1
0
Premium midsize car; Built in Japan, Australia
  • 4-door sedan
  • 4-door wagon
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,000 – $1,900*


1992 Mitsubishi Diamante 4-door sedan


1993 Mitsubishi Diamante 4-door wagon


1994 Mitsubishi Diamante ES 4-door sedan


1993 Mitsubishi Diamante 4-door wagon


1993 Mitsubishi Diamante ES 4-door sedan

Pros:
  • Acceleration (LS)
  • Steering/handling
Cons:
  • Automatic-transmission performance
  • Control layout
  • Exhaust noise (LS)

Faults aside, Diamante is appealing due to its stylish design and all-around road manners. Though not a front-runner in any one area, it does have some good points.

Overview

Mitsubishi’s flagship sedan went on sale in spring of 1991, replacing the old Sigma. Offered in base and upscale LS trim, Diamante was a front-drive 4-door notchback. The base model held a 175-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6. The LS got a dual-cam version, rated at 202 horsepower. A 4-speed electronically controlled automatic was the sole transmission. Antilock brakes were standard on the LS, optional on base Diamantes. Both had a driver-side airbag. Optional on the LS was a Euro Handling Package that included traction control and Active Electronically Controlled Suspension.

Yearly Updates

1993 Diamante
Base-model Diamantes added an ES suffix, and both got minor equipment changes this year. A station wagon became available during 1993, produced in Australia.
1994 Diamante
A passenger-side airbag was installed this year, and air conditioners adopted CFC-free refrigerant. Sedans got revised taillamps.
1995 Diamante
Base Diamante sedans were relegated to fleet sales this year, leaving only the LS sedan and the station wagon.
1996 Diamante
Only a sedan remained for 1996, in ES and LS trim, and those were marketed only to rental-car companies.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Base Diamantes used a 3.0-liter V6 engine that made 175 horsepower, mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. The upscale LS got a dual-overhead-cam version of the V6, rated at 202 horsepower, also offered only with automatic.

ohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/182
Engine HP 175
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 185
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 18/24

 19.0
dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/182
Engine HP 202
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 199-201
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 18/25

 17.4

Road Test

Acceleration is adequate, but neither Diamante has enough oomph to stand out among its many competitors. In most driving, the base model feels as responsive to the throttle as the LS. Acceleration times to 60 mph have been quite close: 9.5 seconds or less for sedans, versus 10.5 for the wagon. In highway passing, the LS has the advantage, because of its added strength at higher engine speeds. As for economy, a wagon delivered a disappointing 17.4 mpg, but an ES sedan managed 19 mpg. Premium fuel is required for the ES and recommended for best performance with the less-potent engine.

Noise levels are generally low, though the 1994-95 LS had a loud and coarse exhaust note during hard acceleration.

Regardless of model, the transmission is not always able to find the best gear when trying to stay abreast of quick city traffic. It can also get confused in low-speed turns, though operation is velvety most of the time.

Body roll is noticeable in tight turns, but quite modest. At high speeds, a Diamante feels extraordinarily stable. Steering is quick and direct, and brakes feel strong with good pedal modulation. The firm base suspension provides a supple ride and good cornering grip, absorbing bumps nicely.

Driver comfort and outward visibility are top-notch. Most instruments and controls are easy to see, except for the rather complex radio, whose electronic display washes out in sunlight. The automatic climate system on later models resets itself each time the engine is started, so you have to manually set it again.

Despite appearances, a Diamante suits four adults better than five. Front-seat room is passable, though the optional power sunroof crowds head space for people over 6 feet tall. Rear-seat leg room is disappointing–not nearly as large as the car’s outside dimensions would suggest. Narrow rear-door openings make getting in/out harder than it should be. The trunk isn’t large enough for a family car of this size, either.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1994 Mitsubishi Diamante LS sedan

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 4
40%
Ride Quality - 6
60%
Steering/Handling - 6
60%
Quietness - 6
60%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Front - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 4
40%

Other

Value - 4
40%

Total: 50

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
107.1 190.2 69.9 52.6
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
13.6 19.0 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.6 36.9 43.9 34.2
4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
107.2 192.4 69.9 57.9
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
72.1 18.8 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.7 38.4 43.9 36.0
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1993 Diamante 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 101
Injury 84
Theft 171

Trouble Spots

Automatic transmission
Description: The automatic-transmission front pump may wear out prematurely due to excessive runout of the torque-converter hub. (1992-96)
Electrical problem
Description: The rear-defogger grid is easily damaged if it is not cleaned properly or by objects on the rear shelf. (1992-96)

Recall History

1992-95 Puerto Rico only
Description: Front brake hose can crack, resulting in fluid leakage.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 22, 2014.
Share this:
, , , , , , ,