There's a decent amount of room for passengers, both up front and in the back. Plus, access to the seats is easy. Beyond its sporty looks, the Galant Ralliart is very comfortable. Long drives are pleasant and painless thanks to a compliant suspension that effectively deals with corners and damaged roads. The driving position is good, although the head restraint could have been set closer. My only real complaint with regard to comfort is the lack of sound-deadening materials; the interior would be much quieter with a more effective mitigation of road and wind noise.

Accelerations provided by the Galant Ralliart are decent.

High performance?
Surprisingly, the 258-hp V6 of the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart ($32,998) is less powerful than the standard 6-cylinder engines of such segment leaders as the Honda Accord EX-L V6 ($34,990), Toyota Camry XLE V6 ($35,020), Nissan Altima 3.5 SE ($31,498) and Mazda6 GT-V6 ($33,095). All of them generate at least 10 horsepower more.

Having said that, accelerations provided by the Galant Ralliart are decent. Engine operation is commendable and, in normal driving conditions, fuel economy is pretty reasonable. The 5-speed automatic transmission with Sportronic manual mode adds some extra excitement to the driving experience while operating smoothly and seamlessly. The ride is just firm enough to deliver adequate handling and no significant body roll in sharp turns.

While the steering is light and precise, it does not provide good feedback to the driver. The brakes are average at best and rearward visibility is mediocre due to the high rear deck and ultra-wide C-pillars. And don't count on the outside mirrors to help you out because they're too small. Maneuverability is further affected by the considerable turning radius, especially in city traffic and parking lots.

Conclusion
Parents with two children will find the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart quite roomy and comfortable. Rearward visibility is a serious concern, although you would likely get used to it after a while. Fuel economy makes this car an affordable purchase, even more so with the $2,000 price reduction on the 2009 model. However, there are still a number of irritants that need to be addressed. In the meantime, remember this: you should never judge a book only by its cover.


Photo Credit : Matthieu Lambert