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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  Love it, BUT - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By PN - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I didnt think I would like just from the comercial, but once I saw it in person and drove it, my wife and I loved it. Only have about 1300 miles on it and the only complaints so far is it pulls to the right and the rattling sound while accelerating. It is a distinct seperate sound from the engine, exactly in time with the accelerator. Bringing back to the dealer for evaluation on 4/25.

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  Price and Power - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Barrone - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I have been waiting for years to experiance that feeling I felt when I purchased my first car. My search ended with the discovery of the Mitsubishi Lancer. This car is much better equiped than other vehicles in its class. The Lancer is only a little over 13Kwith a slew of appointments such as Power w,dl,m. You also get standard A/C power steering and 145watt cd player. The real pleasure is getting behind the whel. Who cares about horse power and tourque ratings when this car nearly shoves you through the seat on take of, turns corners like its on rails and brakes on a dime.

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  FUN IN EVERY WAY - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By agoody68 - January 3 - 10:00 am

  It drives, and handles like a car. Great power, and room.

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  Mitusubishi Lancer ES - Excellent Value - 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Tanzeem - January 3 - 5:46 am

  The Lancer is an excellent value! It has Japanese build quality, feels substantial, gets good fuel economy, has an above average sound sytem, and it absorbs bumps with ease. So far my car has been very reliable. I drove a 1999 Mitsubishi Lancer MX-Extra 1.5 4cylinder in Asia for 4 years and put 178,000 trouble free miles even under extremely heat, stress, and stop and go traffic. My brother is still driving it. The 2006 Lancer feels much stiffer, has more power, interior room and should easily last 250,000 miles+ if maintained according to the owners manual. Overall this is one of the best Japanese Econo Sedans money can buy. It has a solid build quality. The best value is the ES. Go for the Ralliart if you want to go 0-100 fast and then back down to 0 with all round disc and the 2.4L engine.

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  This Car Rocks! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By bsant54 - January 3 - 2:00 am

  Amazing acceleration, very comfortable (Im 6 ft tall), excellent combination of ride and handling and you get a lot of looks on the road - superb value for the money.

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  Montero Sport Praise - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Thomas Birdsall - December 30 - 5:13 am

  My Montero Sport has not had any unexpected mechanical problems. I have been very happy overall with this vehicle. Its handling is agile and, in a way, fun, espescially for an SUV. The engine used to squeak occasionally, but the problem was cleared up easily and deeemed not to be a design flaw.

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  Love this car! - 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Delissa - December 27 - 7:56 pm

  Two weeks ago we traded our 2006 Eclipse GT in on a 2009 Eclipse GT. I really like the looks of the dual exhaust. Our old Eclipse had the automatic transmission and this time we opted for the 6-speed standard. It seems to have so much more power than the automatic. I dont know if they have made the back window larger, but it seems easier to see behind you when backing. I feel sure we will enjoy the sun-roof when the weather is nicer and the Rockford-Fosgate stereo absolutely rocks! I love this car and think Im hooked on Eclipses forever!

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  Sweet - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By dave4408 - December 26 - 8:03 am

  This car is very fun to drive. The sportronic transmission resembles a ratchet shifter for an early model hot rod or muscle car in efficiency and the low-end stereo is quite sufficient for for most people. I only wish there was performance enhancers to make it that much faster.

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  Jens review - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By J Paredes - December 23 - 10:00 am

  We went in to look at the Galant and found the basic version of this vehicle to be of similar price. We test drove it and fell in love. It is perfect for us - small but with the AWD we really need in our climate. We opted for the totally loaded version and are very pleased.

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  Lovin my Lancer OZ - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Ellen - December 22 - 11:33 am

  I have never enjoyed a car so much! This is my first brand new vehicle and well worth the cost. Although it is not expensive as far as cars go, it looks it. People are suprised when I tell them the cost. The highway pick up could be a bit better, but once it gets going, it moves. The design is pleasing to the eye. I have received many comments from strangers, young and old alike. Its a wonderful, sporty car!