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:

• 

  The best car ever made! - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Me - February 14 - 3:53 pm

  I have had several cars in my days American and imports. And by far this is my favorite. Im a Tech for VW so i know my cars very well. you cant beat an All Wheel Drive turbo car with a manual trans. its so much fun, its so reliable and its one of the nicest looking cars ever made. from the mean look of the front end to the wing (spoiler) in the back. its so easy to squeeze out 350 hp or even more out of this car and cheap too. All in all i think this car is by far one of the best still out there 2008.

• 

  Great Montero Sport - 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Walt Stewart - February 14 - 3:36 am

  What else can I say, I have been very pleased with this vehicle to date.

• 

  My last Mitsubishi - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By GrayVA - February 13 - 3:10 pm

  I loved it at first. But took it in for several problems. Front strut was collapsed (covered under ext. warranty), inter. exhaust pipe baffles broken (part $1,400, labor $200), rear liftgate rattles terribly, visor mirror broke, handle fell off sunroof visor, console lid broke and much more. This vehicle has only 45,000 miles. What a piece of junk. I have to pay for exhaust repairs. I have always owned Mitsubishis but this will be my last.

• 

  Mitsubishis best car ever! - 2002 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By Nick10923 - February 13 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car with the fuel effieciency of a Honda Civic performance just like any other car if not better (it only weighs a ton, exactly). Mine is a 1994 with 130,000 miles still great except brake light keeps on coming up for no reason now. I would like to note that this is my fathers car soon to be mine and he drives it really hard hes kind of a reckles driver. He pushes this car to the limits and beets most cars on the limit line at an green light.

• 

  EXCELLENT!!!! - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By bkey79 - February 13 - 2:00 am

  We bought the car Dec 26th and already have put close to 2000 mi on it! Very fun to drive, and handles very well! The gas mileage is getting better with every fill up!

• 

  150K+ and still going - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By WH - February 12 - 9:23 am

  I bought my Montero Sport back in October of 2001 with 50 miles on it. As a member of the military, I have taken this SUV as far west as the Pacific Ocean and as far east as the city of Atlanta, GA. Any maintenance Ive had done on the vehicle was all based on wear and tear. Nothing failed until I was well over 100K miles. I love the vehicle and kind of hate that Mitsubishi did away it.

• 

  Amazing vehicle - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By sedanfanman - February 11 - 7:11 pm

  I bought my 2009 Mitsu Lancer ES back in July 2009 and 70K+ miles later, I still love it! I looked at similar vehicles while shopping but fell in love with the handling, performance, and value of this car. Ive taken very good care of it and havent had a single engine problem. My one complaint is the paint. Due to a design flaw there is an unusual amount of paint wear on the side skirts near the rear wheels. Countless chips all over the hood (which, yes, happens. But there is a lot more than normal). One time, while washing the car, I was scrubbing off a dead bug and a decent size paint chip came off with it! That should not happen! Regardless, Id still recommend this car to everyone!

• 

  Happy overall - 2005 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Tommy - February 11 - 11:06 am

  I can fit all three car seats in the back and still have room in between to buckle the buckels, and still can shut the doors with out hitting or bumping any of the car seats. It gets up and goes when you need to get out of the way of anything. Great gas mileage when you are traveling...but not around town. It is very sturdy and feels safe. The sensor for the airbag in the passager seat is great, since I do have little ones that sometimes have to sit in that seat.

• 

  My Ruby - 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Mandy - February 9 - 10:30 am

  These SUVs are for the people that want a SUV but feel comfort in driving a car. This vehicle is really nice and it is roomy. I had 3 children in the back seat and they still had plenty of room even with all of them in carseats. Definitely recommend to someone that is looking for an SUV.

• 

  HONESTLY - 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By pA TEL - February 8 - 10:00 am

  i wouldnt buy it brand new. i think its the best used car to buy because of its resale value. i bought mine 97 diamante for 10k [only 50k miles on it]. if you can find a better value than that let me know! i sounds great when you step on it. i do wish it had stronger brakes. i love the transmission it adjusts to drivers driving habits its kind of cool. its one of the best looking cars [like all mitsus]