a place to park. Its not real great on the freeway, but driving around town its awesome. All in all, I would do it again.

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  I love this car! - 2007 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Mitsubishi PrOpHeT - November 23 - 3:13 pm

  Ive been driving Galants ever since I first started driving and this is the best one yet! My first car was a 95 Galant, my second one was a 00, and now I currently drive the 07. All in all, I can honestly say that this is a GREAT car. PERIOD! Probably will be the only type of car I will ever drive (unless I hit the lottery or something, lol!) I get great gas mileage, handling is pretty good, it looks sharp, and rides very smooth. I couldnt be happier with this purchase. Before I purchased my car, I test drove the Dodge Avenger, the Nissan Altima, and the Chevy Impala, looking for something different, and none of these other vehicles, in my opinion, could come close to the Galant.

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  Former Montero - 2000 Mitsubishi Montero
  By Trey Lemons - November 23 - 10:00 am

  I had just bought the Montero with the endeavor package from a used dealer to take up to see my fiance for our wedding. While I was driving it around on the freeway I was stuck in the normal Va beach traffic at an exit ramp when a big rig (18 wheeler) came down the hill and ran straight into me from the back. If I was in a smaller vehicle I wouldnt be here saying how wonderful this vehicle is! It is totaled to say the least but I survived with only some stitches and staples. I think this is a great vehicle and Id definitely want another!

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  Not my Audi TT, but great for $20k less - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By cutcoll - November 23 - 10:00 am

  I use my Mitsubishi Lancer SB/GTS for driving to work and chores. I have an 2009 Audi TT 2.0/Quattro I drive when Im not going to work. When Im driving the Lancer, I often wonder where the $20k difference in price is. The Lancer has many of the same features like auto. headlights and wipers, heated leather seats, pwr windows, ABS/ATC/ASC, 4 wheel disc brakes,anti-theft system, 18" aluminum wheels(extra $850 on the TT), cruise control, paddle shifters, steering wheel mounted controls, automatic temperature control... So where is the difference? The Lancer exceeds the mpg rating. Im averaging 30 with mixed driving. Plus the Lancers 6CD sound system puts the Audis to shame.

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  Very nice - 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Edward - November 23 - 7:03 am

  We have had the Endeavor for 1 year and is very pleased. We use REGULAR GAS in it without any ill effects. Averages 19-20 MPG... which is better than My Honda Pilot EX. Build quality is not yet up to Honda standards.

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  Really Great Car - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By coots - November 22 - 11:13 am

  great looking and great suv