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Eclipse and Montero Named a 'Best Buy' By Consumers Digest Magazine

1 November 2000

Mitsubishi's Eclipse and Montero Named a 'Best Buy' By Consumers Digest Magazine

     2001 Annual Buying Guide Recognizes the Style, Performance and Value
            Of the Sporty Coupe, Convertible Spyder and Luxury SUV

    CYPRESS, Calif., Nov. 1 Consumers Digest magazine has
named the 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse sports coupe, Eclipse Spyder convertible and
Montero luxury sport utility vehicle as "Best Buys" in its 2001 Annual Buying
Guide issue for November/December.
    Praising both the Eclipse coupe and Eclipse Spyder convertible as "among
the most stunningly styled cars in the segment," Consumers Digest found
particular appeal in the Spyder, calling it one of the most rigid and
better-built four-seat convertibles at its price level.  But whether the coupe
or convertible, the magazine said the base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine offers
enough power to keep things interesting, and the 3.0-liter V6 is a great
choice "for those who like to feel a much more urgent response when on the
throttle."
    A "redesigned and more refined" Montero luxury sport utility vehicle won
the favor of editors who said, "It's still one tough truck that can tackle the
harsh realities beyond civilization -- particularly true if you opt for the
Limited trim level with its ActiveTrac(TM) 4WD system that lets you shift into
4WD on the fly and leave it there if you choose, on or off the road."  Yet on
the highway, Consumers Digest found the Montero to be very much a luxury
vehicle.  Noting how the new design is a unibody configuration with a
four-wheel independent suspension the magazine added, "That means no creaks or
groans and a nice, cushy ride."
    "The Eclipse and Montero are spirited, exciting, and fun to drive
vehicles," said Pierre Gagnon, executive vice president and chief operating
officer for Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA.)  "The Consumers
Digest 'Best Buy' honor recognizes products that are a great value in the
marketplace and that merit special attention from consumers.  We are very
proud to offer distinctive vehicles that stand out from the rest."

    Consumers Digest defines its criteria for evaluating an automotive "Best
Buy" based on:

    -- Independent testing and research studies
    -- Surveys of Consumers Digest readers or others
    -- Previously published evaluations in books, magazines, newspapers,
       newsletters, etc.
    -- Retail dealers, including their service departments
    -- Personal, hands-on evaluation by the authors and researchers