Mont-Tremblant, QC -- The current-generation Galant has been on sale since the fall of 2003, so it's starting to get old. As the Camry and Accord have bloated in size, Mitsubishi's mid-size offering still keeps its svelte shape. For 2009, though, the company is introducing a slightly revised car.
What's changed
For starters, the Galant gets some mild exterior refreshments. The front end benefits from a reshaped bumper, grille and hood, which fit in better with the company's corporate face. The rear end receives new, wider taillights, and the license plate mounting has been moved from the bumper to the trunk for a cleaner appearance. Overall, it isn't a styling breakthrough, but the sedan looks distinctive nonetheless.
The Galant's model range has also been revised. The base ES gets a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that develops 160 horsepower and 157 lb-ft of torque, while the GT gets a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 230 horses and 250 lb-ft. Finally, the sporty Ralliart gets a 258-hp version of the V6 engine, which also twists out 258 lb-ft of torque. Only automatic transmissions are offered across the board, a 4-speed with the ES and a 5-speed with the GT and Ralliart.
On the road
Driving the high-end Galant, it clearly demonstrates how muscular the V6 can be. Punch the throttle and the car leaps forward with a fairly menacing growl. The transmission shifts quickly and you can also nudge the lever in its manual mode for holding gears on the inclined streets of Mont-Tremblant, where we tested the car.
Despite the sporty calibration of the suspension, which gives the car some pretty nice moves, the ride quality isn't sacrificed. The steering transmits a good amount of feedback, but unfortunately, the wide turning circle diameter makes parking the car a little more difficult than we would like.
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| For 2009, the company is introducing a slightly revised car. |
What's changed
For starters, the Galant gets some mild exterior refreshments. The front end benefits from a reshaped bumper, grille and hood, which fit in better with the company's corporate face. The rear end receives new, wider taillights, and the license plate mounting has been moved from the bumper to the trunk for a cleaner appearance. Overall, it isn't a styling breakthrough, but the sedan looks distinctive nonetheless.
The Galant's model range has also been revised. The base ES gets a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that develops 160 horsepower and 157 lb-ft of torque, while the GT gets a 3.8-liter V6 that produces 230 horses and 250 lb-ft. Finally, the sporty Ralliart gets a 258-hp version of the V6 engine, which also twists out 258 lb-ft of torque. Only automatic transmissions are offered across the board, a 4-speed with the ES and a 5-speed with the GT and Ralliart.
On the road
Driving the high-end Galant, it clearly demonstrates how muscular the V6 can be. Punch the throttle and the car leaps forward with a fairly menacing growl. The transmission shifts quickly and you can also nudge the lever in its manual mode for holding gears on the inclined streets of Mont-Tremblant, where we tested the car.
Despite the sporty calibration of the suspension, which gives the car some pretty nice moves, the ride quality isn't sacrificed. The steering transmits a good amount of feedback, but unfortunately, the wide turning circle diameter makes parking the car a little more difficult than we would like.
 |
| Punch the throttle and the car leaps forward with a fairly menacing growl. |