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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  Loved my 2004 so much I bought a 2007 - 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By c. morris - September 12 - 7:16 pm

  LOVE THIS CAR! Handles great and fun to drive. Never had any trouble with my 2004 or my new one. Will buy another in the future. Lou Fusz made it so simple and were very nice.

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  New Mitsu for a GM loyalist - 2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By TimmyD - September 12 - 2:33 am

  As a loyal GM owner, I have to admit when I began began researching new cars to replace our GMC Yukon, Mitsubishi was not high on our list. After a couple of weeks of searching we found that Mitsubishi had a generous factory rebate and decided to give the Endeavor a test drive. We were impressed by the handling and lively engine performance. We have two children and were concerned about interior room, since we were used to the spacious interior of our Yukon. We were pleasantly surprised when we all piled in and realized that we had plenty of room and that the large cargo area had sufficient space for our large stroller and many other "must haves" for parents. We took it home that day.

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  Trading Up... - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By fablesofthewest - September 11 - 8:20 pm

  Just traded my low mileage 2004 Spyder in on the new one - I now have the Sunset Pearlescence colored GT with the Sportstronic transmission (which lets you drive as an automatic AND/OR a five speed manual transmission). Initially I was worried about the trade as I was crazy about my 2004 Spyder. But after having the 2007 for a few days, all my concerns have been eased. The 2007 handles better, rides better, looks more like a luxury car and turns heads more than the previous style. I think Im going to be a happy camper-so far so good!

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  Stay away! - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By idl1975 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Depreciation is horribe: my car has cost me $5k MORE so far than the 99 BMW M3 I was considering, and the used BMW would have come with a _better_ warranty. The V6 cars esp. have reliability issues, including a clutch/throw-out-brg issue. Check the web owners groups to see. Mitsus warranty coverage is a joke - said owners groups are full of reports of people refused warranty repairs. Despite advertising claims, its no sports car, just a Galant with a body kit. If you must buy front-wheel-drive, try an Acura RSX. Otherwise a certified-used German sedan with a good warranty will depreciate less and deliver a lot more fun.

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  Just bought one and glad I did!! - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Sophie2 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I think it looks so classy for the price. I am pleased as punch!

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  Endeavor - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By S Cash - September 11 - 10:00 am

  As soon as I got into this vehicle to test drive, I fell in love with it. The interior design of my vehicle caught my attention first and once I fell in love with that the outside design appealed to me even more.

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  Love my Lancer! - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By khusin - September 9 - 11:43 pm

  Bought my GTS 4 months ago and i am really enjoying it! Exterior looks great, i get compliments wherever i go. It lacks a bit of power at first but fast once up to speed, and extremely fun to drive. I have taken it to a few mountain passes and driven it along the California coast and i couldnt be happier with it. The car handles very well with very good steering feel, although with the 18" stock wheels on the GTS it can be jarring at times. Rockford system sounds great and the sun roof is a plus. Plenty of room for me and three friends. My only complaint is the use of some cheap plastics on the interior which tend to rattle a little with the sub turned up. Overall tho i LOVE this car!

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  Cant wait to sell it - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Puglove - September 9 - 8:20 pm

  I bought my Eclipse new and the second week I had a tick in the engine and my exhaust rattled. The dealer had no explanation for the tick except to change the oil...did nothing. My CD changer went out in year 3. The air conditioning controls also went out...the fan works but no cold air except for #1 on the dial. I now also have some loud rubbing noise coming from the back end. When driving it sounds like something is open as you hear all road noises. When it rains something in the hatch leaks. The gas mileage is good however and this car has pep even with the air on (if the air works that is). This is my first foreign car and will be my last. Mits has made me frown on foreign.

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  Best SUV Value for the Money - 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
  By Paul S. - September 8 - 11:37 am

  I bought a used 2014 Outlander Sport ES from a private seller and could not be happier with the SUV. I wanted a 30 MPG SUV that was reliable had less than 50K miles for under $10K and the Outlander Sport is the only SUV that checked all those boxes. Many reviews will downgrade the Outlander Sport because the 2.0L engine is under powered they say, but while this SUV wont win any 0 to 60 races its has more than enough power for me and will accelerate adequately in all driving conditions. If you drive like Mario Andretti and are an aggressive driver you should look elsewhere and expect to pay more both at the dealer and at the pump. However, if you drive like a normal person you will love this SUV. It has a great ride and while this is my first vehicle with a CVT, Im very impressed with the smoothness of the transmission. Every other SUV in the Outlanders class will cost you a minimum of $2500 more to purchase used and will not be any more reliable or pleasant to drive. My only complaint is that the 2013-2016 Outlanders only come with a black interior which is murder in the south when your car sits outside in the summer time. Aside from that Im a very happy first-time Mitsubishi owner.

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  Sporty Ride, Sedan Feel - 2007 Mitsubishi Galant
  By kennydo373 - September 7 - 12:16 am

  I just got the 2007 Mitsubishi Galant ES and love the feel and ride. I feel like Im driving a sports car. It has a BMW-like feel and plenty of room, like a nice sized sedan. It is still very new, so I have to break it in. Its engine was a bit noisy at first iat slow speeds. I love the visibility and ride.