Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Buying Guide

Get the best online car shopping experience with expert reviews of Mitsubishi Read more to learn about the most important features and important factors to consider when researching Mitsubishi.

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Mitsubishi Overview

Mitsubishi entered the U.S. market in the 1970s through a partnership with Chrysler and has been selling cars here under its own name since 1982. The Japanese automaker earned some early acclaim for its innovative and affordable performance vehicles, such as the 3000GT sports car and the rally-inspired Lancer Evolution sedan. But Mitsubishi has struggled in the last decade to maintain relevance. Its recent models remain attractively priced but trail many competitors when it comes to refinement and features. Among its top sellers is the Outlander, a relatively inexpensive crossover SUV, which is available as a plug-in hybrid.

Noteworthy Features

Budget-Friendly Vehicles
Mitsubishi models tend to cost less than their competitors in the same class. New Mitsubishis also come with a better basic warranty (lasting 10 years) than most comparable vehicles, which means a used Mitsubishi may well be in better condition than a comparable vehicle with the same driving history.

Fuel Economy
Driving a Mitsubishi can help you save on gas. In fact, many of the models are known for their fuel economy. The naturally aspirated engine in the Mitsubishi Mirage, for example, gives you 36 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway while the automatic transmission option still gives you 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway.

High-Tech
You'll certainly stay entertained while driving a Mitsubishi as the latest models are now equipped with high-end digital audio systems that support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard. There's even an upgraded 710-watt nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system available. The 2019 Outlander, meanwhile, boasts a six-speaker audio system with a 7-inch touch screen infotainment console. It also comes with the Rockford Fosgate system installed standard.

Additional Considerations

Nissan Trucks
In Consumer Reports road tests, Mitsubishi models consistently scored in the lower rankings for their given categories. Reliability is inconsistent across different models while driver satisfaction levels leave something to be desired. As MotorTrend says of the Mitsubishi Mirage, if you're seeking good acceleration and handling and sturdy quality of build, you can probably do better, though it may not be for that same price.

Basic, No-Frills Vehicles
You're not going to get all the bells and whistles with a Mitsubishi like you would some other brands of vehicles. While Mitsubishi can be counted on for its reliability, it doesn't pack in a lot of cool features.

Loud and Not Proud
Many Mitsubishi models, like the Outlander Sport, are noted for being louder than desirable while driving, especially while accelerating, and less comfortable to ride due to the interior materials used. The Eclipse Cross similarly offers a soft and bouncy ride. The four-cylinder base engine in the 2020 Outlander can be somewhat noisy and slow while the 2020 Outlander PHEV is not as comfortable as it could be and exposes riders to some creaking and rattling sounds. The Mitsubishi Mirage, meanwhile, is reported to have a noisy and rough engine and to exhibit a great deal of road noise on highways. The roominess of the cabins in most Mitsubishis does not make for a properly smooth and comfortable ride.