New Car Review of the 2004 Mitsubishi Galant Mid-Size Sedan.

Description: Mid-Size Sedan
Base MSRP Range: $17,997 - $25,697
Invoice Price Range: $16,879 - $23,839

The Galant sedan grows up with a new design emerging in 2004 to mark a new generation for Mitsubishi's mid-size staple.

Galant for 2004 is bigger than the previous version and amounts to one of the largest sedans in the mid-size segment.

It has an expanded passenger compartment with ample space for five riders including significant legroom and shoulder room on the rear bench.

And it looks glamorous with crisp yet curvy body forms and glittery headlamp and taillight clusters.

Mitsubishi puts muscle aboard from four-cylinder and V6 powertrains. A base four displacing 2.4 liters has valve timing that's a mouthful of a name best crimped to the acronym of MIVEC, which stands for Mitsubishi innovative valve timing and lift electronic control. It rocks with 160 hp. A 3.8-liter V6 makes 230 hp and works with a Sportronic automatic. Two models use the four-cylinder engine and two carry the V6.

An entry-level Galant DE has the four-pack plant and a four-speed automatic transaxle with disc brakes for all wheels, while Galant ES upgrades with a 270-watt audio system plus anti-lock brake system (ABS). Galant LS V6 uses the Sportronic automatic with a traction control system (TCS) as the GTS V6 has sporty suspension tweaking plus projector headlamps in the prow and leather hides covering seats in the cockpit.