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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  endeavor - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By stdb - November 22 - 2:00 am

  My experience with the Endeavor has been great. I love the way it handles and how smooth the ride is. The visibility while driving is excellent. Comfort is a big factor and the Endeavor is very comfortable even for long drives. The power lets you know its safe for passing others on the road. Im sure my next vehicle will be another Endeavor.

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  Mitsubishi Endevaor - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Klubwithak - November 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a great SUV and I recommend it.It is a really nice car and I do not see why you would not buy it.

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  Fantastic SUV - 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Justin - November 21 - 4:36 am

  We bought our Endeavor after owning a 2004 Lancer Ralliart to have more room and cargo space. We absolutely love it. Its comfortable, rides great, and has plenty of power. We have also only run 87 octane and have not had any problems or noticeable loss in gas mileage.

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  Quick, sporty, more bang for your buck. - 2006 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Kaarst - November 20 - 3:43 pm

  I bought this car with 3,000 test drive miles on it. It was brand new. Almost a year later - it still drives like new. Quick off the line, quick stops, it hugs the road through cornering. It has the look and feel of a European driving machine. "Poor mans BMW" is what I call it.

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  good/great - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By jeffskibo - November 20 - 2:20 pm

  great looks both interior and exterior. Corners really well and a smooth ride, however severely lacks power which is a trade-off for great gas mileage.

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  Best Car Yet For Me!!! - 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By John Bowden - November 20 - 10:00 am

  Certainly a lot of car for the buck! You can pay a lot more and get a lot LESS in a luxury car ie Lexus, Acura!

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  Great Value - 2007 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By Anonymous - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought our 07 Endeavor with 15K miles on it for a terrific price. Have put 10K on it so far. Great car. Black exterior and black leather interior look awesome. AWD drives great. Only problem is that I recently found out from a Mitsu mechanic that it had been in an accident that was not on the Carfax. Which is why my engine rattles a little bit louder than normal. Nothing wrong with the engine, he said. Just something I have to live with since there are non- original parts in there. So, aside from a loud engine when idling. I love it. Also, battery died at 20K miles, but it was a quick fix.

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  Indestructible - 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By jimcsmith1988 - November 18 - 4:06 am

  Astonishingly reliable- I purchased in 2011 used, and within three days a wind storm dropped a 5000 pound tree on the hood. After chopping the tree up, the car took off as if nothing happened. With a mileage intensive job, Ive been heaping miles on it without issue. Just swapped out the timing belt after 100K miles to be safe, but it gave no indication that it needed it. It is small, and Id recommend the 4 door. The mileage is beyond incredible, I get somewhere between 30-35MPG on average, and thats with a 10 year old automatic setup. The pickup is not fast, but it can maintain 90MPH on the highway without issue. I smiled a bit when I overtook a new Challenger on the interstate.

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  Read actual consumer reviews! - 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By mitsucommuter - November 17 - 8:26 pm

  Best car for the value. If your on the fence about the exterior and interior design compared to its competitors. Check this car out in person. It will most likely surprise you. My previous car was a mitsu galant. With everything original in tact with over 220k miles. So I know and trust their engineering. As long as you do the regular maintenance and dont submerge it under water or hit some deep pot holes at aggressive speeds this vehicle should be reliable. You should never have to rely on their warranty but its nice to have as a cushion/ peace of mind.

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  Excellent, Fun Car-Short & Long Distance - 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Stacy Wiley - November 16 - 4:53 pm

  I purchased this car brand new off the lot in 2006. I have been driving it for two years now and would not give it up for the world. I love the comfort, sportiness, and sexiness it gives me on the road. The power is excellent for a four cylinder, although I do notice a sluggish start when running the A/C on high from a dead stop. Long distance drives have not left me with the "numb butt" feeling. That was a plus. I average about 28-30 mpg in town, if driving casually. If I romp on it, I can almost see my gas gauge move! Driver tendencies depend on gas mileage. I love the interior, although the driver side door could have an elbow rest a little higher. Absolutely great car!