Is mitsubishi a good car: Mitsubishi has a mixed reliability record, ranking in the lower half of brands, but still offers competitive models like the Outlander.
·The brand achieves middling ratings for reliability and cost of ownership, with low 5-year costs reported for some models.
·Safety and fuel efficiency vary by model. Some earn high safety ratings and awards, while others experience frequent issues, such as transmission failures.
·Despite some challenges, Mitsubishi models like the Outlander and Mirage are known for their affordability and safety, making them a viable option for some drivers.
Table of Contents
How Reliable Are Mitsubishi Cars?
·How Is Car Reliability Measured?
How Do Mitsubishis Perform?
·What Are Common Problems With Mitsubishis?
·What Are the Most Reliable Mitsubishi Cars?
Are Mitsubishis Good Cars?
·Is Mitsubishi Reliable? FAQ
·Stop Thinking
The international brand Mitsubishi began as a shipbuilding company in the late 1800s.
In addition, the emblem that Mitsubishi Motors still uses today symbolizes the three oak leaves of the Tosa clan, famous on the island of Shikoku.
Mitsubishi introduced its first car, the Model A, in 1917, but it did not enter the American market until 1971 under the name Dodge Colt.
With the trio of Tredia, Starion and Cordia, the brand secured a position in 1982 that it has not relinquished since.
How Reliable Are Mitsubishi Cars?
If you are curious about what it would be like to own a Mitsubishi, check out a FINN car subscription. FINN offers you the opportunity to test drive Mitsubishi’s product range for just six months.
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· The import brand is also suffering from the lack of consumer appeal it has lost due to the disposal of the Lancer platform, which is popular with enthusiasts.
How a Car’s Reliability Is Measured
A person’s reliability is often determined by their performance in several areas. This is no different with vehicles.
The following resources provide important information for determining vehicle reliability ratings, including Mitsubishi’s ratings:
- ·J.D. Power Reliability Awards
- ·FuelEconomy.gov Fuel Efficiency Ratings
- ·Average Repair Costs Reported by RepairPal
- ·Kelley Blue Book (KBB) 5-Year Costs
If you’re wondering how reliable BMW is, you can use these resources to find out how well the brand performs in various areas.
Whether you’re looking for a sports car, hatchback, sedan, or crossover, these resources are invaluable.
How do Mitsubishis perform?
Although this Japanese brand doesn’t have a name of its own in its lineup, Mitsubishi’s current models are getting mixed reviews from industry experts and consumers.
Read on to find out how Mitsubishi ranks in terms of operating costs, safety and fuel efficiency, reliability, and average repair costs.
1. Operating Costs
The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander won the KBB award for lowest operating costs in its segment. KBB estimated operating costs at $40,995 over five years.
These low operating costs are several thousand less than the 2020 Kia Sorento, KBB’s runner-up.
2. Reliability
J.D. Power was named by Mitsubishi in its 2023 U.S. Vehicle Reliability Study, where Mitsubishi even ranked ahead of Toyota in the study.
But in no segment has a Mitsubishi vehicle been able to outperform a Toyota counterpart.
The 2023 Outlander was named the 2023 Best Car of the Year by Money. Money also named the 2023 Mirage the Best Value Small Car.
Victory & Reseda named the 2023 Outlander Vehicle of the Year – a first for the company’s brand.
3. Fuel Efficiency
Of Mitsubishi’s limited lineup, the Mitsubishi Mirage has the best fuel economy: 36 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city and 43 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway.
The two-wheel-drive Outlander models get 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, while the Sport versions save one mpg on the highway.
4. Safety Features and Ratings
While While NHTSA has yet to test the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander, the IIHS has given it a “good” rating in all categories and a 2023 Top Safety Pick.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage received a “good” rating from the IIHS in two tests. However, in the “Small Front Overlap: Driver’s Side” test, it only received a “fair” rating.
The NHTSA gave the Mirage four out of five stars.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport received a similar rating of four out of five stars from the NHTSA and a “good” rating from the IIHS in two categories.
