Until last year, the
Mitsubishi Galant was a compact sedan that appealed to very specialized tastes. This car's boxy style and unusual lineup, including limited-edition
versions with turbocharged engines and all-wheel drive, set it apart from mainstream competitors' products. Although many people admired the Galant, the simple fact was that not enough of these folks actually went out and bought the car.
That situation changed dramatically with the introduction of the 1994 Galant. Gone were the creases and sharp edges that gave the car its up-right appearance. That look was replaced by smooth, flowing lines derived from Mitsubishi's larger Diamante sedan. Gone too were any offbeat mechanical features. The new Galant was utterly conventional, and superbly executed.
So it is in 1995, when Galant continues with only minor changes to an already appealing product.
One improvement that's scheduled to arrive late in the 1995 model year is a V6 engine, which will be available in the top-of-the-line Galant LS V6. But for now, the primary alterations to the Galant are confined to a redesigned hood and some changes in content and option packages.
The Galant's success is vital to Mitsubishi, a company that has invested considerable effort in establishing a brand image in this country after years of being known as a supplier of niche cars to Chrysler Corporation.
Whatever the result may have been so far on the corporate-image front, the work put into making the Galant an attractive proposition for customers has paid off.
Count the Galant as one of the most impressive sedans in its class, and a genuine greatest buy. And its appeal should only increase when the larger, more powerful V6 engine is made available.
When
Mitsubishi designers chose to base the Galant on styling themes first applied to the Diamante, they made a winning decision. The Galant exterior is simple, but is saved from being plain by some careful detailing.
The twin-nostril front air inlet is nicely done, as are the smooth sculptural reliefs on the bodysides. Thin roof pillars look good, and they frame large windows that provide excellent visibility.
Only the view from the rear appears slightly uninspired, though a subdued posterior is better than going for excess with this type of car.
One practical benefit of the Galant's simple shape is that it slips through the air less obtrusively than any of its rivals. This car's aerodynamic traits lead to less wind noise and the use of less fuel.
As is the case with all Mitsubishi products, panel, fit-and-finish and paint quality are all beyond reproach.
Decoration has been kept to a minimum. All three Galant trim levels (S, ES, and LS) are nearly identical on the outside, with the exception of the upcoming LS V6, which will have a spoiler on its trunk lid.
Each model wears a smooth hood this year, as the optional engine that required a bulge to fit under last year's panel is no longer available to Galant buyers.
