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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  Good Performance bad fuel economy - 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By michael zeydelis - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Good Performance bad fuel economy

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  ES V6 is Excellent - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Greg02 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  I just love this car! The V6 is smooth and powerful. The seven speaker sound system sounds great. The transmission works incredibly well with little hesitation. The car looks great, too. The only thing that I dislike is that it does not have a 60/40 folding rear seat. This car is definitely a great alternative to the boring Camry and the generic Accord. I always enjoy being in the drivers seat of this car.

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  My Lighting Yellow Lancer - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Anez2 - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Im not interested in what the reviews say, because they are other cars out there like a so called "Focus" that keeps having recalls. Anyhow, I love driving my Lancer! Its like driving a family car with a little attitude, because of the yellow coloring. Of course i dont have any kids of my own, but there is more roomy seating for three car seats. Also it was affordable, I always had to look to compact cars, not anymore! My car the lighting can catch up to speed quick, I know because Ive stayed close to side of a Subaru WRX. You can either make it look like a family car or a car for show. Either way its better than the Mirage.

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  I am a noob MItsubishi owner. - 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Rusty Shackleford - February 18 - 2:48 pm

  So I just bought the 2016 Outlander ES 4WD, a few days ago. At the dealership, I test drove many vehicles including; the Jeep Compass, & the Hyundai Santa Fe. Both Vehicles had more features than my Outlander but once I drove that thing, I loved it. To me, it had the best ride feel, great price, and it feels like a larger SUV than what it really is. Mine is all black with black accented rims, so it looks sharp. Im disappointed in all the expert reviews saying this car is average because it does not come with all the latest in cabin features, but I dont need lane assistance, parking assistance, or even the heated seats. This is a fantastic SUV, extremely underrated, and great price. The one thing I do agree on with the expert reviews is the third row seating. That thing might as well not exist, because only my 4 year old can fit back there.

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  After 2 weeks and 140 miles - 2012 Mitsubishi I-MiEV
  By newb_i - February 16 - 11:21 pm

  After 2 weeks of daily driving still as satisfied as the first day I got it. Easy to park, confortable for its size, and the best... NO GAS. My recommended improvements for the i-MiEV Engineers: need to improve the noise isolation from outside, when in traffic, one can hear outside noise, with the windows closed as they were open. Thee suspension/stability maybe improved to make freeway commuting more smooth and minimize suceptibility to strong winds. Overall, I am very satisfy with the i-MiEV. I recommend it if your rutinary commute is within 50-60 miles in between charges.

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  Diamante dilema - 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By cc rides - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Great looking car - go easy on braking as they will need frequent replacement - wouldve liked heated seats for the leather (not avail in 97 model)- would like directional in the area where little tv screen - negatives include continuos trans problems in 2nd gear slipping and catching, some burning of the fluid - dealer seemed to keep doing little things to stall on replacing it- no other problems so may replace trans - also a little problem with trunk release occas not working or key in trunk not working properly when trunk has boxes in it -

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  Nice mid-life chrisis car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By vmnlogan - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, gets you noticed. I drove it in a few places where there wasnt a Mitsubishi dealership and everyone thought it was a Ferrari (think late episodes of Miami Vice). Nice low ride, excellent placement of the controls (especially on-column stereo control); using the cup holders gets in the way of shifting, second holder requires between-seat storage to be open. Spoiler can make it difficult to see behind you. Lots of fun to drive, though youll feel every bump.

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  Best car ever (under 30k) - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Subotai - February 14 - 3:40 pm

  I love my car like no other. It is fast, comfortable, fast, looks awesome and is really fast. I love this car and always will.

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  Get one if you can... - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
  By ajl - February 14 - 11:30 am

  I traded an 01 Focus ZX3 in on this car, which was a leftover 04 that the dealer was selling for $4,000 under sticker. At sticker, I probably wouldnt have bought this car, but I consider it one of the best bargains Ive ever got. My only complaints are that the gas mileage could be better, the A/C controls feel cheap, as do some other interior pieces. But Im glad I bought this car instead of a Focus wagon. Someone estimated that there are only about 3,000 of these cars in the US, so it is rather rare to spot another Sportback. My only question is long term reliability and durability, Mitsubishis seem to be hit or miss in that department.

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  2002 ES 4 cyl. - 2002 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Louisp - February 13 - 10:26 am

  Very solid car, Ive had it for 3 years now, 48K miles, and the only problems Ive had are with the brakes - be sure to get only Mitsubishi brakes, otherwise your rotors will go quick, nothing major but its worth the extra $20... Other than that a great, light, economical car. My most recent check up they could not come up with anything that they could even forsee having an issue with in the next 6 months to a year, which is always nice.