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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  Endeavor - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Sheena - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Great handling vehicle. Roomy interior. Excellent Astetics.

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  Love this Car! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By sbaggerly - August 5 - 3:13 am

  Ive had my Eclipse for about a year. I bought this car used with 30,000 miles. I have wanted one of these vehicles for years, and I am loving it. Yes, there are terrible blind spots, but not a problem in you use all three of your mirrors and stay aware of the road. My main complaint is the already mentioned turn radius, which is practically nothing. I would definitely recommend the V6 GTS. I drove a 4-cyl. and it had no pickup, with the weight of this car. My car is totally "zippy" and I have had so many compliments on the looks. I have had absolutely no problems with it, and wouldnt trade it for the world!

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  Happy Consumer - 2005 Mitsubishi Montero
  By gary krupnick - August 4 - 7:00 am

  This is our fifth Mitsubishi Montero and the reliability and value are the best out there, we have owned most of the competition and they generally dont compare in all respects

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  Love it!! Love it!! Love it!! - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Socialdoc - August 4 - 1:06 am

  I will never make fun of a heated leather seat again, I cant live without them! I keep warm and they are easy to clean up after the dog has been in the car with her muddy paws! Sporty, clean look, fun to drive, easy to maintain! And not bad at all on gas & I drive all over town! And I got a heck of a deal( New ) and will buy this model again! I strongly suggest it to you! You cant go wrong! And it kinda looks like the Lexus SUV, hehehe!

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  DONT BUY IF IN SNOWY STATES - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By winter wonderland - August 3 - 11:40 am

  I love my new Lancer but there are flaws that i have noticed. Because i live in Maine we sand and salt the roads in the winter. This sand and salt has been chipping away at my paint. It is chipping off in front of my rear tires. Much of the paint is worn off and because it is the design and paint is not under warranty i have to fight and i dont think i will win. I did buy Mud guard prior to all the paint chipping, but the mud guards only drop like and inch. In snow storms it STINKS the tires dont grip i think it is because there is not a lot of weight but. The seats are hard and the arm rest is half the size that i am use to. i have realized that the car kinda jerks when you go up a hill anyrpm

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  What a Car!!! - 1999 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Jamie - August 3 - 8:20 am

  What a car!!!! 150,000 miles and still going strong. Oil changes and gas are the biggest expenses. The interior is still great.

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  A Fun car to drive - 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By wranglerman59 - August 2 - 10:43 pm

  Purchased new in Sept. 06, after shopping all the others, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, etc... we picked the Lancer. There is plenty of room for the driver, Im 64". Will carry 4 adults and luggage. Handles great, good performance, for a 4 dr sedan. Very comfortable for short or long drives (took a 7 day 4k mile trip) gets 25-30 mpg around town and 29-36 hwy. have over 98k miles and still runs great, with only oil changes, tires and timing belt replaced, still has factory brakes! one of the best if not the best car I have every owned/driven (have owned 36 cars/trucks)

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  ralliart wagon - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By 2fastdogs - August 2 - 10:00 am

  very agile and easy to drive. ample room for 5 adults. with the rear seats folded down gives me plenty of room for my two greyhounds. the motor is very responsive even with an automatic.

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  Fabulous Car, Fully Recommended - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By MissBunny - August 1 - 4:10 pm

  I have wanted a Mitsubishi Eclipse since I was 11 years old believe it or not! When I finally bought my Eclipse GTS in I was ecstatic to find that it was everything I hoped for and then some! It has a beautiful, classy, and sporty look, it drives wonderfully on the freeway and city and it has great get-up-and-go! I mean you can really feel the power behind that pedal! It has a pretty rad stock infinity sound system with a 6 disc changer. It has a very comfortable front seat with leather power seats/windows. And the sunroof is a must have! The only thing I dont like is its turning radius is awful. All in all I love the car, it actually makes me want to drive for no reason, just to drive!

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  Rompn Monty - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero
  By Rompn Monty - July 29 - 2:00 am

  After 36k miles and 1.5 years of ownership, all I can say is that I am glad I chose the Montero. The dealer did replace the moulding on the drivers side passenger door (the drivers door was pinching the moulding). The brakes have a tendancy to "glaze" after 6k miles. When the brakes are clean, this thing can stop like it ran over super glue. An inherent problem with every Monty (new body) is that there is a whirle/rattle sound from under the car when you are stopped and the car is in park. The dealer thought it was a rock guard. It turns out that it was some pulley tension mechanism in the engine that they are going to replace.