2002 Mitsubishi Galant Review

Mitsubishi's Galant is a low-budget sleeper. The Illinois-built car long was largely overlooked in the ultra competitive family sedan market until revamped for 1999 with smoother styling, a roomier interior and its first available V-6. The refined Galant suddenly found itself on shopping lists of more mid-size sedan buyers. It has stayed virtually the same since 1999, but the revised 2002 model provides a more attractive alternative to Galant rivals. The front-drive Galant is the top-selling model from innovative Mitsubishi.

But it's lagged far behind the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Taurus; they're the mid-size sedan sales leaders from considerably larger automakers that have far more promotional dollars to spread around. However, the Galant's sporty image, reputation for reliability and overall competence has drawn many younger buyers, who are coveted by all car producers.

The new Galant hasn't been extensively changed. It still looks conservative enough not to scare off traditional mid-size sedan buyers. But its revised front/rear styling gives it a sportier look, with such items as a new grille and color-keyed aero type bumpers. Also new are items such as 16-inch aluminum wheels, seat trim and an AM/FM stereo/single play CD faceplate.

Mechanical changes include larger front disc brakes for four-cylinder models, the addition of optional anti-lock brakes for the ES model and an emergency inside trunk release. A new LS model with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine has a standard sunroof and upscale Mitsubishi/Infiniti sound system, besides availability of optional leather interior trim. That $21,117 LS costs $1,700 less than the $22,817 LS model with a V-6 engine.

Mitsubishi sees that 75 percent of buyers of the top-selling Camry opt for a four-cylinder. It thus is pushing for higher Galant sales by providing such an engine and added equipment for the more upscale LS. Galant models start with the $17,707 four-cylinder DE and end with the $24,157 GTZ V-6 sports sedan. In the middle are $18,517-$22,817 ES and LS models.

Major options for various Galants include $610 anti-lock brakes, an $810 power sunroof and a $310 All Weather package with a traction control system and heated side mirrors. There's also a $1,118 Premium Leather package containing leather seats and a power drivers seat. Both the 140-horsepower four-cylinder and 3-liter, 195-horsepower V-6 are sophisticated, with overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. They work with a four-speed automatic transmission, which delivers smooth up shifts and fast downshifts. It always seems to be in the right gear.

But too bad that the GTZ, which has items such as a sport suspension, isn't offered with a manual transmission. Mitsubishi dropped the manual in 1989 after finding few wanted it, but a growing number of automakers are offering manuals again for certain models to give them a sportier image. The smooth V-6 provides strong acceleration and has better mid-range responsiveness than the four-cylinder for faster acceleration at highway speeds. It provides lively acceleration and has balance shafts that rid it of much of a four-cylinders typical vibration. It's one of the smoothest four-cylinder engines in its class.

Fuel economy is decent with all Galants an estimated 20-21 mpg in the city and 27-28 on the highway. That's partly because the car isn't overweight, at 3,031 to 3,296 pounds. The Galant is fun to drive. It has fast steering with decent road feel, agile handling and a smooth ride. The brake pedal is a little soft but has a nice progressive action to enable short, sure stops. The quiet interior has easily read gauges and smooth, fairly big controls within easy reach. There's room for four tall adults.

However, leg room gets tight for a tall passenger sitting behind a long-legged driver who moves his seat back to get a good distance from the steering wheel. Three can fit fairly comfortably in back if on the thin side because the center of the rear seat doesn't have the stiffness found in that area of most back seats. Rear windows roll all the way down. The big trunk has a low, wide opening, although the taillights can get in the way when loading awkwardly shaped cargo.

The Galant feels satisfyingly solid. But its trunk lid feels flimsy and has an unfinished interior look and manual hinges that eat into cargo space. Most models have a folding rear seatback to enlarge the cargo area. The hood has an old-fashioned prop rod, but the engine compartment is surgically neat, with easily reached fluid filler areas. The Galant is a long way from being a household word like the Camry, Accord or Taurus. But it's a sound alternative to top-selling mid-size sedans.

2002 MITSUBISHI GALANT

Prices
$17,707-$24,157
Likes
Sharper styling. Crisp handling. Strong V-6. Refined. Responsive automatic transmission.
Dislikes
Trunk lid feels flimsy. Limited legroom behind tall driver. Resale value below that of better-known rivals.