Are Mitsubishis Good Cars?

Mitsubishi cars are fuel-efficient and affordable—perfect for anyone with a short daily commute.
Written by Samuel Todd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Though Mitsubishi’s subcompact cars are a low-cost option that will get you from point A to point B, you might want to opt for one of their crossover SUVs if you value a stylish and smooth driving experience.
It’s no secret: Mitsubishi cars aren’t known for powerful engines and luxurious features. No, the 102,035 drivers who purchased a Mitsubishi in 2021 had something else in mind—affordability and fuel efficiency. You might not get a deluxe sports sedan when you buy a Mitsubishi, but you will get a trusty car that keeps your bank account happy.
So, how do you know if a Mitsubishi is a fit for you? Here to guide you in your decision is the
car insurance
comparison app
Jerry
. We'll break down everything you should know about Mitsubishi’s six current models, including reliability, safety, affordability, and how to secure a money-saving policy if you drive one off the lot. We can help you find the
best Mitsubishi car insurance
.
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Are Mitsubishis good cars?

Mitsubishi was founded in Tokyo in 1917, but they didn’t really start making cars until the end of the second world war. The company persisted through a series of rivalries, alliances, mergers, and dissolutions to become a top 20 car manufacturer worldwide.
Today, Mitsubishi is known for making budget-friendly cars that are good for short-distance city commutes. Mitsubishi may not be as popular in the US as Japanese competitors like
Toyota
,
Honda
, and
Mazda
, but it’s still a well-known brand with a lineup of versatile cars.
Here’s a closer look at the six Mitsubishi models on the streets today:
Model
Starting price
Years
Vehicle type
Edmunds.com rating
Car and Driver rating
Mirage
$14,645
1978 to 2003; 2012 to present
Subcompact car
5.7/10
2.5/10
Mirage G4
$15,645
2017 to present
Subcompact car
N/A
3/10
Outlander Sport
$21,795
2011 to present
Subcompact crossover SUV
6.1/10
4/10
Eclipse Cross
$25,795
2017 to present
Subcompact crossover SUV
7.1/10
6/10
Outlander
$26,495
2003 to present
Compact crossover SUV
7.9/10
8/10
Outlander PHEV
$36,995
2013 to present
Compact SUV
6.8/10
N/A
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Did you know? Mitsubishi’s logo is based on the shape of three water chestnuts, derived from the Japanese words “mitsu” (“three”) and “hishi” (“water chestnut”).

Are Mitsubishis reliable?

When we talk about reliability, we have to keep two main things in mind: how often a
car breaks down
and how difficult the
car repairs
are. A brand with great warranties, inexpensive repairs, and infrequent recalls earns a gold star for reliability.
When it comes to reliability, Mitsubishi cars receive mixed reviews. On the plus side, RepairPal gave the company a 4 out of 5 for reliability, placing it 6th out of 32 car brands.
On the other hand, Consumer Reports has consistently given the
Mitsubishi Outlander
and
Mirage
poor reviews on the dependability front. J.D. Power struck a balance between the two, awarding Mitsubishi a respectable 76/100 on the reliability scale.
At the end of the day, we think Mitsubishi cars are dependable for low-mileage drivers—but, if you’re planning on long-distance road trips with bumpy terrain, you might be better off going for an
ultra-reliable brand like Mazda

Are Mitsubishis safe?

Mitsubishis are safe vehicles, but they won’t garner any top-notch honors for their crash-test ratings. Their lineup of vehicles this year earned solid
NHTSA ratings
and good reviews from the IIHS, but they didn’t achieve the perfect suite of five-star reviews like Mazda and
Tesla
Thankfully, each Mitsubishi comes with several driver safety features, including:
Here’s a full list of Mitsubishi safety ratings:
Model
NHTSA rating
Recalls
IIHS rating
2022 Mirage
4 stars
0
Good
2021 Mirage G4
N/A
0
Good
2022 Outlander Sport
4 stars
N/A
Good
2023 Eclipse Cross
5 stars
0
Good
2022 Outlander
5 stars
3
Good
2022 Outlander PHEV
5 stars
0
Good
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MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings

Are Mitsubishis expensive to maintain?

