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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  Satisfied - 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse
  By Consumer - October 9 - 7:53 pm

  So far, it is a good car, but then again i have only owned it for one month. hopefully itl keep me satisfied. stylish but hard to see out of the rear window because of spoiler. love the fog lamps, 7 speaker 200 watt sound system is entertaining. wish there was a rear window wiper. overall, so far it is a good car.

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  Alfalfa; my ride - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Jer Howard - October 9 - 10:00 am

  My best friend called my car alfalfa, I gave him a weird look. He explaned that the antena resembles alfalfa. It is the most comfortable car Ive ever been in. Thats because the seats Mitsubushi buys have been hands down awarded the most comfortable. I drive 365 miles one way every weekend, in any other car Ive ever been in it would be unbearable. But I cant complain with the Lancer.

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  Tons of Fun - 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
  By serendipity - October 7 - 10:00 am

  We love everything about it!

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  Good Buy - 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander
  By GLEN HOBIN - October 5 - 9:06 pm

  I have had my eye on this type of vehicle for some time and decided to take one for a test drive. The Outlander is smooth, comfortable and very quiet. I have been driving minivans for the past 11 years and it was time for a change now that it is mainly just my wife and myself when we take a drive. I am counting on getting better fuel economy as well.

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  3 plus years old and kickin - 2001 Mitsubishi Montero
  By diverbob - October 4 - 10:00 am

  Bought this truck with 51k miles. It is in great shape. I was impressed that there are no rattles and sqeeks. The interior is easy to use and the seats are comfortable. We are very happy.

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  Fun lancer - 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By gevans - October 3 - 3:16 pm

  A really fun car to drive with the 5 speed shift. Clutch is light, brakes are great. 36k miles without a problem - normal maintenance only. Warning - Watch out for the hub caps. They scratch easily on curbs. Price tag - over $70 each. Dealer where purchased was great!

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  THE BEST IN ITS CLASS - 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage
  By theheyman - September 30 - 2:00 am

  The moment i layed on this car it amazed me with its looks and its ride. The Corolla,Civic, focus and every other car in its class have nothing on it. THE BEST. I pity the fool without a mitsu. mirage!!!!

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  the greatest purchase that i made - 2003 Mitsubishi Galant
  By amis - September 30 - 2:00 am

  i looked at a couple a cars and the toyota was one of them and the people at levis mitsubishi treated me very well. the 4cyl. that i bought has just enough power that i need to get out of the way of trucks and other things.

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  Ralliart fun and free, service - 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Zack Bardonner - September 28 - 10:00 am

  For an inexpensive sports car I dont feel you can beat the ralliart. I have drove Fords SVT Focus and a few other slightly more expensive economy sports cars, none felt as fun or solid to cruise around town in. Something very exciting about this car is the free maintenance and warranty that come with it. About a week after buying mine I cought a screw in my tire and the dealership was more than happy to patch it up the next day at no cost to me.

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  It is a luxury car! - 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer
  By Seb - September 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my first car to own-I feel like I dont deserve it. It looks, feels, like a luxury car. The red gauges look BMW like, the interior is refined, huge, the outside is beautiful. With the 2.0L engine, it has enough power accelerating and merging. The engine is so quiet and the ride is as soft as any luxury car. The corollas engine is about 5x as loud and the ride seemed stiff. The corolla seems way heavier and doesnt accelarate as fast and as quietly as the lancer. The civics have a smaller engine then the lancer, the lancer looks kick ass while the civic looks conventional, and it is bigger then the civic.