The front seats are especially comfortable, especially in top-line LS and GTS trim. The optional leather looks first rate, not the shiny stuff often stretched tautly over certain domestic 'sport' sedans, but a softer variety, with a dappled grain and loose, luxurious application. Mitsubishi has paid special attention to rear seat passenger comfort too, delivering up one of the most comfortable passenger areas in the midsize market. Legroom is

The quality of the Galant's interior is right up there with the top Japanese brands, and better than some. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

limousine-like, while the seats themselves offer excellent lumbar and lower leg support.

I took the opportunity to tune in local radio stations, better in the San Francisco area than along the northern coast, and the sound quality of the standard 140-watt audio system was quite good. It features a single-disc dash-mounted CD player too, all nicely set into a metal-finished faceplate. Personally, I'd opt for the audio upgrade, an 8-speaker, 270-watt Infinity Titanium system that adds a 6-disc in-dash changer to the mix; it's one seriously competitive sound system.

Paying special attention to the back seats, Mitsubishi has delivered one of the most comfortable passenger areas in the midsize market. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Other standard interior features include power windows, door locks and sideview mirrors, auto off headlights and an anti-theft engine immobilizer. Interior options include a one-touch power sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, automatic climate control, an overhead console, a color LCD information screen, cruise control and remote keyless entry.

I felt comfortable zooming along with the Galants safety features recently noted during the morning press conference. Daytime running lights, dual-stage front airbags and a rigid body design optimized with crumple zones to absorb impact come standard, while the optional front seat-mounted side airbags, projector 4-lamp halogen headlights and integrated fog lamps were added to my two test cars.