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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  My 2002 Galant - 2002 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Claren Megow - April 25 - 12:46 am

  I love my Galant. I bought mine three years ago. I bought it used so there were some things that need to be replaced. It ran excellent the day I bought and continues to run great. I did have to take it to the shop to clean out the A/C filter. The heating coil is broken so there is no heat in the car, but where I lived that was not a major problem. I do want to get it replaced now that I have moved to a different state. But overall this is a great car.

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  OK , for now... - 1999 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Manual Shifter - April 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for a little over 3yrs and slapped on 46k miles. Major gripes: perpetual tire/wheel issues: requires regular rotor smoothing; uncomfortable seats for medium/long trips; "adaptive" transmission - One minute you actually feel like theres almost 200bhp under the hood, next you have a Geo Metro. The dealer informed me that it gets "confused". Clearly a very technical evaluation of the problem. My trick, which will likley cost me later, is to manually shift into 3rd or 2nd at a suitable speed. Its average car with nice styling and a better than average engine for the price. Ill be keeping it for a while longer.

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  Superb Mileage and Performance for Daily Commute. - 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
  By cvs - April 22 - 9:05 pm

  I went to dealer on 30 december and trade in my Prius immediately. I was totally happy with the purchase and it has 5 braking modes which can stop the car by itself. It has three driving mode and if you are confused then dont select anything and the computer will do its job way better. The instant pickup is great (not like sports car). The mileage is good and it has better isulation and you dont see any road noise inside the cabin. I handles better in the corner and i am driving daily i am liking more and more. Keep in mind it is regular SUV and for daily commute. I go 20 miles one way daily.

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  Awesome Car - 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By FOSGATE - April 20 - 6:03 pm

  I just got the car its an 08 GT brand spanking new and where in 2010. I was skeptic at first but when I test drove the thing damn that thing hauls. Im glad I got that Eclipse GT. Def get the GT V6 not the 4 banger cause then youll be missing out on all the fun. The cars got speed its quick and peels out which to me is a good thing lol. You just gotta know how to drive it if you dont want it peeling out when you need it. The exhaust and engine sound good too and the rims are nice. Def. great car to buy

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  Best midsize suv - 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Bear - April 19 - 6:53 pm

  I test drove a lot of midsize suvs before deciding on the endeavor. I had a 2004 Tahoe z71 and traded it because I wanted better gas mileage and a better warranty. This vehicle is so nice to drive, feels stable, great gas mileage, my kids and all their gear fits comfortably in this car. And it can tow our four wheelers without a problem. The sound system is awesome with the subwoofer. By far better than the others for the price. We got the dvd system and the kids love it when we are on road trips. Great investment.

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  2003 Diamante vs. 1998 Diamante - 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By kat - April 18 - 8:33 pm

  This is my second Diamante. Also own a 1998. When comparing the 2003 to 1998, Mitsubishi has cheapened up on the interior. Lower quality leather & poorer sounding stereo. Problems with highway driving when tractor trailers are in front of me. The front end tends to shift back and forth as if there are aerodynamics & traction control issues. Electrical system does crazy things. For example, doors lock by themselves. I say, stick with the older models. They are more comfortable and give a better ride. More like what you would expect for a $30,000 car.

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  03 Galant V6 - Excellent Car All Around - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By platinum - April 17 - 8:50 pm

  I bought my 2003 Mitsubishi Galant ES V6 in April of 04 with 3,200 miles on it and driven about 2,000 miles a month every month since then (School 75 mls away & Work is 20) with a current 62,500 miles. To say the least, the car is EXCELLENT. Fast, comfy, reliable, and strong! The tires lasted 60,000 miles, brakes are still original and make absolutely no noise. Its engine, tranny, suspension, all lighting, and electrical are perfect and the interior is still perfect. The 3.0L 195HP V6 engine is AWESOME. It has quick acceleration and needed no maintenence. This car also has a nice, clear stereo. I average 22-25 mpg. It has a very smooth ride even on rough roads and a very low noise level on the highway. The galant is a very impressive vehicle, especially for the push its been given.

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  02 montero - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
  By geob - April 17 - 2:00 am

  overall great vehicle. roadside assistance! dealer network the most customer oriented ive ever dealt with

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  Quality Vehicle - 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Richard - April 16 - 1:10 pm

  We bought our new 05 Endeavor AWD in Jan 2006. I added factory fog lights, rear mudflaps. All the parts were ordered by the dealer and were installed without any trouble. We have 39k on the SUV now and have had Zero problems. Our dealer is Lees Summit Mitsubishi. They have done a really nice job of taking care of our vehicle. Most of our mileage is in town family and grocery hauling. The vehicle does everything that we want it to do. We average about 18 mpg. On the highway about 20/21. I am about ready to buy new tires as the stock tires are almost gone now. We dont miss the 3rd row seat as we seldom haul more than four people.

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  Head Turner - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By D Storm - April 15 - 1:26 pm

  The first thing I can say is while sitting at a red light in my new Eclipse a guy in a new Corvette pulled up beside me, is all smiles and says hey nice car! The new styling is great. The power that the GS 5M delivers is incredible for a 4-cylinder. So they have it governed at a top speed of around 122 mph! It handles incredibly; the purr of the exhaust can be heard throughout your drive. If you love to drive and love to have a little bit of attention I recommend buying it.