KansasCity.com's view

Mitsubishi’s Galant is one of a handful of four-door sedans, but what sets it apart from the crowd is its decidedly sporty attitude and a price tag that won’t force you into the poorhouse.

I drove a mid-level Galant ES that came standard with popular features such as air conditioning, AM/FM stereo cassette plus power mirrors, windows and locks, yet its base price was $17,670. It is built in Normal, Ill.

The sporty attitude stems from a multi-link suspension tuned as much for athleticism as it is for comfort. The multi-link design enables the suspension to soak up bumps without transmitting as much of the shock into the passenger cabin, and the front stabilizer bar helps contain body roll during hard driving.

Our test car was shod with optional 15-inch alloy wheels and 195/60 tires, a combination that does a good job of gripping the asphalt and giving you confidence when you want to hustle through some curves. The body doesn’t lean, tilt or wallow during such shenanigans, and that raises the Galant’s entertainment quotient.

Anti-lock brakes are an option on all but the top-line LS, and our test car had them.

The standard powerplant, a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder, serves up spunky acceleration when mated to the five-speed manual, but the engine doesn’t really set the tone for the car as much as handling does. With 141 horsepower on tap, this single-overhead-cam (SOHC) powerplant feels gutsy without demanding large doses of throttle. Take off from a stop and it moves briskly, making you immediately aware of its mid-range power. Unfortunately, the five-speed manual’s fairly stiff and notchy shift linkage spoils some of the fun. Without the manual transmission it would be a little more sluggish, although Mitsubishi’s automatic is quite good because it uses “fuzzy logic” to determine when it shifts.

Normally, a four-cylinder of this displacement would shake like warm Jello on a plate, but Mitsubishi has cleverly designed this engine with dual, counter-rotating balance shafts that counteract its natural vibrations and make it drive smoothly. That smoothness is another reason why it feels energetic when given the whip.

On the outside, the Galant’s face gets a more aggressive look with a new lower front fascia that has a wide lower grille opening and integrated fog lights. Contoured lower side panels dress it up, and there are revised taillamps in back.

Solar tinted glass that blocks ultraviolet light has been added to keep interior temperatures under control in summer and keep upholstery from fading as much.

The dash resembles that of the Eclipse sports coupe because it is laid out with large, twin dials for speedometer and tachometer. Rotary dials for heating/cooling are high up in the center of the dash, with the audio system below. Controls for the stereo are not as clear as they could be.

Cupholders pull out from the dash but place drinks in front of the radio.

Woodgrain trim a dds warmth to the center section of the dash and console.

The front seats are contoured to provide support during spirited driving, and they do a good job of that without feeling confining. The cloth upholstery is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Storage is available in the center console as well as in front-door pockets.

The ES has a split-folding back seat, which is handy for large items. Even with the seat up, the trunk is roomy.

The test car was equipped with the Premium Package consisting of a HomeLink Universal Transmitter, security system with remote keyless entry, fog lights, 15-inch alloy wheels, rear-seat heater ducts and illuminated visor mirrors.

Price

The base price of our test car was $17,6770. Options included anti-lock brakes ($965) and the premium package ($1,805). The sticker price, including freight, was $20,860.

Warranty

The basic warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles.

Vehicles for The Star’ week-long test drives are supplied by the auto manufacturers.

Point: The Galant ES provides sporty handling, moderate power and plenty of room for four people in a reasonably priced package.

Counterpoint: The stereo system could be easier to use, and the cupholders place drink cups in front of the stereo controls.

SPECIFICATIONS:

ENGINE: 2.4-liter, 4-cyl.

TRANSMISSION: Five-speed

WHEELBASE: 103.7 inches

CURB WEIGHT: 2,877 lbs.

BASE PRICE: $17,670

PRICE AS DRIVEN: $20,860

MPG RATING: 23 city, 30 hwy.