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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  Very Happy Customer - 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Brian - February 19 - 7:13 am

  This is my first SUV. I needed more cargo space than my sedan could offer. I test drove the vue, equinox, escape, journey, nitro before looking at the outlander. This offered everything I was looking for and really enjoy driving it. I like the steering wheel radio controls, the in-floor storage (I dont have the 3rd row seat). I like all the safety and stability features. The 4 cyl is good, but because I have a lead foot could use a little more get up and go. I have to still get used to speedometer on left side of the display. Offers great warranty. Gets good gas mileage for an SUV. Great safety ratings. Not sure why you dont see more of them on the road. This is a great SUV especially for the $$.

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  Diamante with performance - 2001 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By KCOBABE - February 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is great. The main thing I love is it has more HP than most of the muscle cars and 2 door sport cars you see on the road. Main thing it could have is RWD or 4WD. The front wheels spin to easy and when you are trying to get the car to go in the rain, here in the desert, it can be a problem. The looks a great. Gas milage is fine for what the cars compression is. You cant ask for high gas milage when you have a car like this. The only problem you will have is if you try to use Regular Unleaded instead of Premium.

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  im in love with this car1 - 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By clint - February 9 - 11:15 am

  This is my second car from Mitsubishi. My first was the 2014 Mirage. This is an upgrade leap frog years from what i had. the vehicle picks up speed from a standstill like a jag, leaving other vehicles in its dust. The ride is smooth, handles well, downshifts like a race car, sound system is boss, beautiful 18 alloy rims, no need to get after markets there. The look of the car is sexy, the grill reminds me of something from the Transformers. Get this car! you cant go wrong!

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  Cool Design, Poor Build - 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By MikeD - February 8 - 5:33 am

  The 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante looks great - it definitely gets praise for its "coolness factor.: However, the build quality is terrible. I’ve previously owned Toyotas so maybe I’m used cars being tight and relatively maintenance free. This car has had constant rattles in the interior, the console is made of all cheap plastic materials, at 13,000 miles the front rotors were warped (not covered under warranty), I have three rust spots on the hood (not covered under warranty), there is squeak when turning sharply (dealer can’t find), in cold weather the door takes about ten slams to get it to close correctly, and the glove box has somehow sagged, This car is now worth less than half than what I paid (no seriously, in less than two years it depreciated by $16,000).

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  5 Year Review 2008 GTS - 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By mba0006 - February 4 - 5:21 pm

  Ive owned my Mitsu for 5 years now. I am trading it in for a 13 Charger b/c I can afford one now. This was a great car! The 150 hp engine felt more along the lines of mid 200s. The cvt transmission is a bit sluggish in the low RPMs but the lancer is a fun car to drive. I am 6-2 and 200lbs. I felt comfortable in the lancer. The back seats were okay, very wide but not much leg room. The GTS is very sporty. The Rocksford sound is great! If youre expecting it to be like the Evo you will be disappointed, but the lancer is still fun to drive and has a practicle MPG and cost. Exterior noise was the one complaint (hwy speeds are noisy) but the RF sound can drown it out ;) For the price range A+

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  My New Endeavor - 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor
  By europea28 - February 3 - 5:06 am

  Its fun to drive, easily manouvarable and visualy stunning. I was a little worried about getting an SUV, and was torn between this one and the Pilot. I found this one to be more aestheticaly pleasing, and I feel very safe in it. I love this vehicle. Its my first SUV and Im thorougly enjoying it.

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  Quick Review - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By Babycasey - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Overall, its a good investment. Do not expect too much from the car since you are not paying a high price on it.

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  Outeverything! - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By evolander - January 31 - 8:20 am

  The Outlander handles like a car - a good handling car at that. Its quiet, there is nothing is flimsy in the interior. The vehicle fully equipped is an amazing value with many features the competition doesnt even offer. The transmission is very adept at shifting and selecting gears. Its gas mileage is right about what you would expect for a mid-sized sedan. With electronic brakeforce, all wheel drive, and a six speed trans, this vehicle is sure-footed to say the least. The sound system is fantastic. I could go on and on but it scores very highly across the board. There is a knock that we hear in the suspension and some wind noise around the mirror, but were still happy and will get that fixed. This truck has no real flaws and has had no failures.

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  Good looking, reliable car - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Emma - January 25 - 3:16 pm

  I love my car, the appearance especially. It could be a little more fuel efficient, but I am happy with the reliability so far.

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  The Car Lasts - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By kevint - January 25 - 1:33 pm

  I have owned this 2001 Galant since November of 2000. For just routine maintenance over the last 142,000 it has been pretty good. It will be needing a new AC compressor. The car has a sporty look to it but it is not a SPORTS car.