2007 Mitsubishi Galant Trims and Specs

The basic Galant is a good-looking sedan with no shortage of standard features. It's also efficient, getting its power from a 2.4-liter, 160-horsepower MIVEC engine.

MIVEC stands for Mitsubishi Innovative Valve-timing and Lift Electronic Control, and it functions by increasing air supply to the combustion area and distributing power delivery at speeds about 3500 rpm. The fuel economy averages 23 city/30 highway, which is acceptable but not exceptional for a mid-sized sedan.

The transmission is a four-speed that can be manually shifted for maximum control. Standard features include air conditioning, dual-stage front air bags, side-curtain air bags for front and rear, and power locks, windows, and side mirrors, and daytime running lights.

Available options include mud guards, trunk and floor mats, and a step tread. The Galant is available in seven colors, including a unique orange called Sunset Pearlescence.

Mitsubishi not half-jokingly states that the name of this trim stands for "extra stuff," as it compares to the base-model DS. That is undeniable, but what do you get with the ES that you don't get with the DS?

It's all the same with the addition of anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), cruise control, and body-color door handles and side mirrors. The result is a slightly more polished look and better braking.

The four-speed transmission has a manual-shift mode (no clutch) for maximum driver control. Most people will never use it, but it's there. The basic standard features include air conditioning, dual-stage front air bags, side-curtain air bags for front and rear, and power locks, windows, and side mirrors, and daytime running lights.

Options that weren't offered on the base model can be added to the ES. Those include leather seats, a sunroof, a CD changer, steering wheel-mounted controls, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Launched as an all-new model in 2004, the Galant for 2007 has an exterior freshening and an interior materials upgrading. Underneath, suspension settings were revised for better comfort and control.

The SE is a mid-year Special Edition version of the ES trim line. What makes it special, in addition to the ES trim, are leather seating surfaces, 17-inch alloy wheels, a color-keyed rear deck spoiler, foglights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a tire pressure monitoring system, a power sunroof, and additional trim pieces.

A 2.4-liter inline four with variable valve timing and lift control produces 160 hp and transmits power to the front wheels through a four-speed "Sportronic" automatic transmission. Consumer Guide saw 0-60 in 9.0 seconds. Reviewers found the engine adequate for a midsize family sedan. The EPA rates it at 20/27 mpg, while Consumer Guide averaged 24.2 mpg in city/highway driving.

The transmission features Adaptive Shift Control and the choice of manual shifting, which never overrides gear choice. Some reviewers praise the transmission's ability to "think for itself" in gear selection - so much so that they felt little need to get manual with the transmission. Others complain of some transmission gear hunting on hilly terrain.

With a front MacPherson strut suspension, a rear multi-link setup, and rack-and-pinion steering, the Galant has all the right ingredients for good handling. Yet reviewers differ, with some finding it "sparkling," and others calling it "a mixed bag." Under normal driving conditions the Galant is a well composed, comfortable driver, but when pressed it shows its midsize family sedan limitations. The Galant is equipped with ventilated front discs and solid rear discs. The trim-standard ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution provide stable braking performance in routine use. But Consumer Guide reported simulated panic stops produced "spongy pedal action and only average stopping distances."

The interior is roomy both front and back, seating five comfortably in a stylish cabin. Controls are large and well placed. Seats are comfortable, though some reviewers wish for firmer support. The 13.3-cubic-foot trunk is well shaped, but the rear seats don't fold down, with only a trunk pass-through standard.

Besides the above mentioned electronic brake systems, standard safety equipment includes dual-stage front airbags, front seat-mounted side impact airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags. The Galant received the highest government and insurance crash test safety ratings.

By itself the Galant is a solid midsize family sedan, however, its competition does everything better, including resale value.

The Mitsubishi Galant GTS adds features, style, and power to the lower-level trims. Let's start with the engine: it increases to a 3.8-liter V6 that puts out 230 horsepower and is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

What makes it outwardly discernible from the ES is some aesthetic upgrading in the form of a rear spoiler, 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, and a few other exterior accents. Inside, the bonuses center around the seating, with heated leather seats and a power-adjustable driver's seat as the highlights.

As expected, fuel economy dips on this trim, down to 18 city/27 highway. Nobody buys a GT-anything for its efficiency, but rather for the speed, and Mitsubishi says this one can go from 0 to 60 in 7 seconds.

That said, it's a pretty enough car, and it contains the right amount of lifesaving equipment, with front and side-curtain air bags, ABS, a tire pressure monitoring system, and traction control. It earned good ratings in IIHS crash-testing.

The Galant Ralliart is Mitsubishi's antidote to the "boring sedan." And sure enough, we agree that 0 to 60 in 6.5 seconds is not too dull.

The source of that power is a 3.8-liter, 258-horsepower V6 linked to a 5-speed Sportronic automatic transmission. This savvy tranny features Adaptive Shift Control, a technology that "remembers" your unique driving habits and responds with appropriate alterations to the shift points to optimize your driving. The upgraded suspension is specially tuned for sporty performance.

Although it's essentially a slightly more loaded GTS, the Ralliart stands out aesthetically from that trim and the other Galants with its unique grille and front bumper, specially-shaped headlights, and 18-inch 7-spoke alloy wheels. Inside the enhancements run from heated perforated-leather seating surfaces to an auto climate-control system, power sunroof, and a premium audio system by Rockford Acoustic Design (the audio system includes a 6-month teaser subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio). They also toss in a Homelink integrated security transmitter to streamline your home and auto security.

The Ralliart lets you be confident in your safety in that it contains a full complement of air bags, including side-curtain units for front and back seats, plus ABS and traction control. A tire pressure-monitoring system gives a heads-up when something is amiss with any of the tires, and daytime running lights increase your car's visibility to others.