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Rest of the Web Says We've gathered reviews from Edmunds.com, Cars.com plus live Tweets on this car. See What We Found »
Rest of the Web Says We've gathered reviews from Edmunds.com, Cars.com plus live Tweets on this car. See What We Found »
The Basics:
TheCarConnection.com's family-sedan experts read a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Mitsubishi Galant to put together this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove the Mitsubishi Galant, and they offer opinions, more driving impressions, and details where they help you make the best new-car buying decision.
The 2008 Mitsubishi Galant has many of the features that make sedans like the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima big hits and best-sellers. It hasn't reached those heights, but the Galant is a rudimentary kind of vehicle that covers all the necessary bases without breaking new ground, while doing a lot of what the Accord and Altima do well.
The base Mitsubishi Galant DE and ES get their power from an adequate 162-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. A Galant Ralliart model uses a punchy 258-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 engine teamed with a five-speed Sportronic automatic with manual shift capability. It's less growly than in other Mitsus, and the big V-6 has plenty of smooth power for a sedan of this size. Additionally, the automatic is pretty invisible in its shift action. Fuel economy ranges from 20/27 mpg in the four-cylinder versions, to 17/25 mpg with the V-6.
Ride motions are mostly pleasant on the lesser Mitsubishi Galant sedans. Hustle the four-cylinder LS around and it absorbs most road impacts well. Tighten up the line into a curve and you notice more imprecision in the rear end, a little squirm, and some movement before it settles into predictable tire squeal. The Ralliart is tighter and more composed. On all versions, the steering is nicely weighted, brake modulation good, and pedal travel short.
The 2008 Mitsubishi Galant is essentially identical to the 2004 model, and that's one of its downfalls. It's a fine-looking car--but in the past four years, the Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, and Honda Accord have raised the bar with hot new styles. The interior is covered in industrial-looking trim, and in general, the dark, plastic-addicted cabin needs a richer look and feel. The front seats have plenty of room--and so do the deeply set backseats.
All Galants come standard with side curtain airbags, in addition to side-impact airbags, and, new for 2008, tire pressure monitors. The federal government rates the Galant with four stars for rollover protection, but other ratings have not been revealed.
Options include a DVD navigation system with seven-inch LCD.
Likes:
- Big V-6 power
- Roomy back-seat
- Sporty Ralliart edition
Dislikes:
- Aging styling
- Lesser interior materials
