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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  2002 OZ Rally Edition is Great Overall - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Steven Lawson - December 22 - 10:00 am

  Great Handling Car. I took the car shortly after I bought it on a road trip through the mountains of Virginia and West VA at 70 miles an hour with no body roll and great handling. Fun car with plenty of speed for your average driver. The only thing that really needs improvement is the acceleration

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  I finally bought one - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mb1982 - December 22 - 10:00 am

  Great packaging design on the elcipse good city car, plenty of room for two poeple in the front without felling cramped, unlike the previous iteration. Love the manual/automatic trany. Great power and handling. Interior fit and finish are good, however texture of the platics bits should be upgraded for a higher quaity appearance. Also have notice parting line flash on information pod located in the center of the dash. Exterior fit and finsh are good, door and deck lid seems are even, paint quality is good little to no orange peel on the extieor pieces. Not paint variation noted between metal and plastic painted parts (I have a white eclipse).

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  Third Montero - 2005 Mitsubishi Montero
  By RallyRedEvo - December 20 - 5:30 pm

  Just traded in our 2001 Montero Ltd for a 2005 Montero. This is our third Montero (1992, 2001, 2005) Our other Monteros were so dependable we see no reason to buy anything else. Every year we road trip our vacation and the Monte is an awesome vehicle for traveling; comfortable, spacious, decent fuel mileage and room for a ton of luggage.

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  Update 10-12-06 - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By ajl - December 19 - 2:13 am

  My Lancer Sportback LS now has 63,000 mostly highway miles on it and is still going strong. Its been a much better car then my Ford Focus was, although I miss the handling from the Focus and I still prefer manual shifting. But this is a pretty good automatic and the 2.4 liter 160 hp 4-cylinder runs strong. My 89 Acura Legend was only 160 hp and it was a V6 that was 2.7 liters in displacement! A very enjoyable little wagon that has been very reliable and rather fun.

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  Great car - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By RSchopbach - December 18 - 10:00 am

  I love this car

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  LOVE THIS VEHICLE - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Trishie - December 18 - 10:00 am

  Smooth ride, easy handling, plenty of room. Great style and lots of car for the money. Its surprising there arent more of these out on the road.

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  Unexpected - 2004 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By Educator - December 16 - 5:43 am

  Bought the LS model unexpectedly last Dec, and drove 7,500 miles in 3 1/2 months, mostly mixed city driving. It is fun to drive on interstates at high speeds, I did up to 110 mph on I-15. I never considered buying it but grow to like it more and more. Nice, powerful growl when briskly accelerating, strong a/c and Infinity stereo, interior power equipment, and good day-to-day qualities.

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  Underrated - 2005 Mitsubishi Montero
  By B H - December 15 - 11:16 pm

  This is a true SUV. Seats 7 for sporty issues with kids. Reliable in snow and secure on potholes. Great service from dealer. If you are looking for something country and city without the supper horse power (gets you tickets) this is the real McCoy.

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  give it a lot of thought - 2007 Mitsubishi Raider
  By oscar mayer - December 15 - 3:32 am

  Big but not powerful. leaks when it rains front floor

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  Follow up from 2011 review / 2014 comments - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By overboost007 - December 15 - 2:28 am

  Ok my 2003 GTS Eclipse V6 currently has 119000 miles. received Duralast Gold brake pads since I purchased it and 2 oil changes Mobile 1 synthentic and thats it. Now the BAD. The Flywheel and clutch went. Replaced them at Don Herring Mitsubishi in Plano Texas Thanks JT. Then the ABS light came on. Ill go to Auto Zone and get the Code and fix it myself. So far the second best used car I have owned next to my old 1999 Honda Accord CPE V6. AGAIN I do not race. The only upgrade is an INJEN Intake system. Hopefully I can trade it in next year for a 2011 Dodge Charger or challenger. But my 2003 MITS GTS is one of the best reliable used cars you can buy hands down.