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:

• 

  Love My Mitsu! - 2004 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Anne Clarkson - February 7 - 10:00 am

  Love it, this is my second Sport and I will be back for another one when I wear this one out!

• 

  endevor - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By riverat2 - February 7 - 10:00 am

  vehicle lacks in many interior features. I owned a Montero sport that had much more interior features. I love the way endevor drives but dont think I would buy a new one for its price when I could get another brand with third seat for the same price

• 

  Awesome so far - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By kgoodsuv - February 6 - 4:23 pm

  Im a junior in high school and i drive a black 02 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. It is my second vehicle. I have always loved the look of these SUVs. I think they have an awesome bold masculine look. I feel really safe when Im driving it and its really comfortable. I drive a lot to go see family in other areas of the state for long amounts of time, and I never get a sore back or anything. Its like sitting in the lay z boy at home. The ride is not insanely smooth like a Lexus or a Lincoln, but its nothing like the Isuzu Rodeo that I test drove, which was so uncomfortable. I felt like I was riding my bike when I drove the Rodeo. Before this, I drove a 00 Civic so the gas milage is total opposite, but it is not bad for an SUV. I love it

• 

  Great Economical Choice!!! - 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
  By happydriver82 - February 4 - 3:15 pm

  Great overall car for your buck! Before purchasing I read reviews that the performance was on the slow side however its not ment to be a rocket. Realistically it is a 4cyl and still gets more then enough power to take off and if you need more you can use the manual mode to get that more reponsive take off and for passing. But thats how you are getting the most out of your gas tank. Even the standard features such as the bluetooth, paddles on steering for manual, USB are not normally in base models and Mitsubishi is giving it away! Over all great gas milage, smooth ride, roomy, which I wasnt expecting, and sporty exterior. Great Price!

• 

  WAS WORTH THE CHANCE - 2000 Mitsubishi Galant
  By RSL - February 3 - 2:00 am

  NEEDED A NEW CAR.HONDA,TOYOTA, OR GIVE THIS GALANT A SHOOT BECAUSE OF THE PRICE? HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM OF ANY KIND. BACK SEAT COULD HAVE MORE LEG ROOM, BUT WHAT THE HECK. LEASE OVER IN 8 MONTHS. I MIGHT JUST BUY THE LEASE OUT MYSELF.

• 

  Test drive - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By tomcat14 - February 3 - 2:00 am

  Rides like a car, nice interior, lots of places for storage. Did not like how break pedal works. Very soft and has to be pressed all the way down. And now comes the bad news: VERY UNDERPOWERED. Driving a 6 cyl. Maxima now, I would expect different performance from the 4 cyl. car, but 140 HP (even with highly advertised torque) just enough for this car. The engine made a noise and struggled when I tried to merge into highway from an exit. At 55mph it was hard to find extra power boost for passing other cars.

• 

  2012 Outlander GT - 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By eoddeputy1 - February 1 - 12:51 am

  Overall this is a good SUV. The exterior design is very appealing. The interior is more like a sports car cockpit. Everything is at the drivers fingertips. The MIVEC 3.0 performs very well and responds good when needed. The fuel economy seems very good for a V6.

• 

  2009 Lancer GTS - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By J-What - January 30 - 8:10 pm

  I just recently purchased a 2009 Lancer GTS loaded. Its great fun to drive extremely perky 5 speed. My only complaint is it doesnt have a leather option and the 5 speed could easily be converted into a 6 speed which would be a lot more efficient! The car is great the performance on it is extremely good for a 168 HP 4 cylinder (beat my gfs 08 mustang (its automatic)) the fuel economy is far better than what its rated at! I can draft behind a semi on the highway going about 60 and get up to 45 MPG (instant icon read 50 once or twice) but it overall is an extremely fun car to drive and I would recommend it to anyone! The car is a little heavy but it handles like a dream! No cheap feel either

• 

  Very Few Bumps in the Road - 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Hogczar - January 30 - 3:36 am

  Overall, the Mitsu is a wonderful midsize SUV. Excellent towng capacity for two Harleys on a trailer and a nice spartan interior. (If you need GPS to drive, you really shouldnt have a license) A few minor switch problems. The only major complaint is an intermitant rattle that the dealer cannot locate.

• 

  Mostly quite pleased. - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Sarah - January 30 - 3:10 am

  Have only had the car a few days, but heres my contribution. Its a gorgeous looking car, smooth ride and super quiet, hardly any road noise. Daytime running lights a nice touch. Soft, comfortable seats. I usually prefer leather but the cloth seems updated and luxurious. Very impressive stock stereo, blew my 2001 Mitsu Eclipses stereo out of the water. Bass you can feel in your chest. Unfortunately, the plastic cover over the mirror on the sun visor snapped off with barely any force, I simply flipped it up and it came off in my hands, rather disappointing. A very mature, classy, and still young looking car for a professional 21 year old woman. Overall, very pleased with the car.