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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Mitsubishi Galant

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2012 Mitsubishi Galant

Overview

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2008 Mitsubishi Galant Review

By KBB.com Editors

Mitsubishi may be well-known for its sports cars and SUVs, but its family sedan sometimes gets overlooked by the masses. Although the 2008 Mitsubishi Galant doesn't receive as much mention as the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, as midsize family sedans go, it offers some worthy features. Unique exterior styling helps the Galant stand out from the more conservatively-designed class leaders and its roomy, well-equipped interior is both pleasing and solidly constructed. Best of all, Mitsubishi continues to offer a number of attractive incentive programs to make it even easier to purchase a Galant.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a family sedan with a plush interior, a racy exterior and a nice big back seat, the 2008 Mitsubishi Galant should be on your shopping list. The Ralliart trim delivers surprisingly good off-the-line performance and handling capability.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a sport sedan with a manual transmission, you're going to have to stick with Honda or Volkswagen. Although it does feature a center pass-through slot, the Galant's rear seatback cannot be folded down.

What's New for 2008

The GTS trim is dropped from the line with much of its standard content spread out to the DE and ES trims. Mitsubishi makes a tire-pressure-monitoring system standard on all models.

Driving the Galant

Driving Impressions The 2008 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart's potent V6, though a bit loud at idle, has a nice throaty growl when you punch it. With 258 horsepower, the performance is exhilarating and...

quick, and the Ralliart has no trouble merging with freeway traffic or passing on the highway. Once under way, you'll discover the speed-sensitive hydraulic power steering delivers accurate feedback in most maneuvers, but feels a bit slow to respond during really hard driving. The Ralliart trim, with its low-profile 18-inch performance tires, provides precise handling without a harsh ride.

Favorite Features

Blue Dash Lights
The blue dash lighting on white-face gauges (GTS) really stands out in this field.

Sportronic Automatic Transmission
Mitsubishi's Sportronic automatic is one of the better transmissions on the market.

2008 Mitsubishi Galant Details

Interior

The Galant's interior is a refreshing blend of bold, modern design and soothing blue light. The dash, steering wheel and center console take their cues from the Endeavor. Large rotary knobs control the heating and fan speeds as well as the sound system volume and tuning functions---a much-needed improvement over previous Mitsubishi stereo systems. Redesigned doors have integrated cup holders up front and storage pockets for small electronic devices in back. We found the Galant's seating to be first-rate, with rear-seat passengers reporting plenty of legroom and a surprising amount of headroom. The absence of a fold-down rear seatback, however, limits the Galant's ability to carry large or bulky items.

Exterior

While the Mitsubishi Galant plays in the same market segment as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the powerful front nose, sloping fastback rear window and short deck lid give it an appearance all its own. The sporty Galant Ralliart seems to be aimed directly at buyers who require four doors, but also want a bit more personality than most sedans offer. It has several subtle touches that set it apart stylistically, such as side mirrors that are attached to the doors by slim plastic arms and front headlamp turn signals sealed in huge tinted plastic casings.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The Galant DE comes standard with a 160-horsepower 2.4-liter engine, four-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, front side-impact airbags, front and rear side-curtain airbags, rear cup holders, rear defroster, power locks, power windows, power mirrors, keyless entry, engine immobilizer, automatic headlamps, AM/FM stereo with CD, rear-seat pass-through, tilt wheel and 16-inch tires with full wheel covers.

Optional Equipment

Options vary by trim level and include a 3.8-liter V6 with five-speed Sportronic automatic transmission (Ralliart), alloy wheels, heated leather seats, power driver's seat, anti-lock brakes (ABS), DVD navigation, faux leather-wrapped steering wheel with touch controls, SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Ralliart), Rockford Acoustic Design audio and heated side mirrors.

Under the Hood

The Galant offers three trim levels, two with the four-cylinder engine, and one, the Ralliart, with a high-output V6. The Galant's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is adequate for around-town driving and returns impressive city and highway fuel economy. The V6 is best suited to those who demand extra power, the kind required for quicker acceleration when merging or passing.

2.4-liter in-line 4
160 horsepower @ 5500 rpm
157 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/27

3.8-liter V6 MIVEC
258 horsepower @ 5750 rpm
258 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/25

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Mitsubishi Galant vehicles for sale near you.

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2008 Mitsubishi Galant Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.7

Out of 10

Based on 309 Ratings for the 2004 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

8.8/10

Quality

8.8/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

9.0/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

9.0/10

A perfect car

By Jon (PA) on Friday, May 31, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 29,500

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "sensible, reliable, comfortable, quality design"

Cons: "slightly conservative"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Extremely reliable, comfortable and pleasant to drive, handsome to look at, efficient on gas, big and sturdy car, has a feeling of quality. These are the best value on the market. Owned since new and 30,000 miles. It hasn't given me any trouble at all."

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UNDER RATED COMPARED TO TOYOTA AND NISSAN

By JLO (TX) on Monday, May 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 59,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Standard features that you pay extra on other cars"

Cons: "Low trade in value"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"I do regular oil changes and gas mileage has been as stated. I have had the front pads and rotors replaced. This is roomy enough for my 5'11 foot son to sit in the rear with plenty of room.Have been on numerous trips some close to 700 miles and still do 29 to 30mpg with luggage and 4 people. The only con is I did not buy an extended warranty. The monitor for tne Navigation and info center has gone out. The dealer said it only has a 3yr 36k warranty on the radio and nav system."

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I hate this car

By Kat (CA) on Tuesday, April 02, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 28

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 3/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 5/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "It's Sporty looking"

Cons: "Bad steering, Bad engine, Bad gas mileage"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I have had this car for 8 months now, and i hate it. It gets poor gas mileage, its shaky, its hard to clean the interior. I hate driving down the freeway and when i have to stop automatically the whole car shakes and it is sometimes hard to control."

3 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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this car is certainly different from the past cars

By Jan (FL) on Monday, March 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 11,200

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "fun to drive, lots of gadgets"

Cons: "rides rough, road noise, noisy engine"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"pro's great cornering, good pick up for a fully loaded 4 cyl, seats are hard but after a 4 hr trip, walked away with no pain ( have a arthritis problem ) have a lot of favorable comments about the paint, wheels and tires. Cons most cars have road noise but this car has ROAD NOISE someone at the mailbox asked if this car has a diesel engine because of the excessive noie. The springs are not forgiving, you feel every bump in the road however the pros outway the cons for me and will buy another one when the time comes"

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Sassy and roomy sedan

By Devo (NC) on Sunday, March 03, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,877

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "White Pearl is uniquely irridescent and clean"

Cons: "Stereo system is just OK"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"After one year of commuting and seeing all the vehicles around me, I grew bored seeing the popular brands...they were everywhere! I love how easy and comfortable it glides over the interstate. I spend 45+ hours a month commuting. Mitsubishi is making it a pleasure! Hurry to purchase as 2012 is last year they will produce under this name. No worries you will be out of fashion in a 2013!"

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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great car for the money

By judrowne (MA) on Monday, February 25, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 33,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "drive & handling. good pick up for a 4 cylinder,"

Cons: "sound system"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 8

"i got my galant because i needed something asap with low miles, and i HAD to have leather and a sunroof. expecting to pay a lot more than i did i came across the galant, never had i thought about owning a mitsubishi after the test drive i loved the car. SO MUCH room on the inside, its cute on the outside and it drives and handles so well. the leather seats are awesome and good quality. sunroof is great too. wish it had heated seats but i will survive. only thing that could have been better was the sound system but i put an after-market system in which is perfect."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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See all 309 reviews