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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  Great Car - 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By STOPP@EARTHLINK.NET - November 16 - 6:46 am

  The Eclipse is a very fun car to drive and doesnt cost you an arm and leg to drive it. Its sporty , has good lines and is a car quick on response, a comfortable car that really makes driving exciting.

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  Great Car - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Keldot - November 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this car for four years now and absolutely love it. It is a heavy car which is great in winter driving conditions as well.

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  Great Sedan - 2004 Mitsubishi Galant
  By atl842 - November 15 - 10:00 am

  I was a little bit unsure about purchasing the Galant over the usual Accord, Camry, or Altima. Today I am very pleased with the decision of the Mitsubishi. The car is quiet, fast, and comfortable and I dont feel like I just blend in with the crowd.

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  Imlovynit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By lancaboy - November 15 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a 2004 MItsubishi Lnacer a couple months ago so far i love it. i traded in my 2002Honda civic ex sedan. and boy am i glad i did the seats are way more comfortable. the layout is way better. The lancer even has a way sporty appeal inside because of the white face gauges and silver trim. 2 keep it simple the civic was boring. the lancer isnt. I love ITTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

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  Fabulous car - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By julie - November 14 - 11:46 am

  My Galant is a great car, reliable, fun to drive, good on snow on ice, great sporty look; even 8 years later I get compliments. I have the V6 and the 3.0L engine and get at least 25 mpg commuting to work in the country. I will hate to see it go when the time comes. Then V6 transitions smoothly and functions well on the highway when passing,even with the AC on. It has a great dashboard, easy to read; has room for adults to sit comfortably in the back seat. Great visibility to the right in front windshield, unlike other similar cars.

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  Love it - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By KennyB - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Had no problems yet. My friend has a 97 spyder and loves it too. We are street racers and these are great cars to soop up. They turn lots of heads and even if you dont race...It is a great car.

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  after 120,000 miles...... - 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By parrot - November 10 - 10:46 am

  Other than wear and tear (brakes x1 each and new clutch at 100k), this car has been great! It is prettier than the one that replaced it; bought it new (gs was a little too much for me new) and have done NOTHING but Mobil 1 and drive it like mad! Still quick and fun, and I still smile when I look at it. Lots of wear and tear (door handle broke, cardboard thingy in trunk worn) because I have hauled everything from firewood to bookshelves to 2 mountain bikes in it. Its gone all over, Austin to Santa Fe, Big Bend, New Orleans. They need to work a little bit on locking trunk release, lift over hatch very high. But overall, a very great car, comparable to my Acuras. I am hard on cars; its held up

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  Always A Diamante Driver after buying th - 2004 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By Kenneth Ringwood - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive had people tell me they own a Mercedes and it isnt as comfortable as my Diamante. I have different passengers frequently in my car and everyone ask what make is this car When I tell them its a mitsubishi built in Australia, they are very surprised at the ride and luxury appointments this car has to offer ,and much less than they imagined. This is my 4th mitsubishi, all from the same dealer.Very happy,service is exellent.

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  Convinced - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By goosepsu - November 7 - 11:00 am

  Just bought 2002 Lancer LS in black. There were virtually none in the northeast (the dealer sent my sales rep via train and taxi to pick up the car on a snowy day... steve is my hero) but once we sat in it, we loved it. It looks, feels, and is a great car. We own a 2002 Toyota Corolla, and though the Corollas history of reliablity is golden, it is not unique. The Lancer is unique, extremely fun, and gets alot of double-takes on my morning commute. I love it.

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  Lancer mania - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By karl27 - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Lancer can be a formidable opponent of Honda and Toyota. The quiet engine, the functional power controls inside the cabin, and the cabin space itself makes the car cozy and fun to drive. I should say that making those sharp corner turns amazed me how this car kept itself on the ground and stable. The driver-adaptive shift technology on the other hand seems to not matter at all. I didnt feel the difference between this technology and a regular automatic transmission equipped car. But for the price and the features of this car, its worth driving.