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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  Mitsu 2008 Multiple Problems - 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By notime - February 20 - 8:50 am

  I purchased a 2008 SE Outlander about a month ago (new) and it has been in service for 16 days out of about a month. Driving it gives me a headache and my clothes absorb an "odor" (been ionized 2 times in service no change), steering wheel noises with right and left turns, other things but the big one is I need a new transmission which I am now waiting for (for a new car!). I feel like there are so many things going on with this SUV that I wonder where it was before I bought it. Never had a NEW SUV with so many problems. Services has not been good either I picked my SUV up yesterday waiting for the tranny and all the other problems still exist.

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  my new Mitsubishi - 2005 Mitsubishi Montero
  By robert - February 20 - 6:53 am

  When driving my new Montero from Michigan to Florida and back I was able to find a lot of new reasons to like my new SUV. The head rest you can easily lean back on, the 7 disks of music I had loaded, the automatic air control for front and for back. The leather heated seats is awesome in the winter and the sunroof is immense in the summer. The ride is so smooth over the pothole and ruts of northern roads as well as easy over off road conditions. Power everything! All the other joys I have yet to discover.

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  Eclipse GT - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Tim Allen - February 20 - 4:10 am

  The torque steer is pretty severe and the handling is a bit soft. The engine and transmission are exceptional.

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  All-Around Performer - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Cuffy - February 19 - 6:16 pm

  Had the Outtie for a month now and like it more everyday. Fun to drive, looks great, handles nicely, fits our needs well, is extremely comfortable for 3-4 hr trips, and consistently gets 20-22 mpg in mixed 4WD auto mode driving. What more could you ask for in a CUV? Selectable 4WD, heated leather seats, moonroof, hard-disk 650 watt music server and navi system, auto-leveling HID headlights, v6 w/paddle shifting 6-speed semi-auto, roof rails, 3rd row jump seat, fold down tailgate, Bluetooth, more safety features than most luxury cars, and 18" wheels. Lets see any other manufacturer do that for under $30K.

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  Good Mom Mobile - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By ivan - February 18 - 4:10 am

  For the price its great. My suggestion is to splurge and get the XLS with all the options. You will wish you had if you dont. Great mom car, better and much more style then a mini van. Handles well and has a safe feel.

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  Worst Car Experience in my life! - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By mrglenn76 - February 16 - 8:02 pm

  I bought the 2004 Galant six years ago and have had nothing but costly issues with this car. For one, the parts are usually very expensive and most shops will not have them on hand. For special parts you have to order them from Japan and can only order on Tue and Thursdays and it takes about a week to get them in. The major issue of all the issues I have had is with the brakes. Have had 5 brake jobs in the last year and a half. Have had the belt break, the power steering pump go out, had to get the alignment done several times and now I am having an issue either shocks are blown or sway bar link needs replacement. The car looks nice, but it has been a NIGHTMARE!!

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  Hope it lasts as long as my Explorer! - 2008 Mitsubishi Galant
  By jinsan - February 16 - 4:50 pm

  I recently purchased my 08 Galant with 30k miles and have now put 2k on it. I just hope that it lasts as long as my 02 Explorer (152k trouble free miles). I drive 20k miles per year, mostly commuting to work and 95% highway. So far, I must say that this car rides and handles well...has plenty of power and is VERY quiet! I am pleasantly surprised with Mitsus build quality and hope to drive this car for 150k+ miles! Waiting to see how it handles in the snow!!!

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  a great bang for your buck - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By wolfcry - February 16 - 10:10 am

  Ive had this for a year now, bought it used with about 130k miles. Very few issues with this car... Ive mostly just had to do the regular oil changes, but Ive also had to change a power window motor and rail, tie rod ends. Gotta change the bushings on the control arms later, and replace the window tint since its kinda messed up right now; not saying that all Lancers gotta change their window tint, mine was bought with some small defects in the all of the window tint...

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  Likes & Dislikes Eclipse 08 2.4 auto - 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mamiya - February 16 - 12:36 am

  500 miles so far, like looks, handling, fosgate sound, tires, int looks, DISLIKE noisy engine and interior like theres no sound dampening, maybe thats why they offer the 650 watt stereo! Hate the fact that if you get a flat you cant use flatfix, it will screw up the tire sensors!, and the key thing with the electronic code, its like they want you to call for help!

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  Look at something else - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Larry - February 14 - 4:30 pm

  Bought this car thinking it would be a good median for everything, I was wrong. I have had the car for 6 months and its been in the dealership 5 times (3 for problems). Most noteably is an engine rattle that seems to come and go. The car sounds like a 12 year old Buick. This was a sad regrettable purchase. Just about everything else in the car rattles to, and I have babied the car...