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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  Never again - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By PJ - March 4 - 4:53 pm

  The most uncomfortable and most underpowered vehicle I have ever owned. Center console might as well be a concrete block. Paint quality is ridiculously poor; and need we even discuss engine power? Or rather lack thereof. While the mileage of the V4 is nice; having a V6 would be much better. Hindsight is 20/20 and I should never have bought this vehicle. From about day 5 of ownership I tried to get rid of it. Found some other sucker to buy it; never again will I own a Mitsubishi - stick to televisions.

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  Galiant Galant - 2000 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Nsdqmstr - March 4 - 10:00 am

  My other car is a Mitsubishi 3000GT - So the inherent ride quality of the Galant is a little cushy as I sometimes take corners as if Im in the three thou. There are many great things to list - Picking one, Id say the styling vs. price ratio. From certain angles (grill excluded) youd think it was a BMW! I like that.

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  I love it - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By HaRlEy - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I have wanted one for like 2 years and I finally went out and got one and I LOVE IT

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  Garbage - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Ghostman - March 2 - 3:16 pm

  Got this car for my girl from the El Cajon dealership, first mistake. Paid too much for it and the people at dealership are chumps and dont know anything. ECM died a few months after we bought it thankfully it was under warranty. Dashboard WILL eventually crack due to cheap thin plastic, paint is fading fast(car is 2001!)bottom weather strip came off back window, shocks dont work well for the glass hatch. Other then that it looks alright and drives smooth and quick. For a car with under 60k and the price we paid there should be way less problems.

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  Love my Montero - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
  By momof3 - March 2 - 6:13 am

  I have owned my Montero XLS for 6 years and I have never regretted my purchase. Today I have 3 kids currently in car seats and my oldest (age 6) sits in the 3rd row. Because the car seats in the 2nd row stay there permanently I let my son in and out using the rear door which has never been an issue. I love all the space especially the tall roof. It is perfect for my husband who is over 6 ft tall. He borrowed my truck today and as I admired it as it drive off I thought "Wow-I still love my truck!" It has 96000 miles on it and I have never had any mechanical problems ever! It has good pick up, it is a quiet ride, and has tons of storage when the third row is tucked away. I love it!

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  Best value I have found - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Teclarosa - February 28 - 2:50 pm

  I could not have found a better deal than the one that I got on my Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Its power lacks a little, but it drives like a well, not like an SUV, and its a small SUV thats easy to park but still has room for my luggage, supplies and a sound system for my gigs. Ive had no major and almost no minor mechanical or electrical problems. The interior is very comfortable, even the seats on the 10-hour vacation drives. HINT: look for a program (rented) model if you can find one in good condition - mine was 1yr old & had 13,000 miles on it for $21,000. My long-time mechanic says it should last me another 6-8 years if I want it to.

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  ron montero - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
  By ronlin - February 28 - 10:00 am

  great suv , plenty of room, power, greatr visibility from within, huge sun roof, third roe seat is good for separating the kids

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  Fun small car - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By kadielle - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my Lancer as a small car. The exhaust valve had to be replaced after a year and a half, but it was still running great and the service engine light came on to indicate a problem. I love the turning radius. 2 adults can fit comfortably in the back seat for several hours. Great road trip car except the trunk is kinda small.

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  Sporty performance, really fun to drive - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By dfk - February 28 - 10:00 am

  For the money, the Mitsubishi Eclipse GT is it. The style, the washboard ribbed doors make the Eclipse a stand out attraction. Moreover, the throaty engine and and the feel of the acceleration make this car a pleasure to drive. Driving this car down to the Maryland shore and riding the Coastal Highway with the moonroof open, was the turning point that proved to me that this car was indeed, a sporty touring machine.

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  Affordable Fun - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By mrdurbin - February 28 - 10:00 am

  i wanted a fun car and the Eclipse is it. I opted for the GTS because of the ABS and 10 extra HP. The Eclipse is one of the easiest cars to tune next to a Honda Civic but you get around 40 to 60 more Hp from the Eclipse compared to the honda for just a bit more money. I have a AEM cold air intake and a Magnaflow exhaust, Upgraded wire kit and wire ground kit. That is all you need to do to these cars to make them scream. for about 600.00 in after market mods i gained a conservative 20 - 25% HP easily. i also upgraded my tires and rims and went with 19X8 ASA 5 spoke rims and Yokahama Parada Spec 2 tires.