Overview
In the 1980s the Mitsubishi Galant was known for its sportydynamic in both styling and ride. Unfortunately, for most of the past twodecades, the Galant has spiraled downward. The current-generation Galant wasintroduced in 2004, and perhaps the Galant misplaced the memo about it being2012, because styling hasn't progressed much since then.
Considering that we're now on our third Toyota Camry sincethe current Galant was introduced, it's not surprising that Mitsubishi's delayin updating the Galant's style has translated into low sales figures, and it'snot on many shopping lists these days. A meek 2.4-liter inline-4 engine offersa back-of-the-pack 160 horsepower, and its ancient four-speed automatictransmission isn't helping the Galant's case either.
Still, Mitsubishi continues to throw the Galant out andwatch to see who, if anyone will bite. If the Galant has positive attributes,it'd be the spacious interior. And the fact that you can probably get a killerprice from Mitsubishi dealers anxious to get rid of the car.
The Range
Body style: Sedan
Engine: 2.4-liter inline-4
Transmission: four-speed automatic
Models: ES, SE
What's New
The Galant receives no new changes for 2012 after adding theSE trim and leather as an option for the 2011 model year.
Exterior
The Galant can be dressed in either ES or SE models, withfeatures varying on each model. The base ES gets 16-inch steel wheels and notmuch more outside while the SE has a few more toys, but not too many.Eighteen-inch wheels and a sunroof are the most noticeable exterior features.The current styling dates back to a mild revision from the 2009 model year, butthree years later it looks dated.
Interior
Step inside the Galant's interior and it becomes evidenteverything is outdated. If a center console dunked in silver paint is wrong theGalant doesn't want to be right. A dated sound system and controls aren't good,either. A steering wheel that doesn't telescope is the least of this sedan'sworries. However it isn't all doom and gloom inside the Galant as real estateisn't an issue. The seats are also quite comfortable and trunk space on justone shot under par with the rest of the segment.
Performance & Handling
A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is the Galant's only optionfor motivation and comes paired with a four-speed automatic gearbox. The sleepyengine is rated at 160 horsepower and falls far behind competition in thesegment. The EPA tabs fuel economy at a respectable 21 mpg in city driving and30 mpg on the highway.
Safety
Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes, frontside and side curtain airbags, and stability control. Since 2007 the Galant hasreceived a score of "good" in crash testing conducted by theInstitute of Insurance for Highway Safety. Source: automotive.com