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:

• 

  Its Worth It! - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By unknown - August 14 - 9:13 pm

  This car gets outstanding mpg ( miles per gallon) for its year and Mitsubishi put in the awd 5spd turbo engine which lets the car punish the pavement. Also, because its a awd car, its a bit easier to drive during winter time because it gets better traction when all the wheels move instead of a 2wd car. This car is reliable, fast, sharp looking, and fuel efficient. This car has all the consumer needs and wants!!!

• 

  i love it - 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By john - August 14 - 4:00 am

  First I felt love by the look, but soon Ive realized its performance. I wish we could buy this car in Europe. One of the best looking car I have ever seen. More luxurious than the price tag would tell you.

• 

  We Luv It - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By argentum - August 11 - 11:16 am

  OK. So Car and Driver and Motor Trend hate this car. Consumer Reports didnt care much for it either. This fifty year old couple read the positive consumer reviews here and at CU, threw caution to the wind after test driving one, and bought it. Well, whats not to like? Aside from good looks, the Eclipse runs and rides just fine. Its way smoother and quieter than the Acura RSX-S that we just finished leasing. The five speed stick is a breeze, the ride is composed and handling is surprisingly tight. I prefer the good low end torque to high revving horsepower. Get the upgraded Rockford- Fosgate sound system. It blows away the Acura Bose.

• 

  This is a great car! - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Susan Wasyk - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I was looking at the Honda Pilot, but this offered me the same, but at a better price. The interior is very roomy, especially for those with long legs, the sound system is great and is very comfortable driving, especially on long trips. I would recommend this car to everyone.

• 

  Best car weve ever owned - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By TripJAV8R - August 8 - 5:43 pm

  I bought the Endeavor for my wife in 2004 to replace her Volkswagen Jetta. I have never been happier with a vehicle. The Endeavor has a nice ride, plenty of "get up and go" and is a comfortable ride for 4-5 adults. Plenty of cargo space for all of our stuff plus our 110 pound Lab. The only maintenance weve had to do was preventive in nature. Oil changes, replaced the tires, replaced the brakes and changed the timing belts at 100,000 miles. The vehicle now has 115,000 and still runs as well as the day we bought it. I HIGHLY recommend this vehicle to anyone who asks me about it. When it finally does give up the ghost (maybe 10 years from now) I will definitely purchase another.

• 

  I LOVE IT - 2005 Mitsubishi Galant
  By JUSTIN WASHINGTON - August 8 - 1:56 pm

  I love my Galant. The experience was wonderful when I purchased it. The interior is sporty as well as the outside. This is by far the best quality car Ive had.

• 

  The BEST 4WD - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero
  By cntrytrans - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely LOVE my Montero. It has been the best car Ive ever owned. It does awesome in the snow and ice and it climbs like a goat! I wouldnt be afraid to take it anywhere. We also own a Dodge 4WD and a Toyota 4WD but for winter driving in the columbia gorge, I always use the Montero. I feel very protected and safe in it. I have replaced the right hub assembly twice in it and also the computer board in the dash (temp gauge said it was overheating but it really wasnt). Even with those little problems, I still wouldnt trade it for any other SUV, its THAT good!

• 

  Good Vehicle- read on - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By rjb - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I was sceptical, reading bad reviews about these cars, but I must admit, after a year in the limited, I am very happy with the vehicle. I get great gas mileage for an SUV of its size (22 MPG) and it handles fairly well. Overall, I would defitely buy it again, and I have had a Isuzu Rodeo, a pathfinder and an Xterra before this one. By far the best of them all so far, the pathfinder is a close second, but the ride is best with the Montero Spt. The features of the Pathfinder are better though.

• 

  2007 Mitsubishi Outlander - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By 07XLSDiamond - August 6 - 12:20 am

  This car had nearly everything I wanted in a small to midsize SUV. I use it as my daily driver. I got the Diamond White Pearl XLS FWD model with all the bells and whistles except the DVD package. I got the navigation package with 40G hard drive, sunroof, leather, bluetooth, SIRIUS radio (Id have prefered XM), etc. The gas mileage is okay, around 21.6 average. Mitsubishi owners are also a great bunch of people, this is my second Mitsubishi; I own an Eclipse too.

• 

  Enjoying my Endeavor..... - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Greg Dabor - August 4 - 2:00 am

  I am very happy with my new Endeavor, the handling is superb. I cannot believe the fit and finish, it is perfect. I would strongly recomend this vehicle to anyone interested in a SUV.