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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  my first - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Eric Fleming - January 31 - 10:00 am

  i bought this car a few months ago for my wife, and i have since fell in love with it. we plan on taking out on camping trips very soon. i would recommend this car to anyone looking for the conviences of an all around SUV with utmost in styling and design. not to mention the price.

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  So yeah its a Sport - 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
  By manchesterlad - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Ok I have had my Montero Sport 2 months and done 7200 already on it. Two oil changes and its a dream. Excellent cargo space....great 4WD that WORKS. Still because I do so much driving, I drive an SUV like an SUV is suppose to be driven..sensibly and speed limits are observed. This is a great Vehicle for the price my sport had 38,000 on it when bought. I rate this vehicle highly and if anybody is going for the "NEW" sports with all the finance goodies then save yourself $12,000 or so with a few $$$$

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  Great Car - 2001 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By RLSDia - January 25 - 9:23 am

  I have had this car for six years and plan to keep for six more. It was a great purchase.

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  Very New Owner - 2004 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By madison1965 - January 20 - 10:00 am

  So far, this car is great. I just bought it yesterday, and when I took it out for a spin late last night, I noticed quite a few heads turning to take a second look. Mitsubishi offered such a great incentive to buy, I couldnt resist, not to mention The awesome warranty!

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  2007 Mitsubishi Outlander - 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By Johnny Appleseed - January 15 - 1:56 pm

  The V6 engine is strong, but hard acceleration off the line results in heavy torque steer coupled with tires (Yokohama) that do not provide enough traction for the amount of power this vehicle delivers. Ride is silky smooth, but a bit loud by todays standards. Steering column controls are good as well as climate controls, but radio controls are too small. As deeply inset as the speedometer and odometer are, they still have glare when sunny. Seating is comfortable, but cloth is thin and feels cheap. The 2nd row seatbacks are a bit low for adults, but they recline and move fore and aft for added comfort. Front and rear armrests are too short even for average size adults.

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  Eclipse - 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By kenny7118 - January 14 - 5:53 pm

  Love the car. Needs more power. Too much in insurance.

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  Lancer Ralliart - 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By eric - January 12 - 5:43 pm

  I have to say that I really enjoy driving this car! I went into the dealership to get my Eclipses dashboard fixed, and while waiting I just started browsing the Lancers and decided to take one for a test drive. What a difference between the Lancer and my Eclipse (GS 2000). The Ralliart has a nice stiff suspension that feels great going into curves, as well as the steering feels extremely direct. The car also feels very peppy and light and the view the drivers seat makes driving in any traffic very easy. Factor in those Japanese seats that hold you in and its a great experience.

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  Nice Car with great value.. - 2001 Mitsubishi Galant
  By Deepfreeze - January 11 - 7:40 pm

  Great car, has a lot of power. Transmission is smooth.. Its a great buy if you buy it used. Got mine with 65000 miles on it. Great altrnative for the overpriced Accord and Camry. This car is also a bit sporty compared to the two.

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  VR-X Great Car! - 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante
  By RobbieHe - January 11 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car in November after first test driving it back in August. I had two Gallants previously, a 1996 and a 1999, both four cylinder versions. I saw the VR-X off at a distance back in August and knew that I wanted to take a closer look. Its a great looking car! When I first test drove it, I realized that it was simply on a different plane when compared to the Gallants. Its fast, tight, and super cool-looking on the inside.

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  Great car - 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By jerry37 - January 11 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I were quite impressed with the styling/ design of this car (inside & out). The engine performs well on both city and highway driving and its got enough zip for merging/ passing. The ride is comfortable and the cabin is very quiet for such a small car. Having downsized from a 00 Mazda MPV (which we loved) I must say cargo space is more than adequate for our needs. My only comment about the stereo has to do w/ the faceplate. I wish it was more customized (with more options) for this car and it did not look so generic. Otherwise, so far so good.