2009 Mitsubishi Galant
Published Aug 8, 2008
0 Ratings
What is it?
2009 Mitsubishi Galant
What's special about it?
Mitsubishi has been trying to make the Galant into a mainstream car since the car's last full redesign in 2004. That was when Mitsu's midsize sedan grew to Camry-size proportions and gained a large-displacement V6. But in their attempt to match the mainstream package with mainstream style, Mitsubishi designers unfortunately created a pastiche of design elements from other cars. The result was an anonymous-looking Galant that still didn't get the attention it deserved.
So the design team went back to work on the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant. Too bad they have come no closer to a unique look for this car than before, as it looks like at some point during the process they all threw up their hands in frustration. The front end looks like it was pulled directly off a previous-generation Nissan Altima. The rear fascia is cribbed from the current-generation Hyundai Sonata. It's an odd meeting of aesthetic styles that we find a little too challenging for a midcycle refresh.
If you can get past all that, Mitsubishi has made one potentially desirable change under the hood. Previously, if you wanted the torque-rich 3.8-liter V6 in your Galant, you were looking at spending at least $27 grand. For 2009, Mitsu is slotting a midrange Sport model into the lineup between the base ES and the high-line Ralliart. Although the 160-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-4 is standard for the Galant Sport, a detuned 230-hp version of the big V6 is optional. This is 28 fewer hp than you get with the V6-powered Galant Ralliart, but you also save about $4,000.
All 2009 Mitsubishi Galant Sport models come with an extensive list of standard equipment, including 17-inch alloy wheels, heated cloth-upholstered front seats, automatic climate control and a sunroof. The Sport V6 adds a 360-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system and a six-month subscription to Sirius. Antilock brakes and a full menu of side airbags are also standard, but stability control remains an obvious omission.
Although the 2008 Chicago Auto Show marks the official debut of the refreshed Galant, this car is already on sale at dealers.
What's Edmunds' take?
We doubt this refresh will do much to improve the Galant's standing in the midsize sedan segment. A full redesign, with a serious rethink on styling, can't come soon enough. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor
2009 Mitsubishi Galant
What's special about it?
Mitsubishi has been trying to make the Galant into a mainstream car since the car's last full redesign in 2004. That was when Mitsu's midsize sedan grew to Camry-size proportions and gained a large-displacement V6. But in their attempt to match the mainstream package with mainstream style, Mitsubishi designers unfortunately created a pastiche of design elements from other cars. The result was an anonymous-looking Galant that still didn't get the attention it deserved.
So the design team went back to work on the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant. Too bad they have come no closer to a unique look for this car than before, as it looks like at some point during the process they all threw up their hands in frustration. The front end looks like it was pulled directly off a previous-generation Nissan Altima. The rear fascia is cribbed from the current-generation Hyundai Sonata. It's an odd meeting of aesthetic styles that we find a little too challenging for a midcycle refresh.
If you can get past all that, Mitsubishi has made one potentially desirable change under the hood. Previously, if you wanted the torque-rich 3.8-liter V6 in your Galant, you were looking at spending at least $27 grand. For 2009, Mitsu is slotting a midrange Sport model into the lineup between the base ES and the high-line Ralliart. Although the 160-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-4 is standard for the Galant Sport, a detuned 230-hp version of the big V6 is optional. This is 28 fewer hp than you get with the V6-powered Galant Ralliart, but you also save about $4,000.
All 2009 Mitsubishi Galant Sport models come with an extensive list of standard equipment, including 17-inch alloy wheels, heated cloth-upholstered front seats, automatic climate control and a sunroof. The Sport V6 adds a 360-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system and a six-month subscription to Sirius. Antilock brakes and a full menu of side airbags are also standard, but stability control remains an obvious omission.
Although the 2008 Chicago Auto Show marks the official debut of the refreshed Galant, this car is already on sale at dealers.
What's Edmunds' take?
We doubt this refresh will do much to improve the Galant's standing in the midsize sedan segment. A full redesign, with a serious rethink on styling, can't come soon enough. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor