Why Mitsubishi is the ‘best all-around brand’ in the US

THE Automotive Science Group (ASG) has named Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) as the 2019 “Best All-Around Performance Brand” and “Best Economic Performance Brand” for the second-straight year, according to MMNA.

In addition to the overall brand awards, ASG also recognized the 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage with the “Best Economic Performance Award” and the “Best All-Around Performance Award,” and the 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander with “Best All-Around Performance Award.” The Outlander PHEV and Outlander Sport were among the “Best 5 All-Around Performance” vehicles in their category.

Mitsubishi said the ASG’s economic performance assessment found the carmaker’s lineup to offer the best value across any industry brand in 2019, considering purchase and operating costs across the first 6.5 years of vehicle ownership. According to the company, it outperformed the industry average by 27%, allowing it to clinch the “Best Economic Performance Brand” title.

“The 2019 Mitsubishi lineup continues to offer consumers the right mix of efficiency, style, technology and performance, and that blend is resonating with new vehicle buyers,” said MMNA chief operating officer Mark Chaffin.

The Mirage outperformed 1,640 vehicles in ASG’s combined environmental, social and economic performance analyses, MMNA noted, adding the Outlander variants were among the best five vehicles in a field of more than 400 entries.

“Mitsubishi continues to differentiate itself with its synergistic model lineup that leverages lightweight vehicle architectures and fuel-efficient powertrains — a combination that enhances performance while reducing both operating costs and life-cycle carbon emissions,” said ASG managing director Colby Self.

The ASG’s 2019 Automotive Performance Index Study assessed 1,640 model year 2019 cars, crossovers and SUVs using a combination of vehicle data inputs that include life-cycle, environmental, social and economic performance indicators.