Mitsubishi -- the only Japanese automaker with an Illinois plant -- is getting an early jump on the new model year with a revamped 2009 Galant mid-size sedan, which is currently arriving at dealerships.
I tested the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart, which is made with other Galants in the automaker's downstate Normal plant, which celebrates its 20th year of U.S. production this year. The Ralliart is the fastest, sexiest Galant, but it is often overlooked with other Galants in a world of mid-size Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords.
That's unfortunate because the Galant matches top class rivals in roominess and can hold its own in acceleration and handling, especially with the Ralliart. However, Toyota and Honda models have better resale values.
Mitsubishi is more innovative than some might think. Even in the early 1990s, it offered a Galant VR-4 sedan with a turbocharged/intercooled 195-horsepower four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and anti-lock disc brakes.
Mitsubishi is making a comeback after recovering from an overly generous buyer incentive program of a few years ago that left it with many deadbeat buyers. The automaker's 2007 combined car and truck sales in America rose to 128,993 vehicles despite last year's sluggish market from 118,558 units in 2006.
The Galant was the second best-selling Mitsubishi car or truck behind its compact Lancer auto last year, with Galant sales of 26,491 units. Sales of the Galant last month totaled 2,144 cars, making it the No. 1 Mitsubishi model so far this year.
Added to the Galant line for 2009 are a new four-cylinder $21,099 Sport Edition and $23,099 Sport V-6. The base Galant is the $21,099 four-cylinder ES, which replaces the 2007 DE sedan. The top-line Ralliart is priced at $27,299.
The new rigidly built, nicely painted Galants have slicker styling, more features and new option packages.
There are rakish new hood lines and a totally redesigned front end with a new grille and lower air intake. The car's sophisticated new lines are especially apparent in the rear three-quarter view. There's also wider rear glass, new taillight and back bumper treatment and a new trunk lid with a high-mounted stop light.
Interior materials have been given a needed upgrade.
The ES and Sport Edition models have a 2.4-liter, 160 horsepower engine. The Sport V-6 gets a 3.8-liter engine with 230 horsepower, and the Ralliart has a 3.8-liter V-6 with 258 horsepower.
Galants come with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, besides a five-year/60,00-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. There's also a long anti-corrosion warranty and five-year/unlimited mileage Roadside Assistance program.
Four-cylinder Galants provide acceptable acceleration, while V-6 versions are appreciably faster. The Ralliart is very quick, with a 0-60 mph time of about six seconds and no-sweat merging and passing on highways, where the engine loafs at highway speeds. It has lots of torque over a wide powerband for good response at all speeds.
Four-cylinder models have a four-speed automatic transmission, while the V-6 versions have a five-speed automatic. All transmissions have manual shift control, which worked well on my test Ralliart. However, the responsive five-speed automatic made that shift feature largely superfluous.
Estimated fuel economy ranges from 20 mpg in the city and 27 on highways for the four-cylinder in the ES to 16 and 25 for the Ralliart V-6. Four-cylinder models only need regular-grade gasoline, while the V-6s require premium fuel.
As for safety, all new Galants come with standard anti-lock brakes (missing from the 2008 DE), electronic brake force distribution, front side air bags and side curtain air bags. The V-6 models have a standard traction control system.
Mitsubishi wants to upgrade the image of Galants, so the Sport Edition has a standard power glass sunroof with sunshade, automatic climate control, heated front seats with a power driver's seat and automatic climate control. There also are steering wheel audio controls, 17-inch (up from 16-inch) aluminum wheels, heated outside mirrors and a color-keyed rear spoiler.
Even the entry ES has standard air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/CD system with MP3 CD playback capability, power windows, mirrors and locks with keyless entry and a power trunk release. But there's only a trunk access pass-through area to the back seat instead of folding rear seatbacks to increase cargo room.
The Sport V-6 has a more upscale sound system, Sirius satellite radio and stylish white gauges with black needles.
The Ralliart is the king-of-the-hill model. Besides its most potent engine, it has a sport suspension with front/rear stabilizer bars, larger brakes, wider (45-series) tires on larger 18-inch alloy wheels, aluminum trimmed pedals, special sport steering wheel with audio controls and red stitching and perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces.
For those seeking top Galant luxury with four-cylinder economy, the ES is offered with a $2,550 Sun, Sound and Leather option package containing such items as automatic climate control, leather-covered seats, heated front seats, glass sunroof, power driver's seat and upscale sound system.
The Ralliart's only factory option is a DVD-based navigation system, which works OK but absorbs and complicates audio controls.
Besides being the fastest Galant, the Ralliart has sharper handling. Its firm power steering is precise. Its ride also is firmer, allowing sharp bumps to be felt. The brake pedal is a tad soft, but has a linear action for consistently fast, smooth stops.
The quiet interior is roomy for four or five tall adults, with an especially spacious rear seat. Large outside door handles and wide door openings help provide easy entry. Front seats provide especially good side and thigh support, and black-on-white gauges can be quickly read.
Large climate controls can be easily used and front doors have fairly useful storage pockets. But power window controls on the driver's door are set back a bit too far, making it easy to occasionally open a rear window instead of a front one.
There's a fairly deep, covered front console bin, but it partly blocks one of the two console cupholders. Metallic trim surrounding climate controls looked good but caused some glare in sunlight. The large trunk has a wide, but rather high, opening. The lid, which raises smoothly on struts, has an interior lining to give it a finished look and a small interior handle to help close it. With more to offer, the 2009 Galant definitely should be on more mid-size car buyer shopping lists.
2009 MITSUBISHI GALANT
Prices: $21,099-$27,299
Likes: Roomy. Fast and agile Ralliart model. Good fit and finish. Impressive warranty.
Dislikes: No fold-down rear seatbacks. Rather high trunk opening. Firm Ralliart ride. |