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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  Not bad, but nothing to write home about - 2002 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By MG1 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car when it was 8 months old fo a very decent price. Its good basic transportation but nothing more. It will get you to work and back with no major drama. Once it gets up to speed, it isnt bad, but it is very slow off the line. So slow, it can be dangerous. Drive it until it dies, because it has no resale value. Quality of materials is very cheap. I see 2-3 year old Mirages with the paint peeling off or very faded. I wax mine 3 times/year and so far I am lucky.

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  Mitsu 2008 Multiple Problems - 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By notime - February 20 - 8:50 am

  I purchased a 2008 SE Outlander about a month ago (new) and it has been in service for 16 days out of about a month. Driving it gives me a headache and my clothes absorb an "odor" (been ionized 2 times in service no change), steering wheel noises with right and left turns, other things but the big one is I need a new transmission which I am now waiting for (for a new car!). I feel like there are so many things going on with this SUV that I wonder where it was before I bought it. Never had a NEW SUV with so many problems. Services has not been good either I picked my SUV up yesterday waiting for the tranny and all the other problems still exist.

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  Worst Car Experience in my life! - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By mrglenn76 - February 16 - 8:02 pm

  I bought the 2004 Galant six years ago and have had nothing but costly issues with this car. For one, the parts are usually very expensive and most shops will not have them on hand. For special parts you have to order them from Japan and can only order on Tue and Thursdays and it takes about a week to get them in. The major issue of all the issues I have had is with the brakes. Have had 5 brake jobs in the last year and a half. Have had the belt break, the power steering pump go out, had to get the alignment done several times and now I am having an issue either shocks are blown or sway bar link needs replacement. The car looks nice, but it has been a NIGHTMARE!!

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  My last Mitsubishi - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By GrayVA - February 13 - 3:10 pm

  I loved it at first. But took it in for several problems. Front strut was collapsed (covered under ext. warranty), inter. exhaust pipe baffles broken (part $1,400, labor $200), rear liftgate rattles terribly, visor mirror broke, handle fell off sunroof visor, console lid broke and much more. This vehicle has only 45,000 miles. What a piece of junk. I have to pay for exhaust repairs. I have always owned Mitsubishis but this will be my last.

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  HORRIBLE - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Jacobo - January 27 - 10:00 am

  TOO MANY WARRANTY REPAIRS ALREADY. TOO MANY FACTORY DEFECTS BEFORE 6000 MILES

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  Mitsubish Eclipse - 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Janice Kahn - January 23 - 7:26 pm

  This car was listed as an automatic but its a stick shift. It made a horrible noise when I was driving it and the salesman said theyd have the shop look at it. Although listed with blue tooth, there is no blue tooth. Although listed with a sun roof, there was no sun roof. The stick shifts numbers were all rubbed off. The salesman suggested I write them back on. The car looked well enough cosmetically. Just minor dings and scratches. It was just ok, nothing special. The price was listed at one price and I was going to buy it buy they added on over $2000. for I dont remember what. Bringing the price well over the original price. When I told them that the price was listed much lower they gave me excuses but refused to lower it so I passed on it. As I told them, it was a stick shift, when I wanted automatic, there was no blue tooth, so Id have to change out the radio. And the car was nothing special to purchase it at the price they wanted. So I passed.

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  Montero XLS - 4WD - 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Jarule - January 19 - 10:00 am

  I have experienced some issues with wind noise and the transmission is sort of acting funny. The transmission sort of gives a "kick" when going into high gear. Otherwise, cool SUV.

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  Montero XLS - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Jarule - January 19 - 10:00 am

  As soon as I left the dealership, Ive noticed some issues with my SUV. Terrible wind noise. After several complaints and trips to the dealership, Mitsubishi sent out a rep to inspect my ride. He adjusted the racks but no major improvement. Final verdict - poor vehicle design. Oh, something else, the transmission is sort of whack. It jumps before reaching 75 MPH

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  Love hate relationship - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By yuuuup - December 31 - 2:32 pm

  bought it in 2008 with 39,000 mi., now has 160,000. A/C was clogged twice, heater door became stuck, and thats about it. I ride this bitch like a beast at an AVERAGE 80 mph on the freeway. The biggest issues are the maintenance issues that arise, such as the recurrence of misfires which can potentially damage your catalytic converter if not assessed ($900). This car is tough like a honda and can potentially be just as reliable at the cost of good maintenance. change the timing belt every 50-60 k miles. change the tran fluid every 40 k miles MAX! Make sure you put in luxury fluids, like amzoil, and mobil one. on my benefit, i bough it used with nearly new miles. used with high miles is iffy.

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  Stay Away From Mitsubishi - 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Outlander Buyer - December 29 - 8:40 pm

  I just bought 2010 Outlander XLS in one week and drove in 5 times, the air conditioner stopped working. There is leaking! Such quality.