1999 Mitsubishi Galant Review

Mitsubishi has a fighting chance to make a noticeable dent in the fiercely competitive mid-size sedan market with its revamped 1999 Galant--especially because the car finally offers a powerful V-6.

Mitsubishi was on the cutting technical edge with the 1991 Galant VR-4 model, which had a 195-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and a bunch of electronic gizmos.

But the VR-4 soon was dropped and the Galant lacked the quality and promotional firepower enjoyed by rivals such the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

While gradually improved, the Galant has been a second-string player, partly because of its bland styling and a four-cylinder. It's been just another underpromoted, highly dependable Japanese car.

Mitsubishi hopes to change all that with the 1999 Galant, which is built in Illinois. The front-drive sedan has the same 107.3-inch wheelbase of the 1998 model, but is slightly longer, wider and taller. A roomier interior moves it from the compact to the mid-size class.

New styling features such as a bold grille, chiseled fenders, sweeping roofline and tailored lines give the highly aerodynamic Galant a more muscular, upscale appearance reminiscent of the automaker's Diamante luxury sedan.

The nicely painted Galant's stiffer construction gives it a solid feel and helps allow the all-independent suspension to provide a smooth ride.

Also new is the interior, which is the work of Mitsubishi's California design center. The dashboard has been lowered to provide more forward visibility and to give the interior an airy feel. The thick steering wheel is easily gripped, and most controls are easy to reach and work smoothly. But inside door handles look marginal and should be replaced with chromed ones.

The $16,990-$24,350 Galant comes in four models with various levels of equipment, luxury and sportiness. They range from the base DE to the high-performance GTZ, which has the new V-6, sport suspension, leather interior, special instrumentation and rear spoiler.

The $17,990 ES four-cylinder and $19,990 ES V-6 are expected to account for most Galant sales. But even the entry model DE has standard air conditioning, AM/FM/cassette and power windows and door locks.

There seemingly is a Galant for everyone, which should enhance sales. A variety of models helped make the Camry and Accord highly popular.

The Galant's overhead-camshaft, 2.4-liter four-cylinder's power has risen from 141 to 145, and vibration-damping balance shafts keep it a smooth, above-average motor.

The Galant's 3-liter V-6 also is found in the Mitsubishi Montero sport/utility vehicle and generates 195 horsepower and signficant torque.

While the four-cylinder will be fine for many Galant buyers, the smooth, quiet V-6 establishes the 1999 Galant as a major player against cars such as the Camry, Accord, Ford Taurus and Oldsmobile Alero. It whisks this Mitsubishi from 0 to 60 m.p.h. in 8.1 seconds and provides plenty of performance for safe merging and passing.

Transmissions are a decent five-speed manual and efficient four-speed automatic. The automatic works especially well with the V-6, although it's calibrated more for smoothness than performance. Crisper shifts would be appreciated.

Galant steering is quicker in V-6 models. And those models have all-disc brakes, while four-cylinder models have a less-efficient front disc/rear drum brake setup.

Handling of even lower-line models is good, but the GTZ provides the most athletic moves.

There is good room for four tall adults in the quiet interior, where large front seats offer above-average side support during spirited driving. The rear seat feels almost too firm, although its center section is reasonably comfortable during short trips.

There is good attention to detail. For instance, a floor hook firmly holds the driver-side floor mat in place so it doesn't eventually bunch up under the pedals, and a hefty raised area on the floor allows a driver to rest his left foot during long journeys.

A long, deep trunk offers plenty of room for even awkwarldy shaped cargo.

High-rigidity side members, roof reinforcement, side sills, door frames and side guard door beams provide a steel structure around the interior, allowing for improved safety in off-set crashes and side impacts. Side air bags mounted in the front seats also are offered.

The Galant long has needed features to make it stand out in the crowded family sedan market. It finally has them, and Mitsubishi is using innovative advertising to promote the car. Let's see what happens.