Mitsubishi mid-size suitor is Galant
All-new sedan entices with good looks and personality

Mitsubishi knows how to court Canadians. When the Japanese automaker announced it was coming north we were treated to a few funky commercials (which kick-started the careers of more than one musician), and the quiet release of one vehicle, followed by another. No glitzy full line introductions or in-your-face promotions. Instead the automaker played hard to get, and we were allowed to get to know each Mitsubishi offering over time.

Even now the courtship is still in the honeymoon period - it's a delight to see a Mitsubishi on the road, since the brand and its vehicles are still new and exciting to our eyes.

Mitsubishi's most recent suitor trying to win our affections is the Galant. Although new to Canada, the Galant has been wooing American buyers since 1985 and has been around even longer in Japan. But with established names like Accord and Camry in the mix, Mitsu's mid-size sedan, now in its ninth generation and new from the ground up, will have to win many hearts to match the charms of its competitors. But the Galant, it seems, is up to the challenge, with ride, handling and luxury features that will no doubt attract buyers.

For 2004 the Galant is offered in four trim levels, with the base 4-cylinder DE starting at $23,498 and the top-line GTS topping out at just over $33,000. Our mid-range, V6-powered LS tester included several option packages, which brought its as tested price to just over $30,000.

The Galant has handsome good looks, with a prominent split grille at the front and a coupe-like rear end that's neatly chiselled and incorporates large taillights. The wedge-shape design is fairly aggressive with an understated racy appeal, and colour-keyed bodyside mouldings, door handles and side mirrors add fluidity. The entire package was enhanced further with 16-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels on our tester.

Under the hood is a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 230 hp at 5,250 rpm and an impressive 250 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 revs. The Galant produces its class-leading low-end grunt at 1,000 rpm lower than the Honda Accord, 1,600 rpm lower than the Toyota Camry and 600 revs below the Nissan Altima. Hooked up to a 4-speed manumatic sequential shifter, power comes on smooth and strong with nicely timed shifts. This combination does a good job of providing relaxed driving with quick throttle response.

For '04 the Galant has a stronger, larger and more rigid platform, plus a four-inch longer wheelbase over the outgoing model. Combined with independent suspension setups at all four corners and anti-roll bars front and rear, these improvements go a long way to enhance ride and handling, as well as improving noise, vibration and harshness.

The Galant is a solid performer with ample power on tap, though the engine sounds thrashy higher in the rev range. It eats up corners with an accurate steering feel and little body roll, and during a dumping of snow it was stable and surefooted with traction control, anti-lock brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution working to keep things in check.

All controls are simple and easy to read, with overlapping, attractive gauges and large knobs for the HVAC system. The Diamond Package ($1,610) added lots of sizzle and high-tech appeal with a 270-watt Mitsubishi/Infinity 6-disc CD audio system with eight speakers, steering wheel mounted audio controls, leather wrapped steering wheel, titanium integrated air conditioning and audio control panel with ice blue illumination and keyless entry.

An optional sunroof ($1,024) and side airbags ($1,024), plus titanium accents sprinkled throughout the cabin, power windows, doors, locks and an information display buttoned things up nicely.

The Galant is a definite player, with the zest to captivate buyers looking for a mid-size sedan. It has good looks, is well equipped and has a price that makes one's heartbeat flutter.

Immediate competition:
Honda Accord,
Mazda6,
Nissan Altima,
Toyota Camry