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Mitsubishi Galant - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Mitsubishi Galant ranks 19 out of 24 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 57 published reviews and test drives of the Mitsubishi Galant, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Mitsubishi Galant has never been as refined as the top sedans in its class. Reviewers consistently cite its cheap interior materials and build quality as reasons to look past it. Mitsubishi has significantly trimmed the Galant lineup for 2010, offerings fewer trim levels and options. A planned redesign may make the 2011 model worth a look, but the 2010 will not be the best choice for many buyers.

Researching the 2010 Mitsubishi Galant, we find it hard to resist the urge to give Mitsubishi a grade of Incomplete. The company reportedly flirted with not building it at all, ultimately deciding to eliminate several trim levels. Mitsubishi has focused its efforts on smaller cars, putting most of its design and marketing energy behind the small Lancer and the upcoming i-MiEV electric subcompact. The Galant, meanwhile, has been left to age. 

The Galant hasn’t been redesigned since 2004, making it one of the most dated entries in the competitive midsize car class. A mild update for 2009 did little to make it more competitive but Mitsubishi still hasn’t told the press when a new Galant might arrive – and this one is out of date. 

For 2010, Mitsubishi eliminated the sporty Ralliart and Sport trims from the Galant stable, and dropped an available V6 engine. That leaves the Galant with just a standard four-cylinder powerplant. That isn’t necessarily a problem -- many reviewers recommend that affordable midsize sedan buyers focus their attention on four-cylinder cars, since the added expense and lower fuel-economy of a V6 are rarely worthwhile at this price point. But reviewers say Mitsubishi’s four cylinder is less powerful and refined than the four-cylinders offered by many competitors.

You might expect a car with that list of faults to be inexpensive. But the Galant suffers from a surprisingly high MSRP as well. Four-cylinder editions of the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima and Subaru Legacy -- all cars that consistently outperform the Galant in our rankings -- can all be found for less than $20,000. Even the least-expensive Galant is priced above $21,500. 

The Galant still has virtues. It offers solid safety scores and a comfortable, predictable ride that won’t intrude much on your daily commute. But reviewers say it suffers from sub-par build quality and cheap interior materials, and a lack of power. At a time when most affordable midsize cars are available at a significant discount, buyers will want to test drive class-leaders like the Fusion and Camry before committing money to a Galant.

The Galant is offered in two trim levels. The basic ES model comes with a six-speaker stereo and six-way power adjustable driver’s seat. A slightly more upscale SE adds a touchscreen navigation system, a more powerful stereo and satellite radio, but also adds significantly to the car’s price.

• "Mitsubishi offers a mainstream sedan, but who knew? The soft ride and the roomy interior make it perfect for the rental fleets, but the Galant lacks the personality to attract attention away from the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry."-- Car and Driver
• “Galant matches the midsize-class leaders for roominess and interior comfort, and holds its own in acceleration and handling. These sedans lag in mechanical refinement, solidity, interior materials, and assembly quality. Yes, Galant typically sells for less than its rivals, but that's offset by Mitsubishi's lower resale values.” -- Consumer Guide
• "With its roomy cabin, enjoyable driving demeanor and impressive crash test scores, the…Mitsubishi Galant is a family sedan with spirit and style. However, when compared to its more illustrious chief rivals, the Galant fades into the background as it's lacking in practicality, build quality and a few key features." -- Edmunds

Galant Performance - 8.0 (Very Good)

The Mitsubishi Galant is a predictable commuter car, but far from an enthusiast’s performance machine. In fact, for 2010 Mitsubishi has dropped all sporting pretensions with this car, eliminating the high-performance Ralliart trim that had won praise in previous editions of the car, and dropping a V6 engine from the Galant lineup entirely. The Galant is now offered only as a comfortable family car with no particular appeal to driving enthusiasts. Read More

Galant Exterior - 7.5 (Good)

The Mitsubishi Galant has changed little since its last redesign in 2004. Its design was refreshed with subtle changes last year, but they weren’t enough for most reviewers -- leaving the 2010 edition a dated, anonymous-looking car that impresses few reviewers. Car and Driver says "we wonder if something could have been done to make it look more like the Lancer we love and less like a previous-generation Nissan Altima in front, or a Chrysler Sebring from behind." Read More

Galant Interior - 7.8 (Good)

Mitsubishi designers have done a good job building a distinctive, contemporary-looking cabin. But reviewers say the Galant is hurt by some cheap cabin materials. “With a cascading center stack, blue backlighting, white-faced gauges and metallic accents, the Galant's cabin is stylish in a contemporary way,” Edmunds writes, “Unfortunately, the Galant suffers from the typical Mitsubishi trait of some subpar interior materials quality.”  Read More

Galant Safety - 9.3 (Excellent)

The Galant earns good scores in government crash tests, and while the insurance industry hasn’t published crash test results for the 2010 Galant, the mechanically-similar 2009 edition earned excellent safety scores from the Institute as well.  Read More

Galant Reliability - 7.0 (Good)

The 2010 Mitsubishi Galant reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). Warranty coverage is one of the Galant’s strongest selling points. Mitsubishi protects Galant buyers with a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty -- one of the longer warranties in the affordable midsize car class. The Galant also has a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is far longer than most competitors offer. Read More