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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  Bad News - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Barktl - April 1 - 10:00 am

  The handeling is very poor on dry roads and wet roads. I feel very unsafe in this vehicle. The Wheel width is to naoorw verses the height of the vehicle.

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  2004 Galant - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Georgia - March 12 - 6:30 pm

  My Galant has had issues for the last 2 years. I bought it brand new in 2004, and was pleased until recently. My blower on the air conditioner/heater has stopped working and my engine light has come on because there is a vacuum leak related to the gas line. My husband has a 2004 Endeavor, and its transmission has gone out. We will never buy anything from Mitsubishi again, and we would really like to send them back since we still owe on both of them and they are worth nothing to us. I am now driving a 1980 Oldsmobile that is more reliable than both of our Mitsubishis!!!!

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  Lemon - 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By eplenge - December 11 - 6:33 pm

  I hate this car. I have had it in the shop every three months since I bought it for everything from warped brake rotors, dead batteries, bad alternator, transmission leaks, torque converter rumble, NEW TRANSMISSION AT 44,000, broken seat heaters, broken thermostat, you name it. The interior is not comfortable and the seats are bolted on with blatantly visible hardware, and the console space is so poorly designed that you cannot have a drink in the cup holder and change the radio at the same time. The cargo compartments under the floor in the back are about all I can say good about this car. I traded up and OUT of Mitsubishi.

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  Interior is Shoddy. - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By PvtPart - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Car performs great. However, weve had a lot of problems with the interior. Cigarette plugs pulling out, seatback adjusters giving out, window motors falling apart, ect. Many times we had the car back for warranty work. Not happy at all with it.

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  Car Sucks - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Joebert - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This is the absolute worst car I have ever driven. The transmission will not shift into 1st gear driving over 5 MPH and sometimes not into 2nd gear if over 15 MPH. The dealer said that this is normal for Mitsubishi and that "They do not have the smoothest shifting transmissions out there." Why is it that for the first 6-8 weeks of owning this car did it drive fine? Nobody wants to address this question. I have had it in there a total of 4 times for this issue and the first time they replaced the synchronizers (maybe) and now they tell me, "We replaced them to make the customer happy. I will NEVER buy another car from that dealership.

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  Not a happy camper - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By snot good - July 5 - 10:00 am

  Looks great but thats about it. Needs a larger engine. A slight fish-tail with wind gust. Cant spend that kind of money for this junk.

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  Why dont they fix the leak - 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By mikenbarb - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Our Montero Sport has been a money pit, it has had problems with oil leaks, my mechanic called Mitsubishi who said they have been making the 3.0 ltr. engine for 10 years and this has always been a problem. If they know this, why dont they fix it? The seats will kill you on a long trip, they are extremely uncomfortable. The turning radius is terrible, just to park in a spot at the mall you have to pull in, back up, pull in, back up. I will never own another Mitsubishi

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  Stay Away from all Mitsubishi products - 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Lauren Bell - March 28 - 8:00 am

  This vehicle completely lacks any sort of quality and Mitsubishi is not standing behind their product. The problems we have had with the vehicle include: 1. All four brake rotors warping by 9,000 miles, had to be resurfaced, now the brakes grind and squeak 2. The car has three rattles. We understand this doesnt affect the operation of the vehicle but it is disheartening to spend so much money and hate to drive your vehicle so much. 3. Paint chipping off and fading, all over the car. Mitsubishi says we got behind a rock truck, two body shops say the paint job is cheap and defective. 4. Two brake recalls, both of which could cause a crash. We were only notified by taking the car in for an oil change.

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  Mitsubishi Sucks - 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By cyndietx - February 27 - 4:31 pm

  I bought a 2011 Mitsubishi outlander SE FWD grey in color in 09/2011. I have had nothing but problems! 1st the sunroof popped out of it sitting in the garage!!Mitsubishi 1st gave me the run around, and after much debate, they paid for it. Then a stress crack in the windshield. I paid for it myself because I got NOWHERE w/ mitsubishi. It runs terrible, I have to be careful getting out on the highway or I will get run over. the dealership says nothing is wrong w/ it! I can smell burning rubber, and so can everyone else! They say nothing is wrong! Now the PAINT is comming off!! Mitsubishi says its MY fault....driving conditions??? The running light FELL out going down the road,and low MPGs!!!

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  Highly Overrated! - 2007 Mitsubishi Galant
  By smogtek - January 10 - 3:20 am

  I cant help but wonder if these positive consumer reviews are being posted by mitsubishi dealers themselves. This car is a dog A nightmare to park for a sedan! its as wide as a truck or a van with huge blind spots at the rear flanks. Important controls that would be regularly adjusted on a road trip are not illuminated at night. The front windshield has a nasty glare reflecting the chrome accents from the dashboard (too many chrome accents)you need sunglasses to protect your eyes from interior glare. I test drove this car at night or I would have caught this major design flaw and passed. The majority of interior space in this car is all in the rear seating area. Cannot recommend this car!