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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  You can not find a better full size SUV - 2003 Mitsubishi Montero
  By charlesferman - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I test drove many other SUV during the three month period. But the montero was leader of the group with standard 4wheel drive system that come with every montero and you can beat the independent four wheel that grip the road and the montero ride very good off road and on the highway

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  Endeavor - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By eugenio - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Powerfull, beatifull, Big and solid, I am a Mitsubishi user but that is not a mitsubishi car but look very weld.

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  Awesome car but lacks something - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By RallyRed09GTS - June 11 - 6:33 am

  Mitsu could have made a winner with this lancer but have fallen short of the process. It has the looks, the killer instinct and presence that tends to say get out of the way am going through. Has all the bark but lacks some bite. Its not as slow as some people tends to believe. If it want to go fast it certainly can. It lacks acceleration though. Highly recommended for freeway driving (goes fast and gives decent MPG). Hate it on City driving (horrible MPG). Dont get me wrong, I love my car and I have it for 4 months now. Just wish Mitsu made it a little better

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  An Awsome Ride - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Noman - June 10 - 7:36 pm

  I was driving Corolla 2007. Also have driven civic. When I came here and saw the shape it was like love at first sight. However I must say it was the test drive and exterior shape due to which I bought this car. Fun to drive and very comfortable to sit in.

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  Better Than Expected - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By rod - June 10 - 4:33 am

  My 2003 Lancer was purchased used at an "auto superstore" in 03/2004 with 15,212 miles, for $9,988. It replaced my 1998 Nissan Altima which had 217,000 miles and a fantastic service record, i.e., minimal problems and great fuel economy. My expectations for the Mitsubishi were "OK" at best, I did not believe that it was in the same league as the Nissan. iIwas wrong! I am a medical courier and as of 9/20/2006 i have 200,867 miles on this little cracker-box car. I change the oil (and filter of course) about every 5,000 miles, use only regular (87 octane) gas as recommended, and change spark plugs about every 30,000 miles using only the recommended ngks (dont make the mistake I did by using other plugs).

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  A big mistake! - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By MeanGreene - June 9 - 10:30 am

  I leased a 2008 GTS in Dec 07, only to get rid of it shortly thereafter. The right front door rattled terribly and the dealership kept pretending not to hear it. They also refused to print work orders for my car. The windshield wipers went out on me in the pouring down rain for about 5 minutes on the highway during rush hour. The subwoofer in the trunk became dismounted within the first week of me having the car. Ended up getting an 08 Nissan Altima Coupe. I love it. Better quality car and comes with better customer service.

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  3rd Montero - 2004 Mitsubishi Montero
  By Vicvizual - June 5 - 4:16 pm

  Why is this my third Montero ?? Ive been around many vehicles and cannot find a better bang for my bucks, and great quality and reliability are by far its greatest features. I have never had to worry about being stranded or inconvenienced with a breakdown. Too many people have never had the experience to own a "worry-free" vehicle like this one. Many have come to believe that changing an alternator, starter, or similar unit is a common maintenance procedure (Most domestic designed vehicles). This is not so with a well-engineered such as Mitsubishis Montero. Even with delayed maintenance, the Monteros I have owned performed like new until the day I traded them in.

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  One Fine Sedan - 2006 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Gary T. - June 5 - 4:03 pm

  A week ago I purchased a 2006 Galant GTS V6 and I am loving every minute Im in it. I have only tallied 400 miles in it so far, but I am highly impressed. It has fast acceleration, quick turning, holds the road through curves, and turns like shes on rails. There is plently of room inside to give four adults plenty of room. A few improvents that I would suggest would be to heat the exterior mirrors and upgrade the interior rear mirror with the autodimming feature that it available on Mitsubishis higher end SUVs. Also, the passager side seat needs to be upgraded to a high-end power seat. Overall this is a very reliable and enjoyable car to drive.

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  Go Mitsubishi! - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Scottysnow - June 5 - 2:00 am

  After happily owning a 2002 Gallant (first Mitshubishi) that died in a car accident I Decided to try out the Outlander. After Driving the offerings from Honda and Toyota I found the overall feel, comfort and styling to be supioror to the other small SUVs. I must admit that there was some appeal to having something that is a little more "unique". I drive 35,000+ miles a year for work and I have already been on two long road trips and I have found that this is a great road trip vehicle from its powerful stereo to having a little extra space for a bicycle and such.

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  perfect small suv - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By rbc - June 5 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive, comfortable, great performance, good looking.