1999 Mitsubishi Galant GTZ One-Year Test Review Update

Mitsubishi has been on a comeback roll, trying to differentiate itself from Japan's high-value producers by offering standout style and products that are just a bit different from the others. Positioned in the same market segment as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the new-for-'99 Galant takes more styling risk than its class competitors, and pulls it off handsomely. We especially like the BMW 3 Series-esque three-quarter rear view, though the shark-ish nose is nicely detailed, too. The Galant is offered only as a four-door sedan, in several trim levels, with both four-cylinder and V-6 power. We decided this iteration was worth a year-long look and optioned for the sportiest version, dubbed GTZ.

We liked the GTZ's white-face gauges in the instrument panel and the easy to operate stereo and climate controls.

Our tester was a '99 Cayenne Red Pearl GTZ bearing the optional gray leather interior. Equipped with Mitsu's 3.0L iron-block aluminum-head V-6 (standard on the GTZ model and also on certain Chrysler and Dodge models), it carried a base price of $24,350. The only options we popped for were the trunk-mounted 10-disc CD changer and wheel locks, for a takeaway price of $25,562.

With the V-6 under the hood, we expected good things when the accelerator was depressed. But its 0-60-mph time of 9.0 sec brought a surge not on par with those of competitive set Camry LE (8.0 sec) or the Accord EX (8.1 sec). This isn't to say the DOHC engine is totally asleep; it would spin to its 6200-rpm redline in a blink, and actually felt quicker and crisper than these numbers would indicate. We suspect the four-speed automatic transmission bled off some potential power, or perhaps the axle ratio may be too tall for the engine's power curve. When the tach needle was living in its upper range, the sounds from the engine bay were muted, the exhaust letting too few "sporty" emanations into the atmosphere. Still, one staffer who parked the GTZ for three weeks, while attending an SUV event, wrote that getting back into the Mitsubishi was like "getting into a Japanese M5."

At speed, the ride felt sufficiently sport-sedan firm, the suspension transmitting good road feel without punishing the occupants. The steering exhibited crisp response off center, with just a touch of twitchiness; torque steer was virtually non-existent unless the road was wet. Body lean in corners was well damped, while the rear end stayed where it belonged. But more than one staffer complained that the sport suspension wasn't sporty enough. Fitment of more aggressive tires (which is not a part of the GTZ package) would have helped dial up the fun factor. No problem with the brakes, the GTZ stopping from 60 mph in an acceptable 129 ft.

Behind the wheel was a comfortable place to be, though the too obviously plastic wood contrasted with the monochromatic interior. Sitting in the GTZ felt like being inside a bucket of gray paint, every surface the same shade. We liked the white-face gauges, however, and the center stack was filled with easy to operate stereo and climate controls.