2002 Mitsubishi Galant Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Mitsubishi's top-selling car gets revised front and rear styling and expands availability of its 4-cyl engine for 2002. Galant offers 4-cyl DE, ES, and new LS models, plus ES V6, LS V6, and sporty GTZ V6 versions. All have automatic transmission. Traction control is standard on GTZ and optional for other V6 models in an All Weather Package that includes heated mirrors. ABS is optional on the 4-cyl ES and standard on V6s; V6 models also have 4-wheel disc brakes. Front side airbags are exclusive to and standard on LS models and the GTZ. Other '02 additions include an emergency inside trunklid release, new-look LS V6 and GTZ wheels, and altered interior trim. Added midyear was a Sun and Sound Package for ES models that includes power sunroof, upgraded audio system, and alloy wheels, all of which are standard on LS and GTZ.

Competition

Not really a sport-utility or minivan, the PT Cruiser has been well received by our staff. It offers versatility and eye-catching styling not found among compact cars. Its only drawback is tepid acceleration. The loaded Volkswagen Passat also makes it to the Best Buy list this year, despite relatively high prices.

Recommended choices include the vanilla Mazda 626 and the all-wheel drive Subaru Outback/Legacy. Both offer roomy alternatives at fair prices.

News

Mitsubishi's U.S. breadwinner posted 1.2-percent higher year-to-year sales in the first nine months of 2001, following a 28.9-percent hike for calendar 2000. That's good going in light of the economy's recent woes and uncertain general atmosphere.

Galant's next redesign had been on track for model-year 2003, but sources now say it's 2005 or '06. The delay apparently reflects Mitsubishi's many recent troubles at home and new orders from DaimlerChrysler, which now holds a controlling share in the Japanese maker. Galant production remains in the U.S., but the redesign is also being carried out here to insure the result matches the needs and tastes of U.S. customers. In line with that, the new Galants will reportedly be 2-3 inches longer overall and some 2 inches wider than current offerings. Underneath is a new, so-called "flexible" platform being jointly developed by Mitsubishi and Chrysler Group. This will also be the basis for new-generation Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Stratus midsize sedans and Mitsubishi's next Eclipse sporty compacts. All these new vehicles will reportedly be introduced in the 2005-06 timeframe.

2002 Mitsubishi Galant Road Test

Pros	Cons

Ride	Rear-seat entry/exit

Steering/handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

ES, 4 cyl auto.	GTZ	Class Average
3	6	3.7

Both engines are smooth, as is the automatic transmission, but the torquier V6 has far better midrange oomph than the 4 cyl. Four-cyl Galants have adequate go, clocking 10.3 sec in our 0-60-mph test. Test GTZ did 0-60 in 8.3 sec.

Fuel Economy

ES, 4 cyl auto.	GTZ	Class Average
6	5	6.7

Test V6 Galants averaged 21-22.2 mpg. Test 4-cyl ES averaged 24 mpg. Mitsubishi recommends premium fuel for the V6.

Ride Quality

ES, 4 cyl auto.	GTZ	Class Average
6	5	4.1

Comfortably compliant and controlled, aside from minor tail hop over sharp ridges. Small bumps most noticed in the GTZ because of its firmer sport suspension.

Steering/Handling/Braking

ES, 4 cyl auto.	GTZ	Class Average
5	7	4.9

All Galants have predictable yet sporty moves, abetted by accurate steering. Handling-oriented chassis gives GTZ slightly less body lean in tight corners.

Quietness

ES, 4 cyl auto.	GTZ	Class Average
4	4	3.6

Engine noise and wind rush well-muffled. Tire roar noticed mainly on coarse pavement.

Controls

ES, 4 cyl auto.	GTZ	Class Average
6	6	5.6

Well-placed and self-explanatory. Design and layout are clean and simple, though uninspired. Cabin materials fall short of Honda/Toyota/Volkswagen standards, and doors and trunklid reverberate when slammed.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

ES, 4 cyl auto.	GTZ	Class Average
4	4	4.4

Comfortable seats, but tall occupants get no excess head or leg room. Visibility aft hindered by high-tail styling. Driver positioning helped by standard power-operated driver seat on LS V6 and GTZ.

Room/Comfort (rear)

ES, 4 cyl auto.	GTZ	Class Average
3	3	3.2

Only average room for two adults, three in a pinch. Narrow floor passages impede entry/exit, though not severely.

Cargo Room

ES, 4 cyl auto.	GTZ	Class Average
3	3	3.3

Flat-floor low-liftover trunk is spacious enough, and all models except base DE have a split folding rear seatback.

Value within Class

ES, 4 cyl auto.	GTZ	Class Average
6	6	4.7

Galant matches most compact-class rivals for driving pleasure, but needs to be more solidly put together to merit a Recommended nod. Discounts should be readily available, though.

Total Score

ES, 4 cyl auto.	GTZ	Class Average
46	49	44.2

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		31
Average Score		44
High Score		61

2002 Mitsubishi Galant Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 09/13/2001

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

DE 4-door sedan	$17,707	$16,601	$555

ES 4-door sedan	$18,517	$17,179	$555

ES V6 4-door sedan	$20,417	$18,938	$555

LS 4-door sedan	$21,117	$19,588	$555

LS V6 4-door sedan	$22,817	$21,168	$555

GTZ 4-door sedan	$24,157	$22,410	$555

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, rear defogger, variable-intermittent wipers, driver-side visor mirror, map lights, remote fuel-door and decklid release, automatic-off headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, 195/60HR15 tires, wheel covers.

ES adds to DE:

Comfort and Convenience Features

Cruise control, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, trunk pass-through, illuminated visor mirrors.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights.

ES V6 adds to ES:

Powertrain

3.0-liter V6 engine.

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

205/55HR16 tires.

LS adds to ES:

Safety

Front side airbags, antilock brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, driver-seat power height-adjustment w/lumbar adjustment, power sunroof, Infinity sound system.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Alloy wheels.

LS V6 adds to LS:

Powertrain

3.0-liter V6 engine.

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

205/55HR16 tires.

GTZ adds to LS V6:

Powertrain

Traction control.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, 12-way power driver seat, heated power mirrors.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Sport suspension.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
All Weather Pkg.
ES V6, LS V6	$310	$270
Traction control, heated power mirrors.

Premium Leather Pkg.
LS, LS V6	$1,118	$978
Leather upholstery, 8-way power driver seat. LS V6 requires All Weather Pkg.

Sun and Sound Pkg.
ES	$1,700	$1,479
Power sunroof, Infinity sound system, alloy wheels.

Safety
Antilock brakes
ES	$610	$500


Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
ES, ES V6	$850	$706

2002 Mitsubishi Galant Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Mitsubishi Galant 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	103.7

Overall Length, in.	187.8

Overall Width, in.	68.5

Overall Height, in.	55.7

Curb Weight, lbs.	3031

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	16.3

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.5

Rear Head Room, in.	37.7

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc I4	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.4 /143	3.0 /181

Horsepower @ rpm.	140 @ 5500	195 @ 5500

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	155 @ 4000	205 @ 4000

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	21/28	20/27

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Mitsubishi Galant 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	3

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	5/60,000	7/70,000 for Montero Sports & Galants sold from December 18, 2002 through March 31, 2003.

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	7/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2002 Mitsubishi Galant Photos

Also in the 2002 Mitsubishi Galant Review:

Mitsubishi Galant

Mitsubishi Galant Road Test

Mitsubishi Galant Prices & Equipment

Mitsubishi Galant Specs & Safety

Mitsubishi Galant Photos

Mitsubishi Galant Full Review

All Mitsubishi Galants

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