Introduction

The Mitsubishi Diamante is a rare gem, a comfortable, gracious sedan that delivers more than its price promises. With its sleek styling, roomy, first-class cabin and powerful V6 engine, the Diamante rivals luxury sedans costing thousands of dollars more. A new hood, grille and decklid give the Diamante a more distinctive look for 2002.

Walkaround

Mitsubishi Diamante's styling has an appealing freshness. Its aerodynamic shape results in an extremely low drag coefficient of 0.28. The Diamante's stance is a dynamic forward lunge. Its body contours are muscular and handsomely molded, with the greenhouse set off by a spare, tasteful perimeter of chrome. A twin-nostril grille has become part of the Diamante's identity. This feature had faded into understatement on recent editions, but it's back and bold for 2002. A businesslike under-grille intake adds a serious demeanor.

Interior Features

The Mitsubishi Diamante features a handsome and functional driving environment. It includes every appointment expected of a modern luxury sedan. The LS model spreads wood lavishly on the dash, console and all four doors. No one could complain that Mitsubishi has held back. Diamante's instrumentation is composed of excellent analog dials, including a mechanical odometer, which is becoming a rarity in this digital age. The windshield wipers offer three fixed speeds plus an infinitely adjustable intermittent range, another rarity, even among luxury cars. The steering wheel adjusts for tilt, but does not telescope. The turn signal stalk includes a textured switch for the fog lights; it's not at all intuitive, but you do get used to it in time. Unfortunately, there is no dash light to indicate when the fog lights are on. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system features a neat graphic readout in the center of the dash, showing the temperature you've set, and where the air is going (to the defroster, for example, or the foot-level vents). It even displays the outside temperature. But the fresh air vs. recirculation symbols are confusing. Temperature settings are conveniently selected with a radial knob. Elsewhere on the dash and console are controls for the Infinity premium audio with CD, as well as cupholders galore, two in front and two in the rear. The double-jointed lid on the center console tips to either side, allowing easy access for both driver and passenger. That's a clever touch. Optional front seat heaters make driving pleasant in the winter. The LS driver's seat adjusts eight ways under power, with intuitive analog controls. The Diamante is also one of the few cars whose headrests adjust not only up and down but fore and aft as well. Outward visibility is excellent both from the front seats and in the rear, enhancing the driving (or riding) experience. Windows, mirrors and door locks are all electric, while the trunk can be accessed both by remotes in the driver's-side door and the key fob. Rear seat spaciousness matches the best in the Diamante's class. However, we found the seat cushions uncomfortably hard and flat, offering minimal lateral support. Perhaps in compensation for this shortcoming, an extra-wide, fold-down center armrest serves as a bolster to hold rear passengers in place. The Diamante's trunk is also near the head of the class in volume. Furnished with a cargo net, it swallows up to 14.2 cubic feet of stuff.