Mitsubishi Galant reviews

2009 Mitsubishi Galant Driving Impressions

The Mitsubishi Galant delivers a smooth, quiet ride, thanks at least in part to its stiff platform, wide stance and long wheelbase. Minimal noise leaks into the cabin, just a slight rumble from the tires and a discernible whistle from the mirrors at highway speeds.

The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine develops 160 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 155 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm, competitive figures for the class. It features Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing and lift Electronic Control (MIVEC), which switches between two cam profiles for optimum power, response, and efficiency at high and low engine speeds. It's a sophisticated setup.

The four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, although it does hunt a bit in hilly territory. In the normal mode, it shifts automatically. With the Sportronic feature, it can be switched into a semi-manual mode. It will not shift up or down automatically when in the manual mode, so the driver has full control over shifting.

The V6 in the Sport V6 model makes freeway merging easy, and passes on two-lane roads are completed without drama. It's rated at 230 horsepower and a substantial 250 pound-feet of torque, so the Sport V6 Galant gets away from intersections and up hills with a welcome response. Premium fuel is recommended.

The V6 models come with traction control, which can selectively apply the brakes at one or more wheels and/or reduce engine power to control wheelspin on slippery surfaces. It's especially useful in the rain, but even in dry weather can eliminate annoying screeches when taking off from intersections. The five-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic also features a manual override. For its size and heft, the Galant feels decently planted on all but the most twisting roads.

The Ralliart handles well, with crisp precision, and rides quite nicely. It features higher-rate springs and shock absorbers, along with a 21-mm rear anti-roll bar. The Ralliart V6 uses the MIVEC system and a slightly higher compression (10.5 vs. 10.0:1) to boost its output to 258 horsepower at 5750 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 4500. It's a smooth, powerful engine. Mitsubishi says it develops 220 pound-feet of torque at just 2000 rpm, which makes for a smooth, responsive engine when riding around town, yet it's not annoyingly jumpy with an overly sensitive throttle, as some performance cars can be. Mitsubishi claims the Galant Ralliart can sprint from zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds, which is a fine performance.

Brake feel is solid and reassuring. Anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) are standard on all models; the EBD proportions braking pressure between the front and rear wheels depending on how the car is loaded, and adjusts stopping pressure dynamically as weight shifts forward under hard braking. The idea is to send the brake pressure to the wheels with the most weight on them, which is where it can do the most good. This gives the Galant stable braking performance.