Many people think that Mitsubishi is a relative newcomer to the automotive market. In truth, the company itself has been around for more than 150 years now. Though it wasn’t an automobile manufacturer at first, it entered the industry more than a century ago. In 1982, Mitsubishi brought its vehicles to America soil, originally making them available via 70 dealerships in 22 states. That was the beginning of the company’s rise to fame in the United States. At this point, it’s among the nation’s, and the world’s, most popular brands.
Over time, Mitsubishi has developed a stellar reputation for customer service. It also gets high marks where engineering and innovation are concerned. This manufacturer is known for producing affordable vehicles and giving buyers ample value for their money. All that being said, a few unpleasant misconceptions about the brand are also circulating at this point. If you’re planning to visit a mitsubishi dealer in the near future, the experts are here to debunk those myths and tell you the truth behind them.
1) Myth: Mitsubishis Have Low Resale Values
One of the most common myths about Mitsubishis is that they have low resale values. All automotive brands have certain vehicles in their lineups that just don’t hold their value well. On the other hand, some brands have models that maintain their value exceptionally well. Mitsubishi is no exception.
Truth
Some Mitsubishi models do have high resale values, including the Outlander and the Outlander PHEV. Older Lancer Evolution models fall into that category too. The Eclipse Cross, Mirage G4, and ASX also tend to maintain their value as long as they’re taken care of. Mitsubishi’s electric and hybrid models are effectively holding their value as well.
2) Myth: Mitsubishi No Longer Makes Performance Vehicles
One of Mitsubishi’s claims to fame was its presence in the performance vehicle market. Some of the high-performance models the company produced in the past were the 3000GT VR-4, Lancer Evolution, Galant VR-4, and Eclipse. Those vehicles were highly popular in their time, but they were eventually discontinued. That led many people to think that Mitsubishi no longer makes high-performance vehicles at all.
Truth
In reality, the company is still producing high-performance cars. For one, the company offers its special-edition RALLIART trims on some of its popular models, such as the Outlander and Eclipse Cross. They also incorporate elements of their rally expertise into many of their other vehicles. At the same time, the company has largely shifted its focus toward electric and hybrid vehicle performance.
3) Myth: Mitsubishi Vehicles Feel Cheaply Built
It’s true that some of Mitsubishi’s earlier vehicles had a few quality issues. That doesn’t include its first vehicles from the early 1900s. They were hand built and among the highest quality of their time. Because of that, they were fairly expensive. It wasn’t until Mitsubishi fully embraced mass production that certain quality concerns came into play. That was short-lived, though.
Truth
Now, Mitsubishi has built a long-standing reputation for quality. Its vehicles are well made, and their interiors feature far better materials and finishes. On top of that, the company offers an array of premium options on higher trim levels. At this point, its vehicles are undeniably on par with its closest competitors.
4) Myth: Mitsubishis are Unreliable
Finally, there’s a rumor going around that Mitsubishis are unreliable. Some of their vehicles had a few reliability issues in the early 2000s. That’s probably where this myth came from.
Truth
Nowadays, Mitsubishi is known for its reliability along with several other strong suits. The company has continuously improved upon its earlier flaws and perfected its engineering and manufacturing. As such, it has risen through the ranks to receive high reliability ratings. Furthermore, Mitsubishi offers one of the longest powertrain warranties in the industry.
Choosing Mitsubishi Over Its Competitors
Today, Mitsubishi has a solid reputation for quality, reliability, technology, and many other traits. It offers an array of vehicles from coupes and sedans to hatchbacks, crossovers, and SUVs. They have models to suit all needs and preferences. With the facts separated from fiction, you can visit a local dealership and find the one that speaks to you.
