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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  An underestimated beauty - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By gt_turbo - April 24 - 6:16 am

  I bought this car when I graduated high school, and have loved every minute of it! The aggressive stance and throaty exhaust note were two of the first things that attracted me to it. That, and all the looks I got from people when I would pull up to a store. Now while I have added to it (custom cold air intake, short throw shift kit, lowering kit, custom cat- back exhaust, and after market wheels and tires) the car has needed little work to make it a blast to drive.

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  Awesome Truck! - 2007 Mitsubishi Raider
  By Jennelle - April 24 - 4:10 am

  Ive owned my 2007 Raider since Jan of 07. I love it, trans. a little rough, brakes a little shaky. Those are my only complaints, oh and fuel mileage. For the price and having it loaded with extras I cant complain too much. I compare it to Toyota as thats all I would own other than Mits. for truck purposes.

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  awsome car - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By matmilo - April 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is sweet, I love it. It rides nice and has lots of power.

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  Great Vehicle - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By d-rab - April 22 - 2:00 am

  I love our new Outlander. Everything about it is great including the price. My only request is that it had a V6. It has plenty of power with the 4 cylinder but I am a big horsepower kind of guy. It is still great without it, but it would be just that much better with it.

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  Proud Owner - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Hallie - April 20 - 7:10 pm

  I just purchased my first brand new car and am very happy with my choice. The GTS has everything that I would want in a car!

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  Packed with features, and a blast to drive - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By aggropa - April 19 - 12:08 pm

  I spent probably a few hundred hours researching SUVs, and decided the Mitsubishi is tops for value, reliability, looks, and options. I originally wanted an Endeavor (also an excellent vehicle), but found a really great deal on my 07 Outlander. Ive only had it for less than a month, but this SUV is so much fun to drive, and surprises me constantly. I keep finding great features (see below). Engine sounds an looks great, build seems solid, great look, and an awesome value (especially used).

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  My Mirage - 2002 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By Alip - April 17 - 10:00 am

  very reliable and an excellent design for a coupe type but the engine needed an extra additional boost to make-it powerful on the road among it class.

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  Sharp looking, great performance - 2000 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By WtbyCT - April 16 - 1:33 am

  I got my 2000 LS in 2003 to replace the 1993 Grand Am that my parents gave me as a first car. For the first two years that I owned it I drove the socks off the thing but it easily took the abuse of a 17 year old guy and his friends. Once I got into college I took more interest in the car since I knew I needed a car that would last me into the beginning of my career. With a nice wash and wax, this car gets me compliments everywhere I go. Take care of this car and it will take care of you. On the highway I find the acceleration to be amazing between 60-80 and I can hang with most Euro cars and blow the socks off the other JP cars. Only prob is at 60,000 mi its going to be $1100+ service

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  The 1999 Mitsubishi Galant - 1999 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Matt - April 7 - 6:30 pm

  I bought my 1999 Galant in August of 2005 and have loved it ever since. It is fun to drive and handles very well. The exterior styling of the car looks great. The interior is nice and clean. The car is reliable and I have had no problems with it.

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  Love My Lancer SE - 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Tim - April 5 - 10:13 am

  Being a former Kia owner I was shopping for a new Kia, but found a great deal on a Lancer SE. It was a great decision! It rides great, has all the options I wanted, and gets good gas mileage. Although the Edmunds.com review cites poor acceleration as a drawback, they must have tested an automatic, I think my five speed is pretty peppy.