Used 2009 Mitsubishi Galant

Mitsubishi may be well-known for its sports cars and SUVs, but its family sedan sometimes gets overlooked by the masses. Mitsubishi hopes to change its fortunes with the early introduction of the 2009 Galant. Given a major refreshening both inside and out, the Galant’s flashy styling and value-packed standard-equipment list should prove a tempting lure for buyers shopping the more mainstream Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. On the other hand, fierce new competition from Chevrolet’s Malibu, and the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, means the Galant is in a tough market. Look for Mitsubishi to continue offering a number of attractive incentive programs to make it even easier to purchase a Galant.

The 2009 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.

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 SUV. 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.

While the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant is 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.

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.

The Galant ES features 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, tilt wheel, height-adjustable driver’s seat, AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player, air conditioning, rear-seat pass-through, 16-inch tires with full wheel covers and a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. The Sport Edition trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, rear spoiler, fog lamps, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, power glass sunroof and an eight-way power driver’s seat. The Sport V6 adds a 230-horsepower V6, five-speed automatic transmission, traction control and a 360-watt Rockford audio system. The Ralliart adds a 258-horsepower V6, 18-inch wheels and a sport suspension. Stand-alone options include floor mats, an iPod adapter and a trunk cargo organizer.

Mitsubishi has packaged the Galant to be well-equipped and attractive in its segment, leaving only a few options for each trim. ES models can be equipped with the Sun, Sound and Leather package, which includes 17-inch wheels, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, leather seats, power sunroof, power driver’s seat and the Rockford audio system. The Ralliart offers a Navigation package that adds DVD navigation, rear backup camera and a seven-inch LCD touch-screen panel.

The Galant offers four trim levels, two with the four-cylinder engine, one with a 230-horsepower V6 and the last, 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
155 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/27

3.8-liter V6
230 horsepower @ 5250 rpm
250 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/25

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

Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.

We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.

Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.

Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)

We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.