2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Review

While it has a base model that is supposed to compete with the Toyota Camry, the all-new Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart is the high-end incarnation of a mid-size sedan that puts a whole lot of emphasis behind horsepower and style and a little less behind comfort. When you look as good as the Ralliart does - it's easy to forgive some shortcomings.

Few trim levels in a sedan offer the range the Mitsubishi Galant has created. The 2009 Galant gets a complete overhaul and the stylish exterior design sets a tone for a pretty serviceable sedan that really wants to have fun. From the base model function all the way up to fashionable looks, Galant is a good combination of unique looks and midsize sedan space.

I really like the new 17-inch wheels on the Galant These four rims, along with the rakish hood and lower air intake grille, really make the sedan look more extreme than many others in the class. New taillamps and bumpers accent the back end with the addition of a great-looking deck lid with center-mounted light. Each of the trim levels features this stylish exterior statement.

The Galant has four trim levels: ES, Sport Edition, Sport, and Ralliart. In addition to the trim levels, Mitsubishi offers up three performance levels: 2.4-liter four-cylinder (160 horsepower and 157 pound-feet of torque) delivering 20 city mpg  and 27 highway mpg; two 24-valve, 3.8-liter V-6 engines, each uniquely tuned, round out the choices. Each of the models has a five-speed automatic transmission.

The Ralliart V-6 was rated at 258 horsepower. Mated to a five-speed automatic with Sportronic, shifting was made a bit more fun. Look for EPA ratings on the Ralliart of 16 city mpg and 25 highway mpg.

While you hope you never really need it or ever see it, safety is one of the more impressive features in the Galants. My model cam with curtain airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, dual-stage front airbags, anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, tire pressure monitoring system and traction control.

Outside the Ralliart, you get the full racing treatment. A color-keyed rear spoiler, projector headlights, cool fog lamps, a two-tone rear bumper and the official Ralliart badging round out the high-end treatment for Ralliart owners.

Inside the Ralliart tester was a roomy cabin easily able to seat five passengers. With lots of black hues pulling the design together, I really got the male-orientated thing going on here and it worked well for me. Black leather seating, a high-contrast white on black dash as well as dark door panels create a sporty emphasis that carries over from the exterior.

A big power glass sunroof opens up the cabin while the standard issue 360-watt Rockford Acoustic eight-speaker audio system does its best to keep you there. Giving me the option of six-disc player as well as Sirius Satellite Radio, there is little reason to worry about not having great tunes in transit.

Centered and easily seen in the dash configuration is the 7-inch LCD screen for the navigation system. This $1,500 option delivers DVD-based navigation and a points-of-interest locator.

The alloy pedals are not something that comes into sight all the time, but it does create another extension of the "Racing" persona in the Ralliart badge. Helping make the exterior attitude more than just window dressing, Ralliart has 18-inch rims and a sport-tuned suspension.

I found the ride quality to be a bit too bumpy for my back and the sport seats, while totally cool looking had a little less side bolstering than I expected. From the performance side of things, the heavy curb weight (3,726 pounds) makes maneuvering a bit sluggish while the front-wheel-drive format definitely delivers some minimal torque steer.

My Ralliart tester had a base price of $27,299. The lone option was the $1,500 navigation package (well worth the mark up). Final charges brought the 2009 Galant Ralliart to $29,424.