2012 Mitsubishi Galant Review
2012 Mitsubishi Galant Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Generously equipped SE trim
- good ride and handling balance.
Cons
- Dated overall design
- underpowered engine
- four-speed automatic is behind the times
- cheap interior materials
- insufficient storage space
- rear seat doesn't fold down.
What’s new
For 2012, the Mitsubishi Galant sees no changes, as this will be its last year of production.
Edmunds says
The 2012 Mitsubishi Galant remains well behind the pack due to its relatively meager power, unimpressive cabin quality and outdated styling.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant ES 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $5.35 per gallon for regular unleaded in California.
Monthly estimates based on costs in California
$267/mo for Galant ES
Galant ES
vs
$251/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
About a dozen years ago, Mitsubishi's midsize sedan offered a bit more pizzazz than most cars in this popular segment. With its European-inspired styling, agile handling, solid powertrains and lower pricing, the Galant had more than a few things going for it. But the same can't be said of the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant, which is simply outdated and outclassed by newer, more competent rivals.
Last redesigned eight years ago, the Galant has slowly devolved into a choice popular only among car rental agencies. Although most of the Galant's competitors offer available V6 power, the Galant no longer does. That's not a deal-breaker on its own, as the reality is that most cars in this segment are sold with four-cylinder engines. What hurts the Galant here is that its competitors' four-cylinders offer considerably more power, with outputs ranging anywhere from 15-40 more horsepower. Similarly, the Galant soldiers on with a four-speed automatic, while most rivals provide six-speed units that further optimize performance and fuel efficiency.
On the upside, the Galant offers a generous list of upscale features at an attractive price in its SE trim where a sunroof, a navigation system, a back-up camera and an upgraded stereo with satellite radio are all included. Still, that can't hide the fact that they're in a cabin that lags behind the competition in terms of materials quality.
Considered on its own, the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant isn't necessarily a bad car, as consumer reviews tout its reliability, pleasant handling and smooth, quiet ride. But this isn't 2000, and as such shoppers should be aware of the wealth of notably better choices that include the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, Suzuki Kizashi, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat.
Performance & mpg
Every Mitsubishi Galant is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed automatic. Output is 160 horsepower and 157 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy is an estimated 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.
Safety
The 2012 Mitsubishi Galant comes standard with stability control, antilock brakes, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Galant its highest rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset and side-impact tests and a second-best "Acceptable" in the roof-strength test.
Driving
With only 160 hp and a four-speed automatic, there's not much in the way of straight-line thrust. Nevertheless, once underway the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant maintains a flat, predictable stance and feels smaller than it is. A surprising amount of road feel is communicated through the driver seat and the steering. None of this driving enjoyment comes at the expense of ride quality, which is smooth, forgiving and ideal for weekday commutes.
Interior
The Mitsubishi Galant's cabin hails from a brief period of time when silver-painted control stacks were the hip thing. That era has passed, and now the Galant's stereo and climate controls look as if they came from an old boombox and can be difficult to read at a glance besides. Furthermore, the quality of the materials has become subpar. Most plastics and other surfaces just don't match the refined look and feel of the Galant's many more desirable competitors. There's also no telescoping steering wheel, a glaring omission in this class.
On the upside, the cabin is relatively roomy considering the Galant's size, and the seats are softly cushioned. The trunk offers 13.3 cubic feet of capacity, just a foot or two less than the competition although the opening is usefully wide. And although there's a ski pass-through, the rear seats do not fold down to expand cargo capacity.
2012 Mitsubishi Galant models
The 2012 Mitsubishi Galant is a midsize sedan available in ES and SE trim levels.
Standard features on the ES include 16-inch steel wheels, full power accessories, air-conditioning, a tilt-only steering wheel, cruise control, driver-seat height adjustment and a six-speaker stereo with CD player and auxiliary audio jack.
The SE adds a sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a back-up camera, heated mirrors, a rear spoiler, automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an eight-way power driver seat (includes lumbar adjustment), heated front seats, Bluetooth, a navigation system and an eight-speaker Rockford Acoustic Design audio system with six-CD changer and satellite radio.
Apart from a Leather package for the SE (which includes leather upholstery and a rear spoiler), there are no factory-installed options for the Galant. However, there are a number of worthwhile dealer-installed accessories including an iPod interface, a back-up camera (ES) and remote engine start.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent
#7 out of 28 among Midsize Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mitsubishi Galant from 2008-2022.$287/yr
vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car
for Average Midsize Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.91x/yr
vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car
for Average Midsize Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).8.7%
vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car
for Average Midsize Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2012 Mitsubishi Galant.
5 star(68%)
4 star(29%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(3%)
31 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Nice Car
ttreakle1, 06/03/2011
2011 Mitsubishi Galant SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
not a bad buy for the money as you get all the toys that come with much more expensive cars
4.63 out of 5 stars
luv this car!
midway2, 06/17/2013
2012 Mitsubishi Galant ES 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
I bought the 2012 Galant because i was looking for something that is reliable and got good gas mileage, and boy does it fit the bill.
But what really attracted me is you can get these only a year old at half of their original value, whereas Camrys, Accords etc. are thousands more.
The base ES model lacks some bells & whistles found on other cars, however the interior room,comfort and … ride is surprisingly good. The body style is a tad dated (from 2004) but with the money I saved it doesnt matter. Power is adequate.
Overall a good, solid, reliable vehicle that can be had for a good price.
3.63 out of 5 stars
Sport feel for Basic Sedan
carriemae, 03/07/2013
2011 Mitsubishi Galant ES 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
I purchased my red Galant as a 'prior rental'.
There is a big depreciation for Galants, so that is the only way I would buy one, as 'used'.
I like the sleek sides and look of the car.
The red is very pretty, especially just cleaned on a sunny day.
The car has a wide wheel base so feels good on the road, I think the power seem fine (I don't think it felt week like the pro review).
The … interior, however, is very, very plain and cheap looking. ..charcoal cloth seats and black vinyl, holds dust.
Arm rests were separating and needed to be repaired by dealer.
However, engine seems fine...I think this is a great alternative to a Honda/Toyota for those on a budget if you keep it long.
5 out of 5 stars
Best kept secret
Len Hilliker, 11/28/2016
2012 Mitsubishi Galant SE 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
In my opinion, the Mitsubishi Galant is one of the best kept secrets when it comes to a reliable vehicle. I absolutely love my car. It's a shame the Galant does not get better reviews. Best bang for your buck without a doubt! My only complaint would be that the 2.4 i4 is a little under powered. With that said, I still feel the power is adequate and the car is fun to drive. If you are … thinking about getting a used car, save some money over a Honda or Toyota and test drive a Galant. I'm fairly confident that you won't be disappointed.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant, so we've included reviews for other years of the Galant since its last redesign.
2012 Galant Highlights
ES
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $21,899 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $267/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Galant include:
- Back-up camera
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover10.7%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestAcceptable
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
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