Equal Offering of Style, Performance and Functionality
As you might expect, I regularly get the "What car should I buy?" question. I'm OK with it. After all, testing cars is what I do and the least I can offer is my biased advice. While the answer almost always involves a slightly more complicated formula of lifestyle multiplied by needs, added to family size combined with wealth, or lack thereof, I usually make a couple of recommendations. To make a short story long, after driving the completely revised 2004 Galant at its California press introduction in July, it has made my family sedan shortlist.
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| When it comes to recommendations, the 2004 Mitsubishi Galant has made my family sedan shortlist. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
That list includes some pretty revered company, a few of which include the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry, each depending on the result of my aforementioned complicated formula. To be clear, the previous Galant, while decent transportation, did not make the list.
So what makes it so good you ask? It's a question of balance. Yes, balance on the road is part of its appeal, but more so is its equal offering of style, performance and functionality, all at very high levels, putting it over the top. Let me explain.
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| The Galant is handsome from every angle and looks fabulous inside and out. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
First and foremost, at least in my mind, the Galant looks fabulous inside and out. It's edgy without looking radical, refined without feeling stuffy and just plain handsome from every angle. Like Nissan's Altima, Mitsubishi has made its base Galant look as richly appointed on the outside as its top of the line model.
But unlike some of its rivals, Mitsubishi has gone beyond merely adding larger diameter wheels and superficial trim to distinguish its upper model from entry-level DE, ES and LS Galants. Rather, the GTS adds alternate taillights that integrate a tasteful lip spoiler, joined from end to end by a rear decklid spoiler. The simple modification completely changes the GTS' backside appearance, making a strong statement about its sporting pretensions.