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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  2001 eclipse - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Paul Smith - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Overall a nice car but it could be more reliable, I already had a few problems with mine. Ex. Something was wrong with the steering and I have to get that fixed.

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  Great Car - 2005 Mitsubishi Galant
  By X-Men - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I have bought this car for 2 months as 2nd hand and Im loving it so far. I gives me the power when ever I needed it on a highway/city and the comfort the car gives is imaginable. Great "Infinity" stereo sound system with 6CD changer.

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  Still pleased - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By res - July 21 - 2:00 am

  My wife and i bought this car with 11 miles on the odometer. Great feeling.8 years later we are almost at 60k. This car is mostly driven by my wife.We use to use for long trips and am surprised to hear people have gotten up to 30 mpg on the highway. I have seen consistent 25 mpg on highway. Anyway this is a great little car that is nimble but lacks a little power.

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  nice truck - 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By basagulo - July 19 - 10:30 pm

  I bought my 1997 Mitsubishi Montero Sport used with 8,000 miles on it back in 1997. I drove it cross country and in long trips for vacation. I also haul home improvement supplies, life rocks, and concrete in it. It is a very dependable vehicle. The power antena went out after six years and the Infinity radio went out after years years though. The leather seats are a nice touch. The engine keeps running and has not left me stranded. The suspension is truck like, this definitley is not a car based SUV. I love the look of the Montero Sport and I think most other manufacturers SUV was designed based on its looks. I have changed the radio to a CD player and the wheels to 17" to freshen its looks.

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  what? - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By parag19 - July 18 - 4:33 pm

  good...

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  2004 Outlander XLS, replaces our Spyder - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By skarst1 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  This is our third Mitsubishi and we have been very happy with all three. This has to be the best so far. It replaces a 2001 Spyder GT which was not being used. The Outlander has the power we need with the convienience of all wheel drive which comes in very handy during Pennsylvania winters. My wife is no longer afraid to drive in the snow, she now enjoys it. We dont even miss the Spyder, this is as much fun to drive. Would highly recommend this SUV. We chose this over Hondas CRV and Element

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  GREAT CAR - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By CARRIE - July 18 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS MY FIRST NEW CAR EVER. I WAS LOOKING FOR A WHILE AND I JUST LOVE THIS CAR MY HUSBAND HAS A LX LANCER WE PURCHASED 1 MONTH AGO AND I LIKED IT SO MUCH THAT I BOUGHT MY OWN LANCER AND THEIR TWINS SAME COLOR BUT I HAVE THE ES AND HE HAS THE LS

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  Great Vehicle - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By sunshyndrmr - July 16 - 10:50 pm

  What a fantastic car! I had seen the Outlander but thought it was out of my price range and moved on. After test driving the Scion Xb which I originally planned to buy, I was less impressed than I thought I would be. I wanted something or more quality not just fun. This is both! I got lucky, they had 2 07s on the lot that they were trying to get rid of, and I ended up with more options that I couldve ever afforded

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  Drum Wagon - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By kickindrummer - July 16 - 2:26 pm

  I traded in my Ranger Pick-Up to purchase this Mitsu - it had 60k miles on it when I bought it, but it was in immaculate condition. I now have 151k miles and it still looks great! Runs fantastic and have only ever had one mechanical problem (bad gaskets at the base of the spark plug, causing loss of compression.) I bought it because I needed something to haul my drums around - this thing has more cargo space than the Space Shuttle! So handling my kit (all in road cases) was no problem at all!

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  Very Tight Ride - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Happy Consumer - July 16 - 10:00 am

  This is our 2nd Mitsubishi, first was a Diamanta. Got a GT with manual tran (a must to experience the full power of the V-6) and the premium pkg. Love the sport leather seats and dashboard design. Must accept that this is a 2 person car only; back seat is way to small for anyone not in a carseat. Mitsubishi must do something about there lifters; they go bad after 70k (right after you pwr tran runs out) and your tight ride start smoking. You can count on this ask any long term owner of a Mitsubishi. Very Very Very fun to drive!