2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Review

PROS  Ample passenger and cargo room, Sporty handling, Powerful V6 engine

CONS  Large turning radius, Mediocre fuel economy, Ho-hum interior materials

Often forgotten among the midsize ranks is the Mitsubishi Galant. That's understandable as Galant only recently joined the club with a 2003 redesign. That model's dimensions  grew from a traditional compact car to full midsize car. For 2009, Mitsubishi freshens Galant, giving it new front and rear styling and an updated interior.

Galant remains a front-drive, four-door sedan that competes with vehicles like the Chevy Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, Saturn Aura, and Toyota Camry. Four models are offered: ES, Sport Edition, Sport V6, and Ralliart.

ES and Sport Editions come with a 160-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Sport V6 comes with a 230-horsepower 3.8-liter V6, while Ralliart models get a 258-horsepower version of that engine. Four-cylinder models get a four-speed automatic and V6 models get a five-speed automatic.

Standard safety equipment includes antilock four-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, and dual-front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. Traction control is standard on V6 models. Stability control and park assist are not offered.

ES models list for $21,249 and include air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, trunk pass-through, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, rear defogger, floormats, theft-deterrent system, and 215/60HR16 tires. Sport Edition models also list for $21,249 and get sunroof and rear spoiler.

The $23,249 Sport V6 adds automatic climate control, heated front seats, power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, heated power mirrors, Rockford Acoustic Design AM/FM radio with in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, satellite radio, steering wheel radio controls, Bluetooth cell-phone link, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, fog lights, 215/55R17 tires, and alloy wheels.

The line-topping Ralliart lists for $27,499 and adds leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, trip computer, sport suspension, and 235/45VR18 tires. A $1500 navigation system is available on the Ralliart. Other options include a cargo organizer and iPod adaptor. 

Galant is manufactured in Mitsubishi's Diamond-Star Motors plant in Normal, Illinois. All models carry a $695 destination charge.

Get Up and Go  The Ralliart's V6 is plenty potent. The engine provides ample scoot away from stoplights and impressive passing power. With the high-output V6, Galant Raliart easily races from zero to sixty mph in less than seven seconds. The five-speed automatic upshifts smoothly and downshifts promptly when drivers call for more power.

With so much power on hand, Ralliart sometimes scrambles for traction when accelerating from a stop. There's also a bit of torque-steer when accelerating around corners.

Galant Ralliart is EPA rated at 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Those numbers are slightly lower than class leaders and the V6 requires premium-grade gasoline. Routine driving is likely to yield 19 mpg, and extended highway trips should net better than 22 mpg.

On the Road  Galant rides with more firmness than traditional midsize cars but none of the harshness of sport-tuned sedans. ES, Sport Edition, and Sport have equal doses of bump absorption and overall composure. Ralliart models have a firmer suspension that deletes some of the float that's present in lesser models but also adds a fair amount of busyness.

Conversely, Ralliart models hold the road with the most confidence, though all models are more composed than you'd expect. Steering is firm and accurate and the brakes have good stopping power. When pushed, all models feel too nose heavy to be called athletic.

Galants interior isn't as quiet as class leaders Malibu or Camry, but noise levels are certainly within acceptable limits. Ralliart has more tire and exhaust noise that would be considered acceptable in a standard midsize sedan. However, given it's sporty nature, neither are out of place.

Behind the Wheel  Galant's interior lags behind class leaders in overall refinement and fit and finish. Materials are appropriate for the price but no better. Thankfully, switch gear is thoughtfully arranged and well placed for easy use. Especially pleasing are the simple dials for the climate control system. Ordering the optional navigation system brings slightly muddled audio controls and a display screen that washes out in bright sunlight.

Front seats are well cushioned and offer ample support. Head and leg room are generous. Drive comfort would be increased if Mitsubishi added a telescoping option to the tilt steering wheel. Outward visibility is good to the front and sides, but somewhat obstructed by the tall rear deck.

Rear seats are adult roomy and fairly comfortable. Taller adults will want a bit more head room and the seat cushions are a little soft. Thankfully, Galant's plenty wide to seat three kids across.

Galant's trunk is roomy and nicely shaped. However, it suffers from a smallish opening and high liftover. In addition, the rear seats don't fold. There is a small center pass-through, but it's really only useful for very tall and skinny items. Interior storage is average.

Bottom Line  Galant's 2003 redesign helped it match class leaders for roominess and performance. This year's freshening goes a long way toward helping bridge the refinement gap. However, the improvement isn't quite enough as Galant still lacks the polish of class leaders like the Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry.

Galant's strong suit is an attractive bottom line. Pound-for-pound and feature-for-feature Galant costs thousands less than most rivals. That's an attractive selling point in today's economy. Throw in a very strong warranty and Galant can be a tempting competitor.