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:

• 

  Never Never Buy Again - 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By zhibing li - March 16 - 12:10 am

  Owned this vehicle less than 4 months, and had to spend $800 to repair the condenser. Dealership and manufacturer claimed it is not under warranty as the damanage might be caused by road hazard. Heard someone that had 400 miles had the same bad luck as I did. Just to remind buyers to be wary of this potential problem with the Eclipse as the condenser is poorly protected.

• 

  The Galant Sucks - 2000 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Zubaid - February 23 - 10:00 am

  The front tires shake excessively during breaking. And I have affirmed this from other Galant owners (even GTZ owners). When going over a bump, it feels as if the front axle just cant take it. Too much torque coming from the V6. They didnt try to distribute the torque at all, simple switch of the 4 cylinder to a 6 during construction and design...bad idea. The car bolts forward if youre not careful. Overall..a piece of crap and I regret buying it every single day. My advice: Dont buy this car!!

• 

  Made in Illinois POS - 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
  By Danno - December 8 - 9:57 am

  Pros: decent on gas. Small. Cons: Small. Unreliable: In less than 3000 miles, this vehicle developed a transmission shudder (CVT), the airbag and seat belt warnings came on, and finally the tire pressure warnings came on. Comfort: Its horridly uncomfortable for an average American. Suspension bottoms out when the vehicle is loaded, and It doesnt have anywhere near the ground clearance needed. Obviously not designed for anything off road - not recommended at all. The Outlander might be an upsize for small-statured folks in the country of origin, but if youre over 6 or 250 lbs, fuggettaboutit. Convenience: The sunvisors dont extend. Theres no aux audio input for an mp3 player. The A/C is weak and cant cope with 105 degree days. Bluetooth does pair up with your phone quickly and phone calls work good. Performance: Nonexistent from idle to 3500 rpm. The throttle needs gouged to spin the motor to redline. Highway passes made easily but the car sounds like its coming apart when flogged. Transmission shifts are atrocious and a pronounced driveline shudder appeared in the first month. Safety: given the cramped quarters in the foot area, in the event of a frontal crash, youd be pinned in the car with two broken legs. Given that the airbag lights came on in the first three months of use, the car seems like a death trap waiting to spring. Reliability: nonexistent. The car accumulated more issues every month. Dealers are only located in metropolitan areas, for us a 150 mile drive. Overall: We turned this POS back into GSA and pray they dont ever, ever issue this model to anyone else.

• 

  slow, heavy, cheap interior materials, gas guzzler - 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Sean - October 18 - 5:05 am

  do NOT buy this car unless you are a short female. the seats hurt you spinal cord, neck and hips like a mother-fkr! I regret purchasing this car. The looks are great dont get me wrong but the power is horrid with the 4cyl. Everything in the car is ghetto-cheap plastic. What was Mitsubishi thinking???????? My spinal cord hurts now as I type this in my home. The car has destroyed my body. Ive seen chiropractors, acupuncturist galore... I have owned the car 5 years and planning on buying an SUV just so my body can heal! Im really heartbroken w/Mitsubishi. The End. Ps. If you do buy one make sure its 6cyl and please be short or your body WILL suffer!

• 

  Mediocre - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By tangesazen - September 30 - 10:00 am

  This car has ok looks, and I had 15 years of good experiences with previous Mitsubishi vehicles. I was looking for a four-door car with good mileage and good workmanship. After twenty months, I would rate this Galant as very mediocre. Mileage claimed was 33 Hwy, 27 City. I get 25 avg with 90% Hwy miles. Workmanship. Ive lost track of how many things have fallen off this car or no longer fit well. And they must have run out of money, the entire trunk looks like it was made with the $15 left in their budget. There is a _LOT_ of cabin noise also. My next car will not be a Mitsubishi.

• 

  New SUV Blues - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Prather - July 24 - 10:00 am

  Engine cutting out & its a new car & being jerked around by the dealership

• 

  Nightmare - 2000 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By NoMaaM - June 14 - 6:43 am

  I have had nothing but problems with my 2000 Mitsubishi Diamante. The last one is the famous heater core leakage problem. Just google for "Diamante heatercore" and you will see It is a known problem and Mitsubishi knows about it but is not doing anything. This problem costs $700 - $900 to repair or you will be poisoned inhaling antifreeze. Also, the 60,000 mile service costs $1,500 for a car not worth even $9,000. I will never purchase a Mitsuibishi again.

• 

  Its Not a civic - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Cybergypsy - May 25 - 7:43 pm

  The Car is fun to Drive, but seems you sit higher then in the new Civic, the navi is a pain to use....and the Lancer still feels tinny. I had a Lancer OZ before my Civic EX Coupe and the civic is more of a solid well built car.

• 

  Dont buy a mitsubishi - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By fireangel - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Wheel noise since day one that company refused to fix. Blamed it on tires. Exorbitont services required at minimum 400.00 each service. Now, air conditioner has stopped working. Also is built like a tin can. The so called quality sound system works when it wants too. When sunroof open, sun shines directly in drivers eyes from overhead. It is the first and the last one I will ever own. I plan on unloading it as soon as I can.

• 

  One of the worst cars ever - 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By bolshevik - May 5 - 5:56 am

  I bought this car used with little mileage, after a few months Ive had to put around a thousand dollars in fixes to it. I had to clean the engine because it was clogged, it has instability problems when accelerating over 60 miles (it vibrates), I had to replace a valve and some other engine internals because they were damaged, had to do injection system cleaning, and the worst of all I have to add oil to it on a constant basis because it just simply consumes a ridiculous amount of oil. My other car a Toyota Yaris 2008 has over 115K (I drive it hard and a lot) and I havent spent a SINGLE DOLLAR except on the normal oil and tire maintenance which I do by the book.