Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Mitsubishi 380 GT 2005 Review

Its Adelaide maker calls the GT the "signature model" of the 380 range.

Certainly the GT is a well-equipped, comfortable, competent car with deceptively good cornering ability, strong and fuss-free brakes, a quiet engine and very good fuel economy for a 1700kg car with a 3.8-litre V6 engine. Yet one has to ask if it stands out much from the pack.

And much of this has to do with styling. Many people have commented that they haven't seen a Mitsubishi 380 on the road. Perhaps they have seen them but the car has not stood out enough to be quickly identified. It's something Honda and Toyota suffered from: they built very competent, inoffensive cars but which lacked that touch of aura, charisma, excitement or appeal that makes you want to buy one and park it in the driveway to make the neighbours drool.

Mitsubishi has put a lot of work into the 380 range, starting with a U.S. model and re-engineering it for Australia. And it's built with state of the art technology at the Tonsley Park plant in Adelaide.

Starting with the entry-level model called the 380, one branch of the line-up goes to the luxury side - the LS and the $46,490 LX. Another branch is the sporty side, being the VRX which is priced from $39,990 in automatic transmission form.

The GT brings these two streams together. But it retains the same airbag kit (two front and two front side airbags) and drivetrain as all models of the 380 range - a 3.8-litre V6 giving 175kW power and 343Nm torque.

The GT however gets 17in alloy wheels and 55-series tyres, a deep front spoiler which includes fog lamps, a deeper rear bumper, large chrome-tipped oval exhaust tip plus subtle rear spoiler that integrates into the clear-lens rear tail lights.

The GT also gets rear parking sensors. All 380s have traction control, ABS brakes and power windows.

Standard equipment inside the GT includes full soft black leather trim, dark woodgrain highlights across the dashboard, an electric sunroof plus 10-way power driver's seat and six-way power front passenger seat each with three-person memory. The GT's boot lid is lined. The car is built with Bluetooth capability and for about $3800 it can be fitted with a satellite navigation system. Like the other upper models of 380 it has a six-stack in dash CD and eight speakers.

All this is in the $47,990 price for the Mitsubishi 380 GT, including its five-speed sequential shift automatic transmission.

That price puts it between models of all its main rivals. Holden Calais with a 190kW engine and five-speed sequential automatic is $53,290 and the Berlina 175kW 3.6-litre with four-speed automatic is $43,450. Neither Holden has leather trim standard. Ford Fairmont is $43,195, giving 190kW power but only 16in wheels, a four-speed automatic and no leather trim. Fairmont Ghia comes with 17in wheels, leather and six-speed automatic and is priced at $52,860.

Toyota's Camry has the old three-litre V6 of 141kW and four-speed automatic at $46,000 for the Grande and $49,100 for the Azura, each with leather trim.

Lift the gas strut bonnet of the Mitsubishi GT and you'll see a transverse V6 engine with a fair bit of weight ahead of the front axle line. But the car is fairly well balanced and produces no handling vice when driven hard. The front suspension towers are joined by a cross-brace which underlines the sporty intent of this variant.

Although the cabin is spacious, here's another car that forces the middle rear passenger to have a hard pew - and straddle a "transmission" tunnel even if it is front-wheel drive. As noted on other 380 variants there is no fold-down rear seat back rest; only a ski port. The boot is a good size but nothing to embarrass the rival models.

The engine is willing yet is very fuel efficient. It needs only light throttle applications and a driver looking ahead can gain by lifting off as this car rolls on for some time. Economy is helped by long legs on the highway - just 1900rpm at 110km/h. We averaged 10.2 litres/100km, albeit with some country running.

It may lack the wow factor but the 380 GT is a sensible and pleasant car to live with.

Pricing guides

$5,550
Based on 19 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
Lowest Price
$2,985
Highest Price
$8,990

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
LS 3.8L, ULP, 5 SP AUTO $3,410 – 5,390 2005 Mitsubishi 380 2005 LS Pricing and Specs
(base) 3.8L, ULP, 5 SP MAN $2,860 – 4,510 2005 Mitsubishi 380 2005 (base) Pricing and Specs
LX 3.8L, ULP, 5 SP AUTO $4,180 – 6,160 2005 Mitsubishi 380 2005 LX Pricing and Specs
VR-X 3.8L, ULP, 5 SP AUTO $4,180 – 6,160 2005 Mitsubishi 380 2005 VR-X Pricing and Specs
Pricing Guide

$2,985

Lowest price, based on 13 car listings in the last 6 months

View cars for sale
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.