2004 Mitsubishi Diamante Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Another facelift takes Mitsubishi's slow-selling flagship sedan into the 8th year of its current design. Diamante returns in base ES, sporty VR-X, and luxury-oriented LS trim. All have a V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, and 16-inch alloy wheels. Side airbags are unavailable. ES and LS have 205 hp. The VR-X has 210 hp, plus a sport-tuned suspension. The VR-X also comes with traction control, which is optional for LS in a Cold Zone Package that also includes heated front seats and mirrors. This year's cosmetic changes involve a redone nose with Mitsubishi's new corporate look, a restyled dashboard and center console, new colors and interior trims, and a standard rear spoiler for VR-X. The LS also gains a manual shift gate like the VR-X.

News

A redesigned Diamante may arrive for 2006 if all goes well for Mitsubishi Motors in Japan over the next couple of years. Right now, that's a big if. The automaker has been in recovery mode the past several years, wracked by scandals, disappointing sales and surging deficits. DaimlerChrysler, which has a controlling interest in Mitsubishi, has sent in new managers and piles of cash, but there's still no sign of a turnaround, and that could affect plans for future Mitsubishi models. Assuming there is a next Diamante, it would likely be a stretched version of the latest Galant, built on the same "Project America" midsize platform. Dimensions and styling would differ, of course, and an uprated Galant V6 seems likely too. Though Project America was conceived as a flexible basis for several U.S.-built Mitsubishi models, there's talk of Diamante production remaining in Australia rather than being transferred to the Illinois plant that builds Galants and the platform-sharing Endeavor SUV. All in all, the Mitsubishi story these days is a real potboiler, so keep checking back with us.

2004 Mitsubishi Diamante Road Test

Pros	Cons

Ride	Radio controls

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

LS	Class Average
6	6.4

Test LS did 0-60 mph in a decent 8.1 sec. Traction control checks unwanted wheel spin in fast takeoffs, but should be available on all models. We haven't yet tested a VR-X.

Fuel Economy

LS	Class Average
5	4.6

Test LS averaged 19.7 mpg with lots of highway driving. Expect closer to 17 as an overall average. Mitsubishi recommends premium fuel.

Ride Quality

LS	Class Average
7	7

ES and LS absorb most bumps easily, but soft suspension tuning allows mild float over fast humpbacks.

Steering/Handling/Braking

LS	Class Average
5	6.8

ES and LS show more cornering lean than desirable, but are competent and predictable, though less nimble than such rivals as Acura TL.

Quietness

LS	Class Average
6	6.7

Though not the smoothest around, Diamante's V6 is pretty relaxed, hardly vibratory. Low wind, road noise, but some tire thrum audible on pebbled pavement.

Controls

LS	Class Average
6	6.7

Conventional if busy design and layout. Stereo buttons too small. Interior materials mostly upscale, but don't distinguish Diamante in the class.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LS	Class Average
6	7.2

Good but not grand. Standard sunroof leaves marginal 6-footer head room. Good basic driving stance with sufficient adjustments. Visibility marred by mild over-the-shoulder blind spot.

Room/Comfort (rear)

LS	Class Average
5	5.6

Too narrow for three adults to be comfortable, and leg room can be tight with front seats pushed very far back.

Cargo Room

LS	Class Average
3	4

Trunk roomy, easy to load, but not among largest in class, and lid hinges cut into available space.

Value within Class

LS	Class Average
2	5.8

Diamante is attractively priced and competent enough. But lack of expected class features such as side airbags and a 5-speed automatic transmission betrays an aging basic design. A host of rivals, especially the value-packed Acura TL, are better choices and enjoy much stronger resale values.

Total Score

LS	Class Average
51	60.8

Scores for all Premium Midsize Cars

Low Score		48
Average Score		60
High Score		71

2004 Mitsubishi Diamante Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 04/14/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

ES 4-door sedan	$24,999	$23,485	$595

VR-X 4-door sedan	$26,819	$25,195	$595

LS 4-door sedan	$27,619	$25,947	$595

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

3.5-liter V6 205-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/automatic climate control, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, trunk pass-through, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, AM/FM/CD player, power antenna, digital clock, tachometer, illuminated visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, map lights, automatic-off headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, full-size spare tire, 215/60VR16 tires, alloy wheels.

VR-X adds to ES:

Powertrain

3.5-liter V6 210-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, traction control.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, 8-way power driver seat, heated power mirrors, Infinity sound system.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear spoiler, sport suspension.

LS adds to ES:

Powertrain

4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather upholstery, 10-way power driver seat w/memory and lumbar adjustment, 8-way power passenger seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, Infinity sound system.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Leather Pkg.
VR-X	$840	$730
Leather upholstery, 10-way power driver seat w/memory, 8-way power passenger seat.

Cold Zone Pkg.
LS	$720	$584
Traction control, heated front seats and mirrors.

Comfort and Convenience Features
In-dash 6-disc CD changer
ES, LS, VR-X	$490	$

2004 Mitsubishi Diamante Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Mitsubishi Diamante 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	107.1

Overall Length, in.	194.1

Overall Width, in.	70.3

Overall Height, in.	53.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	3439

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.2

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	19.0

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.6

Rear Head Room, in.	37.5

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.6

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

Engines

	sohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.5 /213

Horsepower @ rpm.	205 @ 5000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	231 @ 4000

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	18/25

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 Diamante 4-door sedan

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	10/100,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	5/60,000	On cars purchased after July 1, 2004

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: Australia

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2004 Mitsubishi Diamante Photos

Also in the 2004 Mitsubishi Diamante Review:

Mitsubishi Diamante

Mitsubishi Diamante Road Test

Mitsubishi Diamante Prices & Equipment

Mitsubishi Diamante Specs & Safety

Mitsubishi Diamante Photos

Mitsubishi Diamante Full Review

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