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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  Unsatisfied - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By outout - May 13 - 9:33 pm

  My 07 Outlander has excessive wind-noise...the worst I have seen in any vehicle. The wind noise just gushes inside the cabin. I just keep wondering how Mitsubishi spoiled an otherwise great vehicle with nice value and features, because they did not take care of small things like proper cabin insulation.

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  Popular Cars - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Andrew Baxster - May 11 - 2:00 am

  I do not like popular cars that everyone is driving such as the Accord or the Camry. I tested other cars such as the Mazda6, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima and VW Passat. Of all the cars I tested, the Galant proved to be the best built car out of the bunch. It has power like no other midsize and feels very refined. The car drives verey nice and looks decent.

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  Very Pleased - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By wagales - May 11 - 2:00 am

  I was very impressed with the new look of the Galant online, and even liked it better in person. Interior is much roomier than my 2000 Galant was, and styling, both in and out is excellent. You can actually read the gauges through the steering wheel. Trunk is large and has a passthru area for long stuff. Iwas somewhat aprehensive about the 4 cylinder, but it;s peppy on the Interstate with plenty of passing power. Ride is stiff and sporty, but this will probally soften a bit like my 2000 did. Very impressed and very happy.

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  All I Need - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By MostlyCinical - May 11 - 2:00 am

  After driving for a year, it has lived up to my high expectations. I read the reviews of "not enough power," but waited until I drove it to form my own opinion. The clutchless manual gives the passing and highway entrance you want. I the automatic mode is tuned nicely to the engines power. The ride is beautiful. Take it on some windy country roads and go hard into the turns and itll make you smile. Tell your back seat passengers to recline and theyll smile. I found the Infinity stereo to be OK, I had to turn the bass down or it would distort. No mechanical or body probs. Great entrance and exit height. Range is 300 miles between fill-ups.

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  Comfortable driving with some fun - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By vadim_st - May 10 - 10:00 am

  It is a mild, comfortable car for individual or small-family everyday transportation. The trunk takes a lot of luggage. My 4-cyl. engine is noisier and hotter than I would expect from a new car, but delivers smooth power sufficient to move around. Drivers seat needs to provide more support.

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  Nice, but watch the paint! - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By deligreen - May 10 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased my OZ a few weeks ago. The cosmetic problems have been associated with the side skirts. The passenger side is not flush and needed to be replaced, and the top corners of both have to be repainted already. The paint on the skirts is already chipping. The radiator needed to be replaced because it was slowly leakingfluid. The only other problem, is that I find that the gears will grind everyonce in awhile even with the clutch all the way depressed. I think this may be just because of a new transmition.

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  2003 Lancer ES - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By John - May 6 - 8:46 pm

  This car is somewhat fun to drive. However, just pray that nothing goes wrong. Even a minor problem can be very expensive to fix. The reason is the car is constructed in modules, like a lego set. If one little piece of the module breaks, you have to replace the whole thing. For example, the plastic door on the heating duct got warped. (This is a small plastic piece that moves to switch you from cool air to hot air.) Cost to fix: $3000 because the entire heating/air conditioning module had to be replaced. My mechanic told me the same problem would have cost $100 to fix on a Honda.

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  Love the car-Hate the dealership - 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
  By Candy - May 6 - 11:11 am

  I purchased my 2015 Outlander Sport at the end of 2015. 2 months after I bought it, I received a recall notice, so I made an appointment with the dealership for Saturday Morning which is about 25 minutes away. To my surprise when I got there the dealership had closed down. No letter no phone just puff gone. Trip made for nothing. Called Mitsubishi and the closes dealership to me is 2 1/2 hours away and they dont do Saturdays. Miss a days work because they have a recall. I am not happy. To bad too I love my car but will not purchase again because of the dealerships. Oh one more thing had a road trip and after a while the front seats were not comfortable. Had to sat on a pillow.

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  maybe mine is a lemon? - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By torielynn - May 5 - 7:18 am

  I have had this eclipse for a year now and not a month goes by with out me having to fix something. This is my second Eclipse I had a 99 RS model before this and i loved it! it was my first car and it lasted for 210,000 miles. However this Eclipse is terrible in comparison. it sounds like a diesel truck and no one can tell me why, my seat belts stopped working, i had to replace my o2 and knock sensor, water pump, thermostat twice, it vibrates like crazy and it just hit 100,000 miles. when i got my old eclipse it alredy had 111,000 on it and i never had these problems. if you want an eclipse go with an older model because the 03 sucks.

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  I love this car - 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By ChardonnayBee - April 30 - 6:03 pm

  I have had this car for awhile now and I absolutely LOVE it! Its just the right size for me and its really fun to drive!