2004 Mitsubishi Galant Review

The redesigned, Illinois-built Mitsubishi Galant is all grown up with the arrival of the larger, more powerful 2004 model. The 2003 Galant was a compact car, but the sleeker looking Galant gets mid-size dimensions.

The Galant goes on sale late this month and will mainly compete with the top-selling Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima in the hotly contested mid-size family sedan market.

Previous Galants were decent, but also too small, too bland or too unusual for the mainstream sedan market. You once could even get a turbocharged four-wheel-drive version that seemed one step away from a rally-race car — no recipe for success in a conservative sedan market.

Prices haven’t been released for the new front-drive Galant, but Mitsubishi said they’ll range from “under $18,000’’ to “less than $26,000’’ for the car’s four versions, which begin with the entry DE and then go to the higher-line ES, LS and top-line GTS. I tested the LS.

All versions have sleeker styling with Mitsubishi’s split front-end treatment that sort of gives it a Pontiac front look.

Even the DE is pretty well equipped, with air conditioning, AM/FM/CD audio system, remote keyless entry, rear defroster and power windows, locks and mirrors. Sun visors have extenders — a thoughtful touch. However, no Galant has side curtain air bags.

The ES features include cosmetic upgrades such as a sport mesh grille, color-keyed outside mirrors and titanium accent dashboard trim, along with optional anti-lock brakes. The LS has a specially tuned suspension to accompany the potent V-6, traction control and standard anti-lock brakes.

The GTS is the sexiest version, with racy looking 17-inch alloy wheels (vs. 16-inch for other models) with performance tires, parabolic fog lights and a rear spoiler. The interior has leather seats, titanium and simulated wood accent trims, front side-impact air bags and upgraded 270-watt audio system, which is optional for the ES and LS.

The 2004 Galant has a 108.3-inch wheelbase, which has grown 4.6 inches between axles for a better ride and more room. The car is 2.8 inches longer overall, 3.9 inches wider and 2.2 inches higher, besides being more rigidly built.

The Galant looks, feels and drives bigger than it is. That’s been the ticket for higher sales for the Altima, which was an also-ran when it was smaller and less powerful before being redone for 2002. However, there’s evidence of cost-cutting with the new Galant when you look at some interior materials and the rough interior trunk lid, which at least has a pull-down handle. (Why not give that interior lid some sort of covering?)

Horsepower of the Galant’s refined 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine has been raised from 140 to 160, and the rating for its smooth new 3.8-liter V-6 is a hearty 230 horsepower —up from 195 developed by the previous 3-liter V-6. The Galant now has the largest V-6 in its class, which gives it the most torque.

The DE and ES have the four-cylinder, while the LS and GTS get the V-6. Acceleration with the four-cylinder engine is adequate for the 3,351-pound car, as it moves the Galant to 60 mph in a respectable 9.2 seconds. Mitsubishi expects most buyers will opt for the ES four-cylinder model, but the V-6’s extra power and torque make the car considerably faster for easier merging and passing. The LS with the V-6 is expected to be the most popular V-6 version.

Both engines work with a four-speed automatic transmission instead of a more modern five-speed unit available for the Camry and Accord. However, it’s a responsive transmission that has a manual-shift feature when hooked to the V-6.

The four-cylinder engines provide an estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 on highways, while the V-6 figures are 19 and 27 with the LS and 18 and 26 with the GTS.

The Galant really isn’t a sports sedan, although it feels a lot like one if not pushed hard. It has quick steering with nice on-center feel, a firm-but-supple ride and easily modulated brake pedal.

Oversized outside door handles are easily grasped, and four tall adults easily fit in the quiet interior. There’s room for five, except the center of the rear seat is too hard. The front seats are very large and comfortable, with good support. Gauges are easily read, and audio and climate system controls are commendably large.

The trunk is large, with a low wide opening for easy loading, but a structural brace prevents rear seatbacks from folding forward to increase cargo room.

The new Galant is a good alternative to top-selling mid-size sedans, which is something that can be said of it for the first time.

2004 MITSUBISHI GALANT
Prices:
Approximately $18,000 to $26,000.

Likes:
Significant new design. Larger. More powerful. Roomier. Fast with V-6.

Dislikes:
No folding rear seatbacks. No curtain side air bags. Evidence of some cost-cutting.