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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  Interior Quality - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Shannon Stone - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a new 2001 Galant in 2000. The vehicle runs great, but it is cheaply put together. My map light falls from the roof, the side mirror adjusters fall off, the entire glove box lock fell out when I tried to lock it, and the vent on the passenger side fell into my dash. It is not fun to pay for a car that you hate. Also the side doors ding VERY easily if someone next to you kits your door in a parking lot.

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  NOT A GOOD CHOICE - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By NOT A GOOD CHOICE! - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I PURCHASED A NEW MITSUBISHI MONTERO AND TRUST ME, IT IS THE WORST CAR EVER! I AM 40 YEARS OLD SO I KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A CAR, AND THIS ONE IS NOT WORTH IT! 1) ITS DRIVE MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFTORABLE BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIKE IT IS ALWAYS GOING TO TIP OVER. 2) THIS CAR WAS RATED MOST IN THE US TO BE TIPPED OVER. I FOUND THIS OUT AFTER I PURCHAES MY NEW MONTERO SPORT. DO NOT GET THIS CAR, YOUR LIFE WILL BE RUINED BY THE BAD CHOICE IF YOU DO!

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  Massively underrated - 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
  By Chad - August 16 - 9:51 am

  Purchased this for my wife. We had test driven a 2013 two years ago and were disappointed with its acceleration. Thankfully, the 2015 is no where near the same. Mitsubishi refined the CVT and added the 2.4 liter motor which made a huge difference in performance. We love the HID headlamps. Since we live in the country, deer are always a hazard. These headlights have a tremendously wide angle allowing the driver to see deer much better at night. Love it. Also, the breaks are very responsive. Cruise control is great. The Rockford Fosgate sound system is worth the money...incredible for a stock system. We like the physical size of the vehicle...not huge and not too small. Perfect for a small family and easy to drive. Visibility and seating position is excellent...unlike rav4. Rain sensing wipers are handy and work well. The four wheel drive system is much more advanced than most of the competition. You can actually lock the differential unlike Subaru and Honda. Toyota rav4 does lock, but you can only go 25 mph. The dealership was great. And these motors have a great reputation for reliability. Warranty is unmatched by any Japanese brand. Proudly built in the USA. We have been getting 27 mpg in 60/40 highway/city driving. Wife loves the heated seats, auto climate control, and panaramic roof. We paid 25k. Give this suv a shot if you are in the market...dont be brainwashed by paid reviewers/journalists. Update: car has been completely trouble free. Not a single issue (as it should be) in the 14k miles we have owned it. Still no rattles. Everyone still loves it. Update 4/25/17: still no problems with the car. Coming up on 18k miles of completely trouble free driving. Feels solid as a rock. Expect many more trouble free miles.

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  Top car - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Wilson Silva - August 14 - 8:03 pm

  Bought this car brand new with 17 miles and now 210,930 miles , still in good shape . Durable and dependable

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  AIRBAGS???? - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Culebrita - August 14 - 10:00 am

  When I hit a guard rail at 65 MPH head on, no airbags came out. I searched and found out that other people had had the same problem, because even tho the car has airbagsm there were no sensors. Wont buy a mitsubishi again.

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  Great - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Mukesh - August 14 - 10:00 am

  good and great recomondation

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  2004 Outlander XLS AWD - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By benzbeforemitsu:-) - August 14 - 3:10 am

  I have driven Mercedes all my life. A few months before my lease on a 230 Komressor SLK expired I started SUV shopping. I test drove multiple makes and models and out of all of them, the Mitsubishi Outlander was the best. It met my requirements for price, fuel economy, warranty, speed, design, and usefulness. After test driving a bunch of SUVs in its class I fell in love with my Outlander. Great job Mitsubishi!!!

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  Dependability - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
  By ray - August 12 - 10:26 pm

  I love this vehicle. I have 167,000 miles on this vehicle. The only money spent was on general maintenance items. No break downs or repairs. The timing belt is supposed to be changed every 60,000 miles, but I changed after 90,000 miles and only once thus far.I change oil every 6,000 miles. it does seem to take about a quart of oil every 2,000 miles.I purchased this vehicle with 27,000 miles on it.

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  Its NOT your Dads HOT ROD - 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By dbrandenburg - August 12 - 6:12 pm

  I bought One of thee Mitsubishi Mirages, in late Nov. 2014.. The DE Model, (Automatic CVT), Sapphire blue.. For a First time buyer, It truly is a great car, Or for commuters.. It IS comfy driving, though seat adjustment/Steering Wheel could use a Improvement.. Noise Isnt really to bad, Annoying getting Off the starting Line, (green lights), though the Majority of the noise comes from the Transmission/Engine Combination, which IMOP could be Eliminated with noise dampening materials in the Firewall area(s), without sacrificing weight.. Going on Long trips, 600+ on I-40 is YES; is treacherously "fun",, Be prepared for the "side draft" from Big Rigs as they pass you, or them vice-versa..

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  A car with cachet! - 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By schlemba - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Its been one month now and Im more pleased than with any other new car purchase Ive had. This car gets the looks - Ive even been approached at a gas station and asked abou it. Sure, it doesnt have the horsepower of the top Maxima or Accord but the spunky torque takes you from nothing to something quickly enough. If youre undecided, heres a test - count the number of Camrys, Maximas, Accords, and Altimas you see in a day. Then count how many Diamante VR-Xs you see. Thats the cachet you cant put a price on.