1994 Mitsubishi Galant Review (continued)
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Walkaround

Crisp and neat would be the most appropriate way to describe the exterior design of the Galant ES. Thanks to Mitsubishi's unit body construction, the fittings around the doors and the attractive curve of the hood of our test vehicle were superb. Despite its sleek, aerodynamic look, the car boasts a higher profile than comparable vehicles--say, the Mazda 626.

High-impact plastic headlights set into a rather slender horizontal band give the Galant an angry look. Hazard lights are deftly set into the fascia below. Two large scalpel-shaped panels wrap around the rear of the vehicle and are connected by a strip of lights that runs across the back of the trunk lid. The painted-to-match bodyside molding was smartly stylish, but we questioned how much protection it would provide from other car doors in parking lots.

Our vehicle was coated in a distinctive Savanna Green Metallic and was topped off with Diamond Coat, an automotive finish that Mitsubishi says will protect the Galant's paint job from harsh elements and preserve its lustre.

Interior Features

The new-for-'94 dark gray interior of our Galant ES offered a nice mix of comfort and convenience. A six-way adjustable bucket seat looked able to accommodate drivers of various sizes, though getting it completely upright required a bit of maneuvering. Both front seats had adjustable headrests.

The steering wheel range movement was impressive, tilting up and down far past what most drivers would require. The instrument panel flowed into the center console for a cockpit-like appearance, and an arch-shaped display allowed easy viewing no matter where the wheel was tilted. Ergonomically designed controls, many with large rotary dials, were always at hand and were well-lighted at night. Vents at the extreme ends of the dashboard provided much-needed side-window demisting. One negative up front: The vinyl that covered the passenger air bag was uneven compared to the excellent finish of the rest of the dashboard.

Rear bench seating could handle three passengers for short hops, but putting three in back for a long journey might make for an uncomfortable trip. Legroom in the rear was minimal when the front seats were pushed all the way back.

The Galant's trunk is roomy: If more space is needed, a key connected to the rear seats allows them to be pushed forward. The rear seats also fold down to accommodate oversized cargo.