However, in the “Small Front Overlap: Driver’s Side” test, the model received an “Acceptable” rating.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross gets mixed reviews from the IIHS but a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
5. Average Repair Costs
RepairPal ranks Mitsubishi sixth out of 32 car brands in terms of reliability. This import brand receives four out of five stars and the average repair cost is $535.
Mitsubishi vehicles visit the repair shop on average 0.2 times per year, with a 12% probability of a major repair. The probability of a major repair is also 12% for all car brands.
What are common Mitsubishi problems Text block – Blog – Car Buying – Mitsubishi Reliability 1
While Mitsubishi is respectful with its recalls, the quick fixes often leave consumers wondering why the changes weren’t made sooner. Below are some common Mitsubishi problems.
1. Transmission Failure
The transmissions in the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander were also prone to failure. According to RepairPal, a replacement is often required to fix the problem.
2. Engine Problems
Mitsubishi powertrains have experienced many problems over the years. Some engines have stopped working due to a defective idle valve.
A loose or broken crankshaft pulley can cause problems, as can a faulty crankshaft sensor. Due to various factors, the engines in several Outlander models have also overheated.
3. Airbag Failure
The 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander was the most affected by this issue. It involved the airbag’s ability to deploy properly in the event of an accident.
This caused the airbag to not deploy as intended, which has raised concerns among owners.
While there have been no recalls, it’s worth checking the vehicle history report for your specific model and model year for indications of a replacement.
Which Mitsubishi cars are the most reliable?
If you already own a vehicle but want to know how to get out of your car loan and get behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi, these are the most reliable cars to test drive before you commit to a car.
Mitsubishi Outlander
When it comes to reliability, the Mitsubishi Outlander ranks 8th out of 26 compact SUVs in RepairPal’s reliability ratings.
The average repair cost for this SUV is $521 per year, which also requires an average of 0.3 shop visits. The severity of Outlander repairs is within a percentage of the ratings for a review
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
According to RepairPal, the Outlander Sport is one of the 10 best compact SUVs.
Repairing your Mitsubishi Outlander Sport will cost you just $498 per year, which is below the average for this segment and all car models.
However, this model has a 10 percent chance of needing major repairs, even though it only needs to be taken to the shop 0.3 times per year on average.
Mitsubishi Mirage
Despite a modest response, the Mitsubishi Mirage and Mirage G4 rank seventh out of 21 models in the small car segment, according to RepairPal.
The Mirage’s annual repair costs are about $457. That’s $1 more than the average repair cost in this segment and significantly less than the repair cost of all vehicles.
The Mirage reportedly only flies to the repair shop 0.1 times per
year, with a 9% chance of a major repair.
Are Mitsubishis good cars?
With proper care and maintenance, Mitsubishis can be great cars.
Mitsubishi scores highly for value and safety, but its reliability rating may be too much of a factor in its low price compared to other brands.
Mitsubishi shows that simplicity can be a disadvantage in many ways: in terms of technology, workmanship, and innovation, the brand lags behind its competitors.
Since the Mitsubishi Lancer and Lancer Evolution were discontinued, many car enthusiasts have sought their thrills elsewhere and haven’t returned.
Are Mitsubishis reliable? Frequently Asked Questions
Knowing how car loans work and how much your down payment should be for car insurance can play a role in your decision to buy a Hyundai, Nissan, Chevy, Ford, Lexus, Mazda, Volkswagen, or Mitsubishi.
The answers to the following questions can also influence your choice.
Are Mitsubishi cars safe?
Is Mitsubishi as reliable as Toyota or Honda?
Why are Mitsubishis unreliable?
Final Thoughts
Compared to other, more established brands on the market, Mitsubishi lags behind in reliability ratings and growth.
While Mitsubishi once offered several models in different segments, the Outlander and Mirage may be the last shining example for the import brand.
But the Outlander and Outlander Sport make up for the low usage in Mitsubishi’s stable by having just enough appeal to keep customers. Have fun tying the knot.
If you want to test drive a Mitsubishi before you buy, check out a FINN Auto subscription.
When you subscribe to a FINN vehicle, you decide which model you want to drive, from features and color to the conditions that suit your schedule.
Your monthly subscription fee also includes registration, depreciation, maintenance and insurance, making it easy for you to budget for the cost of the car.
