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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  What a car. - 1996 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Whitey92 - November 19 - 10:00 am

  Ill tell ya this is my first car and it has given me no major problems. I got it around 70,000 miles, and it purrs. Only problem at 75,000 miles on cold winter night altenator belt snapped while on highway, got home safely battery was drained but only problem. Fast car has got some sack if you know what I mean. Handles amazingly.

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  Galant offers pleasing alternative - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Mike Smith - November 16 - 11:16 am

  I have had my Galant for a little over a year. The car is absolutely beautiful and very fun to drive. I have put about 17500 miles on it as of this writing and the vehicle has held up great. The gas milage is good. The front seating could be a little bigger and the road noise can be a bit loud at times. Overall Id recommend this car to anyone considering a Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry but doesnt want to pay extra money for a label.

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  These are awesome! - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
  By Rick - November 15 - 3:03 pm

  Hi folks! These Monteros are really great SUVs! They are very stylish. We put 67K miles on ours without a single problem. Their seats are roomy & it is loaded with features. Some Hondas need tranny work, some Toyota engines have sludge issues, some Nissans need frequent sensors, but we have had Mitsubishis since 1983 & they are so trouble-free. The ride was choppy & unnerving though. Power is adequate if you dont tow, but underpowered a bit if you do. Mitsubishi is under appreciated & they build an outstanding vehicle!

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  35,000 mile review - 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By TexasGal - November 7 - 5:43 pm

  I previously owned a Mitsubishi Montero Sport which I drove for 10+ years. Hated to get rid of it so I thought another Mitsubishi would be a good purchase. Gas mileage has been 18 mpg consistently, less than what I got in my MS (which was 19-20 mpg). It it a bigger SUV. Seats are comfortable and great room inside. I have used the back for moving large items and have taken several trips with dog crates so if you need cargo storage, this vehicle can handle the load. Because I loved my Montero Sport so much, I do compare the two vehicles.

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  Best Money I ever Spent - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By lionesse2015 - November 5 - 5:21 pm

  This is the most awesome car I have driven to NY and Ga on many occasions. I bought the car used with 14k mikes on it today 12years later and 13 years old its at 214k. Awesome on gas unassuming and just an all around dream. I am in the market for a new car right now and fear I will never find something as good as my outlander.

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  Best Car I Have Ever Owned - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By PMB - November 2 - 3:13 pm

  I have owned more than two dozen new cars in my lifetime, and this one wins hands down for being the most reliable one. Nothing else even comes close!!! I had it for almost six years and had to trade it in at 165K miles due to insurance premiums on multiple cars. It still ran like a dream, and I hated to see it go. Of course, I faithfully changed my oil with high quality products every 3000 miles. This one is really easy to do it yourself.

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  great car! - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By rallyrally - November 1 - 9:13 am

  All in all this is a great car. Good gas mileage and fun to drive especially when every one thinks your an Evo or something. Inside is simple nothing catchy but easy to use and comfortable. Sound system is great! This car is safe too! I wrecked it and the only thing wrong with it is the body! Ill miss this car!

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  Fun to drive. - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Rick - October 31 - 1:40 am

  This is my commuter mobile. It has plenty of power and torque despite its a 4 cylinder engine. Plenty of interior room for front seats but the rear seats are not for people - just extra storage space. You get a lot of car for its price - style and performance compared to its competitors.

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  248,582 original miles and still going strong!!! - 2003 Mitsubishi Montero
  By mjd11 - October 30 - 4:11 pm

  i bought my 2003 montero LTD in 2004 with 25,000 miles and since 200,000 + miles in the odometer and let me tell it has never let me stranded no where! only do the regular basic maintenance (oil, oil filter,air filter,battery,brakes, etc) and the off road capability one of the best off road vehicle you can buy.But where it falls short is in horseporwer is slugish when accelerating and the mpg i think can be improve im getting max and light footed on highway speed is 19.1.but overall is the most reliable (and i have had toyotas)and comfortable ,i would recommended it to everybody.

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  So Far So Good - 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By Jonathan - October 28 - 4:06 pm

  So far this has been the best car Ive owned. I drive this about 25 miles to work in stop and go traffic mainly and have taken it on road trips to Vegas. The AC is OK and it did beutifully in the 119 degree weather. I get about 28 mpg on a normal day and got about 34 mpg on my road trip. It handles great and is pretty quiet for this class of car, though there is some wind noise around the windows. Its speakers are pretty good. It is lacking in low-end torque, but has enough juice to get me out of hairy situations. I had one problem with the A/C draining water into the car, but it was a two second fix. The tube had clogged and a little squeeze was all it took. Keep up on the oil changes!