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2004 Mitsubishi Diamante Road Test

Looking Good is Easy in this Car

Mitsubishi revealed the new 2004 Diamante, with its comprehensive nose job at last years New York International Auto Show, almost exactly a year ago today.

While most that go under the plastic surgeons knife do so to undergo a transformation from less than ideal to downright sexy, the Diamante was already a looker. The new car, however, aligns with the Mitsubishi familys new design language, with all models highlighted by a distinctive bisected grille. The Diamantes long nose is less aggressive than its stable mates though, coming across like a refined, upscale luxury car.

Thats a good

The Diamante was already a good looking car, but the update last year made it appear even more upscale. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

thing as it is intended for wooing entry-luxury buyers who might otherwise opt for a Nissan Maxima or Toyota Avalon. While these two comparisons are almost diametrically opposed in their target market, the first focused on sport-oriented sedan owners and the latter attempting to harness an older, luxury buyer, the Diamante does a pretty good job of straddling the middle

The Diamante does a pretty good job of straddling the middle ground between sports-oriented and luxury. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

ground. Those wanting a little more pepper in their gazpacho can order a sporty VR-X version while the "hold the salt" crowd can make do with the stylish LS.

While Im not too worried about the effects of spicy food, my test car came in LS trim just the same. I longed for the VR-X that was parked in the back lot of the dealership, with its racy rear decklid spoiler, white analog gauges framed in a two-toned sport steering wheel, and bolstered buckets

The Diamante LS has a refined and classy look. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

featuring the models "VR-X" designation embroidered into the seatbacks, but alas my week was to be tamer in comparison.

The LS is classy, with chrome adorning the door handles and side moldings, window surrounds and marker lights. The rear lights, rear license plate surround, and emblems are done in brightwork too, back and front, with the latter flanked with two chrome embellished grille openings. Overall its one refined looking package.

On the inside the Diamante is laid out in a more conventional manner than the Japanese brands latest offerings. The comfortable,

More conventional than Mitsubishis newer offerings, the interior of the Diamante is well appointed and fairly refined. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

supportive seats are leather clad, one of many standard features, complimented with crinkled leather on the door panels. The "environmentally friendly" woodgrain is fairly authentic, with higher quality tactility than the majority of domestic brands and some imports. Its red tone and fine grain mimic mahogany, giving the cabin a unique appearance when compared to more common walnut.

The center stack is the first of only a few of my gripes. Oh, the Mitsubishi/Infinity audio system is good, dont get me wrong. It boasts 270-watts after all. But the way it integrates into the console comes across looking aftermarket, not up to the level of the majority of its competitors.

The way the stereo integrates into the console comes across looking aftermarket, not up to the level of the majority of its competitors. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

Just underneath is an open compartment identical in size and shape to the audio head unit overhead. It looks designed to hold CDs but they tend to slide out while accelerating, leaving a gaping hole that seems as if it should be filled with another stereo component. Please Mitsubishi, fill it up with something. Even a lid would do.

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