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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  Wind Noise, Wind Noise, Wind Noise!!! - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By kswnfrd - November 1 - 10:00 am

  The wind noise on both door seals as well as the hatchback is TERRIBLE!! The seals are poorly constructed and placed, and the overall door and hatchback seal is extremely poor. Also leaks water above the door windows when washed. Have been to dealer 3 times in 4 weeks, and was finall told it was a "design thing" and was normal for the 2002 and 03 Eclipses. Have also talked to other Eclipse owners with the same problem.

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  Are These Guys Kidding...? - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero
  By Truth or Consequence - October 29 - 10:00 am

  Like many others, I fell in love with this vehicle at first sight; well, the exterior looks anyway. I have to say that after the exterior appearance, things appear to go down-hill in a hurry. I read several reviews & have to ask all those people, how can you provide a "performance" value of greater than "5", & then state that the vehicle is wholly underpowered? Yep, the gas mileage sucks a bit also, but to be expected in a 6,000 pound vehicle sporting a whopping 200 HP engine! Breaks are substantially under- achievers if you consider all of the break replacements youll need. Paint is also a problem. But the interior, thats another story & mostly good.

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  An ok car... - 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By KC - October 29 - 6:23 am

  I have had quite a few problems with this car (most early on), mainly due to cheap parts. The headlights actually burned up the electrical wiring & had to be replaced & theyre still terrible. The oil pump (bad part) caused severe engine damage. After a month of work, I had to get a new engine. The interior is the cheapest. It gets scratched up easily & snap on parts have all come off (& wont go back on). The hooks on the trunk for the back cover broke off. My windsheild wiper fluid doesnt work bc the clip that holds the tubing broke off from heat. Transmission is ab to go out w 112,000 miles. Sun roof went out long time ago. Been hit a bunch & the exterior is like a tank (except 4 low front end).

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  Exterior paint - 2002 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Michelle Pendergrass - October 24 - 8:06 am

  I purchased my Mitsubishi in Jan. 2002, purchased it with only 8 miles on it. I purchased a Black one, I did love it at first, then after about 3 years, the paint has started disappearing. Great big chunks of paint gone. I have had it looked at, and have been told, I i just look around at other black Mitsubishi vehicles, I would find that I am not the only one with this problem. Since then I look very closely at any Black Mitsubishi, and all of the older ones have the same problem with the paint that has just disappeared. I was told that the older models have that problem.

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  Cheap and affordable. - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Bankerman - September 25 - 10:00 am

  Nice little car, looks are ok and all...My only wish is that Mitsubishi would feel good enough about the car to give it a 3YR-36,000 mile bumper to bumper AND a 5YR-60,000 mile power train warranty like Toyota and Nissan does. If Mitsubishi doesnt want to STAND behind THEIR OWN VEHICLE for longer than 36/36,000...then why should I? I mean, I could have bought an extra warranty, but why should I when Toyota and Nissan gives it for free.

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  Wont Buy Another One - 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Myarw - September 17 - 6:06 pm

  I have owned my Mitsubishi Montero Sport for four years and I cant wait to unload it. It has many transmission problems. Its very sluggish starting out and has an annoying slip between 2nd and 3rd gears. Its a smooth ride once you get past 3rd gear. The sensors are a big problem, Ive replaced my O2 sensor two times at the tune of $189 each time only to have them go bad again within a year. Then the service engine soon light came on. Now the 4 wheel drive is going bad too. I am trading it soon and cant wait to be rid of it.

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  Soild, yet unrefined - 2000 Mitsubishi Montero
  By City - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Soild vehicle. No high and no lows. Eats brakes due to its weight. Brakes always seem to feel soft. OEM tires are a joke, the Yokahamas make the Montero seem even more top heavy because they dont support the vehicle in turns very well. I upgraded to Goodyear Forteras and it make quite a bit of difference.

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  Not What I Expected - 2008 Mitsubishi Raider
  By DWilder - September 5 - 12:36 am

  Have had the truck just over a month and fuel mileage is not what I expected. Have been told it will get more after some break in, but dont really believe that. Thought Id get at least 24 on the highway but struggles to get 20. Take off power from dead stand still really slow. Transmission a little clunky. Traded in a 98 Ford F150 and got a pretty good deal but not much improvement on gas mileage. Truck does have nice body and does ride better on rougher roads. Interior features are OK. Like the white background speedometer panel. Has pretty nice interior room. Wished I had looked around some more since fuel prices are so high now and looked at something with better fuel mileage.

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  not so great of a car - 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By RallyStyle2003 - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Well I have had a bad experience owning this car from day one. No ABS available on this "sportier" model, but the step down does. I got in a serious accident within 3 months because I couldnt stop in time. It would have been plenty of room with ABS though. And horrible dealer treatment from day one. The service manager tells me "hey we dont build the cars, we just service them" and that because my bumper has already faded to an obviously different shade of white, that is normal and the kind of quality product that Mitusbishi produces. The "sales" side has lied to me constantly too. Just horrible.

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  STINKY CAR - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Y - July 30 - 10:00 am

  The thing smells like rotten eggs. No matter what time of year, what the weather is like, it stinks. Ive taken it to the dealer 4 or 5 times, and they keep telling me to "change gas stations." Fuel economy is not the best 22mpg for 4 banger, my caddy get 26 and its an 8 cyln. Will never buy a Mitsubishi again.