2009 Mitsubishi Galant

A variety of trim packages is offered on the new 2009 Mitsubishi Galant -- four in total. The range starts at the Galant ES and Sport Edition, both of which are 160-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder models. Two V-6 options are also offered: the 3.8-liter, 230-horsepower V-6 Sport model and the topline sport-tuned 3.8-liter 258-horsepower Galant Ralliart -- a true sport sedan said to give a 0-to-60-mph run in around six seconds. All Mitsubishi Galant models include a Sportronic automatic gearbox for 2009, the four-cylinder engines receiving four-speed units and the six-cylinder engines with five-speed 'boxes. All 2009 Galants also get a tire-pressure monitoring system standard for 2008, while the V-6 models also receive standard traction control.

Carrying a mild bumper, headlight, and taillight refresh (taillights that look yanked from a Hyundai Sonata), the new 2009 Mitsubishi Galant appears to be awaiting a full redesign. However, Galant buyers will have more options, such as four trim levels and three available engines - including a Sport V-6 with 230 hp - and a Sport Value Package with such features as a sunroof, heated front seats, steering wheel audio controls, fog lights, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and an alarm system.

All 2009 Mitsubishi Galant models feature a standard Sportronic-shifted four- or five-speed automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, and side-curtain airbags.

Torque steer isn't as bad as that in a 3.8-liter V-6-powered Mitsu Eclipse or a Pontiac G6 GXP, but it can still get pretty annoying. The hot 2009 Mitsubishi Galant is plenty quick, particularly once you've gotten moving, although the five-speed automatic can be a bit wishy-washy at times. The ride quality can be fairly choppy, too, but the Ralliart is still completely livable as a real car, moreso than some of Germany's factory hot rods. That's a good thing, since the base 2009 Galant is supposed to be a Camry-fighter, and that model is without a high-test version like the Ralliart. Overall, I didn't find this car to be very fun, unfortunately, thanks in large part to its numb steering, heavy curb weight, and high-horsepower, front-wheel-drive setup.