1997 Mitsubishi Galant Review
Price Estimate: $392 - $612
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Well-built, well-designed car.
Cons
- We keep hearing rumors of V-6 power, where is it?
What’s new
Mitsubishi shuffles the Galant lineup, replacing the S sedan with a base model called the DE. Front and rear fascias have been redesigned, and the interiors of all models have been upgraded by the addition of more ergonomically correct center armrests, upgraded upholstery, additional sound deadening material and a new steering wheel.
For sale near Addison, TX
Vehicle overview
Mitsubishi has seen the writing on the wall. With ever-improving designs from both foreign and domestic manufacturers, the designers at the three-diamond studios have had to get busy improving their bread-and-butter car.
Built to compete with the likes of the Honda Accord, Ford Contour, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima, last year's Galant fell short of most of the competition. Not as durable as the Honda, fun-to-drive as the Contour, prestigious as the Camry, nor polished as the Altima, the Galant seemed to be having an identity crisis. Looking at the sales numbers, it appears that Mitsubishi was failing to attract the customers that the other compact car makers were bringing into the fold.
This year, however, things are different. Mitsubishi has addressed most of our main gripes about the interior of the car. The cheap and flimsy center console has been replaced by a redesigned unit that is the proper height for resting one's arm upon. The chintzy dashboard plastic has been upgraded, and additional sound deadening material has been installed to quiet the buzz from the engine compartment.
We're still waiting to see a V6 engine offered in the Galant. At this point, the Nissan Altima is the Galant's only competition that makes do with just a four-cylinder powerplant. And unlike the Nissan, which cranks out 154-horsepower, the 2.4-liter Mitsu powerplant feels overtaxed when combined with an automatic transmission. There are rumors that a V6 will be introduced within the next few years; we hope that they aren't just rumors.
If you are in the market for an around-town car that doesn't look like everything else on the road, the Mitsubishi Galant should make a satisfying choice.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas
$143/mo for Galant DE
Galant DE
vs
$144/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Mitsubishi Galant Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Love this car!
4.5 out of 5 starsmdark, 11/03/2011
1996 Mitsubishi Galant ES 4dr Sedan
Bought this car with 150k miles on it, has had a few minor issues but nothing abnormal for a car that's now pushing 165k miles. The car is extremely comfortable, I love driving it and the gas economy for a 1996 is AMAZING. The freeway MPG is phenomenal, however it dislikes stop and go in-town driving and traffic.
Extremely reliable and the maintenance fees are pretty reasonable. I'd … recommend this car to anyone, I can expect it to go 200k with ease.
Excellent,Reliable,Good price
4.88 out of 5 starsbmc, 04/19/2003
1997 Mitsubishi Galant ES 4dr Sedan
I purchased 97 ES model from original
owner with all records two years ago.
Up to know,only change tires and oil
change regularly. With almost 30-40%
less money to get some 97 model of
Camry or Accord. I would have only got
94 Honda CIVIC. Car is roomy &
powerful comfortable,fancy woodgrain
panel,nice stereo.
It's very worthy used car if you can
get from original … owner who took good
care of!
This car is better then my 91' Passat
3.88 out of 5 starsPhoney Maloney, 03/26/2002
1997 Mitsubishi Galant ES 4dr Sedan
Bought it @ 21k mi its at 50k mi now all i've done to it is was general maintenece and the ball joint recall it is ridding fine. It aint a Honda or a Toyota but it is a suitatble substitute if you practice general maintenence.... I wouldn't trust the newer versions based on their extensive recalls on the 1999's and 2000's apperenlty MITSU has cleaned up all of the mistakes in the 2002 … model. But I dunno...
Galant GS
4.63 out of 5 starsMonkey, 01/29/2010
1996 Mitsubishi Galant ES 4dr Sedan
Great little car. Even after adding some bolt on power (turbo) the car was very reliable. This is until we hit 170000, then the engine had a few stumbles. At 175000 the engine said its about my time and the transmission soon followed. I am sure that had this drivetrain remained stock it would have easily hit the 250000 mark.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1997 Mitsubishi Galant, so we've included reviews for other years of the Galant since its last redesign.
1997 Galant Highlights
DE
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $143/month |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger2 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
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 – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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