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The Galant is a nice car
at a reasonable price. It rides and handles well, has a roomy interior, and
did well in crash testing. However, Mitsubishi’s pricing structure requires
all-or-nothing equipment, so the Galant reviewed here as the fewest features
in this class, the interior quality is subpar, and the trunk is small. But
it’s moderately fun to drive, practical, and, unless you want more than the
basic standard equipment, well-priced.
The Galant has a
comfortable, though rather firm ride. It is well-controlled, but is not as
absorbent as many family sedan competitors. The car handles well, with
responsive steering that offers good feedback, but it doesn’t feel as nimble
and fun to drive as the most sport-focused competitors. The 2.4-liter
4-cylinder is reasonably powerful, but very noisy. (A 3.8-liter V6 is
offered above this group’s price point, with a drastic improvement in power
and refinement.) Road noise is also noticeable. The Galant gets adequate gas
mileage by this group’s standards, though most competitors’ 4-cylinders
return better fuel economy.
Inside, the Galant’s
front seats could be higher, but are roomy, supportive, and well-shaped. The
rear is also too low, and headroom is somewhat lacking. The seat cushion is
very well-shaped for maximum comfort and support however, and there is
plenty of leg space.
The dash features liberal use of insubstantial shiny false aluminum, but all
trim pieces fit together well on it. Many trim pieces feel cheap on the rest
of the car however, and don't fit together as well as on the dash. The
gauges are very large and clear, but some instruments could be simpler.
Entry/exit is complicated by the low seats and rather small door openings.
Drivers sit fairly comfortably, and have adequate overall visibility. The
trunk is small, and the rear seats cannot fold to expand its volume.
The Galant reviewed here
came in at $17,937, including basic features but no additional amenities, or
traction and stability control.
Overall,
the Galant is does most things moderately well, but few qualities are
outstanding. It’s worth a look in this segment for its all-around competence
in a class where standards are high, but it doesn’t have any singular
advantage over the competition.
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