Are Mitsubishis Good Cars? How To Make The Right Purchasing Decision
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Mitsubishi is probably a familiar name, but not one of the first brands you’ll think of when you think of cars. They’re relatively common but not as well known as big-name brands like Toyota, Ford, Chevy, or Mercedes. But, how common or well-known a vehicle brand is doesn’t tell you one important thing: Are Mitsubishis good cars?
You need to consider a few things if you’re considering getting a Mitsubishi. The measure of a good car isn’t just that you like the way it looks or thinks it feels good behind the wheel. You should be thinking about performance, reliability, cost of ownership, safety ratings, and more.
Thankfully, we’ve taken a closer look at Mitsubishi as a brand to see how their vehicles perform and what you should expect when you buy one. That way, you can decide whether to consider Mitsubishi models in your car search or if you’re better off going with a different brand or manufacturer.
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Mitsubishi Performance
Performance is the bread and butter of a lot of vehicle brands. Most consumers are looking for a vehicle that drives well, is safe in a wide variety of conditions, and that doesn’t burn through as much gas as older models.
Essentially, they’re looking for vehicles that work better, look better, are more streamlined, and are more eco-friendly than ever.
Some models of Mitsubishi offer good performance and are a joy to drive. Unfortunately, performance results are mixed when it comes to Mitsubishi. The Outlander, probably Mitsubishi’s most popular model, has some good and bad years, and most of Mitsubishi’s other models are similar.
More recent releases are doing well overall. Still, we must remember that any vehicles released from 2019 to now aren’t as well tested as others because consumers drove (and bought) less during the pandemic.
So, while performance seems to be on an upswing when it comes to Mitsubishi vehicles, that’s not enough to say that Mitsubishi is good cars. We haven’t road-tested the newer models as thoroughly as their older releases.
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Mitsubishi Reliability
In terms of reliability, there’s another mixed back for Mitsubishi. The brand isn’t known for having the longest-lasting cars, but they aren’t known for lemon vehicles or vehicles that need much maintenance and repair.
Instead, think of Mitsubishi being mostly middle of the road. They’re reasonably reliable in most cases, with some models that are better than others and some models that are worse.
However, one big thing that makes Mitsubishi a little more questionable in terms of reliability is its recalls.
Mitsubishi models often have a recall or two on them shortly after release. Some problems are mild and not worth worrying about, while others have serious recalls on the safety systems or engine.
The good news is that most used Mitsubishi models that have had a recall in the past will already have the relevant repair done. The bad news is that it seems like Mitsubishi is willing to release vehicles that haven’t had enough testing, leading to recalls. Fortunately, the recalls are voluntary, and the company has a good track record of doing right by their customers affected by a recall.
That said, Mitsubishi has gotten good reliability ratings more recently, with RepairPal.com rating it as the 6th most reliable brand out of 32 brands. However, some of its high ratings may be because of its low cost of ownership as much as the actual reliability of the vehicle.
Mitsubishi Cost Of Ownership
Cost of ownership is one area where Mitsubishi excels. If you’re wondering are Mitsubishi are good cars, and if cost is one of your primary concerns, Mitsubishi is a great option.
Mitsubishi vehicles tend to be more affordable, not because they have substandard parts or construction, or because they’re budget vehicles, but simply because Mitsubishi’s lower prices help them compete for market share in today’s crowded vehicle market.
That means Mitsubishi are easier to buy, but what about maintenance costs?
Well, there’s good news there too. Mitsubishi vehicles are typically easy to maintain and use standard parts configurations, so you won’t need to look for a Mitsubishi-specific mechanic to work on your car.
Like most vehicles, regular maintenance is a must, but Mitsubishi cars don’t tend to need anything extra. Frequent oil changes, tire maintenance, and following the recommended maintenance schedule are all you need to keep them running unless you’re in an accident or tough on your vehicles.
Are Mitsubishi Cars Safe?
Yes! Despite recalls in the past and some reliability inconsistency over the years, Mitsubishis are generally considered safe vehicles, and the more recent releases are doing really well in safety ratings.
The 2022 Outlander even got the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s top safety rating, which is a significant achievement for Outlander and the brand as a whole.
The Outlander has also been consistently highly rated in the past. Still, this most recent rating helps speak to Mitsubishi as a consistently safe vehicle manufacturer and a good option for safety-conscious consumers.
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What Went Wrong With Mitsubishi?
Decades ago, Mitsubishi was considered one of the top Japanese manufacturers, standing shoulder to shoulder with Honda and Toyota. However, Mitsubishi has fallen from grace then. Below are some of the reasons why Mitsubishi has stopped being popular.
- No enthusiasts appeal: One of the greatest enthusiast cars of all time is the Lancer Evolution. Nowadays, Mitsubishi has stopped appealing to enthusiasts by focusing on SUVs and crossovers.
- Lack of innovation: Standing out in the market means offering something new and different. Today, Mitsubishi tends to follow trends, and its latest “innovation” is the Outlander PHEV.
- Inconsistent build quality: Current Mitsubishi interiors can’t stand up to competitors. For instance, modern Mitsubishi vehicles tend to have mundane cabins full of piano black plastic surfaces. Compared to the likes of Kia and Hyundai with near-luxury interiors, Mitsubishi doesn’t stand a chance.
- Lagging in tech: Modern consumers have high standards regarding tech features. Unfortunately, Mitsubishi struggles to outfit its vehicles with cutting-edge or even current-edge tech. It’s the same story when it comes to modern safety tech features.
Final Verdict: Are Mitsubishi Good Cars?
Overall, Mitshubishis are a reasonable option for what you’ll have to pay to get one. They’re reliable enough for most consumers, and their affordability is a big plus in a market flooded with more expensive vehicles and luxury models.
However, Mitsubishi are far from perfect, with a moderate number of recalls and a range of consumer complaints that make model research a must with this brand. If you’re buying a used Mitsubishi in particular, we’d recommend making sure it’s from one of Mitsubishi’s better-rated model years and not purchasing vehicles with a more checkered past.
Mitsubishi aren’t the best vehicles in the world but they aren’t the worst. That said, their high safety ratings and low prices are enough to make up for the flaws in some other areas. Overall, we’d say that as long as you research and ensure you’re getting one of the more reliable models, Mitsubishi offers good cars at reasonable prices.
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