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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  Good first Car - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By chewetson825 - July 1 - 12:45 am

  This was the car I bought when I was 16. I got it with 119,000 miles on the clock and it now has 152,000. Overall, it has been a pretty good first car. Ill be sad to part ways with it when i get a new car.

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  Have an open wallet - 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By gert06 - June 22 - 7:06 pm

  While initially loved the truck, as time/mileage wears on, no after market parts available, so costly. Also, the need for Premium fuel. Dealer had stated could use regular at a loss of mileage-I guess with regular the best I get is 10-12mpg! Fuel filler set known by many mechanics to rot out, had back order for over 6 weeks, all the while spilling gas every time I tried to get it into the tank.

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  Very Angry - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Italia Parisi - June 22 - 10:00 am

  When shutting the doors, the sound is very cheap. Mileage is way way way off what is claimed. Transmission already feels like it is slipping. Stereo sound is not clear. Fog lights are for appearance only, they serve no other purpose. All things considered I paid way too much for a 4 cylinder car. And I did my research on your sight!!! Shame on you.

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  "LEMON" is an understatement! - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By TyKc - June 18 - 11:06 pm

  We purchased our Galant in 2006. The look of it really appealed to us. We loved it at first, but things went downhill. We have had squeaky brakes since we got it, the mechanics on the rear driver side window broke causing the glass to fall into the door, and our air conditioner has broken SIX times! We live in the desert so to go without air is NOT an option. We have put more money into fixing the air than our car is even worth. We paid way too much for it and the value decreased too much too fast. We hate it so much but are stuck with it! We have met 3 people with the same year and all 3 have had the same exact problems. I would never buy one again and I was very disappointed.

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  Shoulda bought a Subaru - 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
  By captain766 - June 6 - 6:37 pm

  I only had 2 concerns requirements for a new car, higher seating position and descent MPG. With those requirements I completely expected the performance would not impress. The Outlander Sport certainly delivers on that expectation. Very unimpressive. The MPG rating of 28Hwy, 24 city, 26 combined is just a pipe dream. I am averaging 22 MPG and my 100 mile round trip commute is 90% wide open interstate (no traffic to content with). I always watch to make sure the ECO indicator is lit and still only 22MPG. Took the car to the dealer. They checked it out, test drove it (with same results as my experience) and called Mitsubishi Tech. Their answer, "Yup, thats what you can expect"

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  Traded my Gallant for This??? - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By cm0805 - May 31 - 3:11 pm

  I didnt know when I traded that the same motor that was in my Gallant is also in the Outlander. Good motor, but the Outlander is heavier so it has no get up an go. It also doesnt track well, feels top heavy in the curves. Inside is not plush, but looked good when new. Both Gallant and Outlander had the same problems: after a couple yrs the A/C goes out and the temp control knob (the cheapest design Ive seen) breaks off. The good news: 10yrs, 260k mi and still running like a top. Oil changes and a timing belt is all Ive had to do. My Gallant was the reason I stayed with this brand... 340k, oil changes and 1 water pump. Awesome!

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  Great cheap reliable car but BORING! - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Glenn - May 5 - 7:23 pm

  We needed a cheap reliable 4 door car with a new addition to the family and having owned 2 other Galants and an Eclipse I knew the reliability factor was there. This is unfortunately one of the most boring cars around!

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  2007 Mitsubishi Outlander - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By charlie b - May 2 - 4:10 am

  500 miles on it in 5 days and inital impression is that it is an average riding and average comfort vehicle that gets decent gas mileage. It is a small suv but the interior seating room is good. The engine and tranny combine for very decent power and fuel efficiency.

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  Wasnt the best for me... - 2000 Mitsubishi Galant
  By skally - March 6 - 12:31 pm

  After buying this car I realized it was one of those cars the dealer patches up just to get off the lot. The instrument cluster had been swapped out which means the car likely had higher miles than stated. The transmission didnt shift into overdrive which I never did resolve. After a few weeks of driving it the upper rear shock mount broke. So I fixed those things and traded it in on something else.

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  Traded off - 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
  By Bdk437 - February 4 - 2:59 pm

  We made a mistake buying this car. Bluetooth after a few months never worked... maintenance alert for oil changes sucks too. Our dealer was 90 minute drive and what brought me to the end of my rope was how rude the service department was. Went back to Toyota RAV4 which just blows the Outlander away. Worth the extra $8k.