According to RepairPal, Mitsubishi cars cost an average of $535 each year to maintain, which is cheaper than many American-based competitors. That said, a
Mitsubishi is slightly more expensive to maintain
than its Japanese peers, like Honda and
Acura
.
To keep your Mitsubishi humming for years to come, be sure to
practice safe driving
and follow the
proper maintenance schedule
. You’ll thank yourself for it later! 

Are Mitsubishis good on gas?

Here’s one area where Mitsubishi cars excel: they are some of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the streets. The incredible efficiency of the Mitsubishi Mirage’s non-hybrid engine has made headlines, and the hybrid Outlander PHEV produces an outstanding 74 MPGe.
This is how it all shakes out:
Model
City
Highway
Combined
Mirage
36 mpg
43 mpg
39 mpg
Mirage G4
35 mpg
41 mpg
38 mpg
Outlander Sport
24 mpg
30 mpg
27 mpg
Eclipse Cross
26 mpg
29 mpg
27 mpg
Outlander
24 mpg
31 mpg
27 mpg
Outlander PHEV
N/A
N/A
74 MPGe
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Naturally, a more powerful engine will make your car thirstier. The 78-horsepower, three-cylinder engine in the Mirage can cross multiple state borders without a fuel change—but the 181-horsepower 4-cylinder in the Outlander will need a refuel a bit more often.

Are Mitsubishis fun to drive?

Remember that 78-hp engine we were just talking about? Well, it’s wonderful for fuel efficiency, but it won’t break any speed records. If you’re driving the Mirage or Mirage G4, you can expect, as Car and Driver put it, a “painfully poky acceleration.”
That said, the Mitsubishi subcompact cars are nimble and nifty, so you can wriggle in and out of tight spaces, which is a huge bonus for drivers in busy cities.
Fortunately, Mitsubishi crossovers are a different story! With excellent handling and ample power, the Outlander and Eclipse Cross are ready to rise to any challenge. Sure, they won’t be able to keep up with sports cars on the highways, but they’ve got enough giddy-up to make your daily commute an enjoyable and stress-free ride.

What’s the best Mitsubishi?

At the end of the day, it’s up to you to choose your dream Mitsubishi. A bunch of factors—like cost, family size, and gas mileage—go into the decision. What we can do, though, is break down the best Mitsubishi for different types of drivers:
  • If you value affordability, go for the Mirage or
    Mirage G4
    ! With starting prices in the ballpark of $15,000, you’ll have a car you can count on without taking a hit to the wallet.
  • If you value fuel efficiency, go for the Outlander PHEV. Though you really can’t go wrong with any Mitsubishi, the PHEV is the only model with a hybrid engine, with a 24-mile all-electric range.
  • If you value luxury, go for an
    Outlander SEL
    . Equip it with the tech package to gain access to a panoramic sunroof, Bose audio system, and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster!

How to find affordable Mitsubishi insurance

There’s no doubt about it: an affordable ride like a Mitsubishi with a fantastic car insurance rate is a match made in heaven. You’ve got your eye on the Mitsubishi—now, how can you get the best car insurance?
That’s where
Jerry
comes in. It’s this simple: download the
trustworthy insurance shopping super app
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After you choose your favorite policy, our talented insurance team will take care of the paperwork and phone calls. Then, a celebration is in order: you just joined the team of Jerry drivers that saves an average of $887 each year on car insurance!
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is the future of car insurance! I downloaded the app, entered the information, picked my insurance rate, and paid my fee. I even switched insurance providers easily! Jerry saved me $182/month so quickly!” —Paulina F.
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FAQs

When it comes to affordability and fuel efficiency, Mitsubishi cars take the cake. If you want performance and better features, though, we’d suggest going for a tried-and-true Toyota.
Thanks to their roots in stellar Japanese engineering, Mitsubishis are long-lasting cars. If you take good care of it, your Mitsubishi should keep trucking along for many years to come.
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