Quick Test: 2008 Mitsubishi Galant Sport Edition
Despite a recent facelift, there’s simply no getting around the fact that the Mitsubishi Galant is at least a generation behind most of its competitors. It’s by far the oldest — first released in late 2003 — and in the intervening years, the competition has moved on.
Only the newly released Avenger has a four-speed auto transmission like the Mitsu’s, and none in this class is powered by an iron-block single-cam engine.
While it certainly isn’t fair to say that old equals bad, the Galant does put up some pretty bad numbers, including power-to-weight ratio, EPA fuel-economy rating, and recorded real-world fuel economy (21.2 mpg).
It ain’t all bad: Despite the retro tech and tarted-up styling, our editors found a few features to compliment — though some came out a bit back-handed:
“This car has a fabulous backseat — oodles of foot room, terrific thigh support, nice armrests, and plenty of head, leg, and shoulder room,” raves technical director Frank Markus. “The seats are good, but the interior is down-market in this field,” says senior editor Ron Kiino. “Much of the plastic is cheap-looking.”
Associate editor Allyson Harwood concurs, “Black, marble-like plastic shifter surround looks nice, but creates an awful glare when the sun hits it.” The Galant feels merely mediocre — low on content and even menial comforts like a telescoping steering wheel.
Dynamically, the Galant is even less stunning. Often, poor mileage numbers indicate an excess of horsepower or mass (or both). In this case, weight is the culprit, as the Galant weighs in at 3413 lb. No surprise then the Galant fared poorly in our acceleration tests.
When it does get going, the Galant’s “Sportronic” transmission runs through all four forward speeds with acceptable alacrity, kicking down gamely for hillclimb and passing situations.
“Engine and trans sound thrashy, but oddly, in a way that implies sportiness and fun, rather than being cheap or low quality,” says Harwood.”
Handling numbers are a touch better, but it takes a ghastly 133-ft to stop from 60 mph. Subjective impressions match the data: “Steering is slow to respond to input and isn’t very precise,” says Harwood. Kiino adds, “Ride and handling isn’t much better.”
So are there any Hail Mary saving graces for the Mitsubishi? A couple. All Mitsubishis come with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Then there’s this little gem — the Galant’s not selling particularly well. In May of 2008, Mitsubishi only moved 2783 Galants, compared with 13,620 Hyundai Sonatas and a ridiculous 51,291 Toyota Camrys. What does this mean to you? Well, if you like exclusivity and find the Galant charming, your local dealership will likely be willing to cut you a great deal. That’s how it goes for the cars time forgot.
Just ask Kiino, who sums up the Galant this way: “Not a sedan I hate in any way, but there’s nothing I love, either. The next-gen Galant, which will ride on a stretched Lancer platform, needs to arrive, um, yesterday.”
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