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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  cant beat the value of this machine - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By smartbuyer - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Best bang for the buck of any mid-size SUV I test drove, 0% financing to boot. Great leather heated seats, super 300+watt stereo, a head turner when compared to the competition. Be careful in fast acceleration, lotsa torque steer. Who said Mitsubishi isnt a Tier One automaker?

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  This is a great car - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By James in VAB - October 20 - 8:00 pm

  I went for a test drive and ended up trading my brand new Nissan with only 7000 miles on it. This is a great car. The Bluetooth and sound system are awesome. Sirius radio works flawlessly. The CVT is amazing. Safety features abound. This car is perfect for weekday commuting and weekend getaways! I would tell anyone looking for a car in this class to add the Lancer to the list. This is the Lancer that shouldve been built 5 years ago.

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  Best one yet - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
  By mburger - October 20 - 10:00 am

  I love this truck, owed a jeep grand before and this is a world of difference. Runs beautifully.

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  Not Bad for the price - 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By karkai6 - October 18 - 8:50 pm

  Got the car used at 36k miles.. Got it relatively cheaper than the other cars in the same range out there.. The gearbox is among the better ones I have used and the throw feels very slick.. The performance is not very bad, but then the engine doesnt feel very refined over 4-5k rpm.. The looks of the car are definitely a plus, and did influence me considerably against the Mazda 3. So, overall, not a bad car at all, though there are definitely sportier ones out there at this price range.

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  Maybe.... - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By vagirl - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I am an avid fan of the Nissan Altima, my fiance has one and I had one until it was in a car accident and I had to go looking for another car. I never considered the Galant because I didnt know a lot about it, I had seen commercials all over the place about the eclipse but the galant was an afterthought. I have the V4 and when I test drove it I though I was driving a V6 and commented to the dealer that as a V6 it was a tad sluggish, they said, "no, you tested the V4", well I take it back, as a V4 its got a little bit of a zing then! I am still getting used to it and continue to be a loyal fan of Nissan, but Mitsubishi isnt far off!

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  A Very Good Car! - 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Stephen - October 16 - 6:36 am

  Im from the Philippines, where the xls is known as the "gls sport". Its a nice cuv, with good suspension. The roads here are not too great, but after a long drive, I dont feel beaten up. Also looks good, & people turn whenever I pass by. The cars sound system is also good, and I dont have to buy anything extra just to enjoy my cds. A lot of new friends are impressed by the exterior & interior looks of this car. It was a toss-up between this and the forester, and i have not regretted my decision in choosing over this one. the fuel consumption is ok, esp on long drives.

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  New Car, Lovin It - 2006 Mitsubishi Galant
  By del98 - October 14 - 7:00 am

  The 2006 Mitsubishi Galant is a breath of fresh air. It is comfortable, spacious, fun to drive, has more pick up than I had anticcipated, has great looks, and gets good gas mileage. It is a family car with a sporty feel.

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  Well....I guess I like it - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By colembaw - October 11 - 10:46 am

  I like my Lancer, but I think that it is a little average. The fuel economy is OK, the ride is OK, I dont want to come across as an unsatisfied customer, but I just havent been blown away by the car. The interior is above average, I like the standard features, but overall I havent been thrilled with the pick-up or the way that I have been followed up with by the dealership (none). Being a car salesman now, I look back on the experience I had and see how to not sell a customer a car.

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  8 months of ownership - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By brbrskss - October 11 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Outlander for 8 months and have had no problems with it at all. Complaints would be less than stellar gas mileage at around 20mpg, and a paint and clear coat that seems to scratch quite easily. I just came home from a 2000 mile road trip, mostly highway driving, and the trip with my wife and two kids was quite enjoyable. The car was a little cramped with all of our stuff. Part of the trip was in very heavy rain at over 70mph, and the Outlander AWD held the road with no problem. I love the cupholders, the powerful Air Conditioning, the cruise control, and the stereo. All things considered I would buy this car again,

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  I love my new car!! - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By glamgal24 - October 11 - 10:00 am

  My husband and I just bought a new Lancer. We were looking at Gallants, but I REALLY liked the Lancer...especially for the money. We also like that Mitsubishi gives discounts to loyal customers. WE LOVE THE NEW CAR!!! The inside is gorgeous and we get a lot of compliments on our car. Our daughters car seat now has a place for the safety latch. We are very pleased with our new car.