When you're talking about the Mitsubishi Galant ES, you're talking about a vehicle that's truly multicultural. After all, it's a classic Japanese four-door sedan with a fuel-conscious four-cylinder engine. But the vehicle also boasts a European flavor both in look and feel with a ride as firm and crisp as Saab or Volvo models. And finally, it's made in America, rolling off the line in Normal, Illinois-ironic for a car that's anything but normal.This background helps give the Galant a sense of distinctiveness in a competitive market. But a four-cylinder vehicle that reaches the $18,000-$22,000 price range may leave potential buyers wanting more engine for their buck. To placate them, Mitsubishi has improved the Galant's interior and packaged an impressive set of standard features that are offered only as options on most similar vehicles. Our test car came equipped with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine, a four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, dual air bags, a four-wheel independent suspension, power rack-and-pinion steering, a rear-window defroster, retractable cupholders, a power antenna, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and door locks, and an AM/FM radio with a cassette player. The only significant option we chose was an anti-lock brake system (ABS) that, along with destination charges, brought the car's price up to $18,192 from an MSRP base price of $16,775.
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