Does Mitsubishi still make Colt?
No—Mitsubishi no longer manufactures a car named Colt, and the Colt badge has been retired from its global lineup. The company now focuses on other compact models such as the Mirage/Space Star rather than a Colt.
This article traces the Colt’s history, explains why the badge disappeared, and shows what Mitsubishi offers today for shoppers seeking a small hatchback in the brand’s lineup.
A look back at the Colt name
The Mitsubishi Colt has a long lineage dating back to the 1960s, serving as a compact hatch in various markets over several generations. Over the decades the Colt badge appeared in Japan, Europe, and other regions, with regional variations in design and positioning. By the early 2010s, Mitsubishi began consolidating its small-car offerings under newer names, and the Colt name was phased out in most markets.
Generational arc
Across its history, the Colt evolved through multiple generations, reflecting Mitsubishi’s broader strategy for subcompact cars. The name remained a familiar badge in some markets while being replaced or rebranded in others as new models and platform-sharing arrangements came into play.
Regional notes
In certain regions, the Colt persisted a bit longer or appeared in niche forms, but there was no globally consistent Colt lineup after the early 2010s. Mitsubishi ultimately aligned its small-car strategy around models like Mirage and Space Star.
Before the list, here is a concise timeline of the Colt’s lifecycle across markets to illustrate how the badge was used and retired:
- 1962: The Colt name debuted as Mitsubishi’s compact model in Japan and began to appear in select export markets.
- 1990s–early 2000s: The Colt continued in several European markets as Mitsubishi refreshed the small-hatch line.
- Late 2000s–early 2010s: The Colt badge was gradually phased out in Europe as the Mirage/Space Star family took its place.
- Post-2010s: The Colt name was not part of Mitsubishi’s mainstream global lineup.
In short, the Colt badge is retired in most markets, and Mitsubishi does not sell a new Colt today.
Current Mitsubishi lineup and what fills the gap
Today, Mitsubishi’s smallest hatchbacks are the Mirage (often marketed as the Mirage in the United States and various other regions) and the Space Star (used in some European markets). Neither carries the Colt name, but they serve the same practical, value-focused niche the Colt once occupied.
- Mitsubishi Mirage
- Mitsubishi Space Star
For buyers seeking a Colt-like experience—compact size, affordability, and practicality—the Mirage/Space Star lineup is the direct contemporary option from Mitsubishi. There are no official plans to revive the Colt name in the near term as of 2024–2025.
Summary
The Colt is a historical Mitsubishi badge that has not been part of the brand’s lineup for years. Mitsubishi does not currently produce a model named Colt, having phased out the badge in the early 2010s in Europe and globally since then. The brand now concentrates on Mirage/Space Star as its entry in the subcompact segment, and there is no announced revival of the Colt name. For those chasing a Colt-era feel today, the Mirage/Space Star family remains the relevant option within Mitsubishi’s current offerings.
Who makes the car Colt?
The "Colt" car was made by Mitsubishi Motors, with different versions being sold under various brands like Dodge, Plymouth, and the Colt Car Company in the UK. Mitsubishi introduced the first Colt vehicle, the Colt 600, in 1962. Later, through a partnership with Chrysler, Dodge began selling Mitsubishi-built Colts in the United States, such as the Dodge Colt.
- Mitsubishi: The original Colt vehicles were manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors, with its first model being the Colt 600 in 1962.
- Dodge: In the U.S., Dodge sold Mitsubishi-built cars under the Dodge Colt name, starting in the 1970s.
- Other Brands: Variations of the Colt were also sold under other names in different markets, including the Plymouth Colt in the United States.
- Colt Car Company: The Colt Car Company was a separate entity that acted as the official distributor for Mitsubishi cars in the United Kingdom.
Is a Mitsubishi Colt the same as a Renault Clio?
Mitsubishi Motors will not replace the current generation of the Colt small car, which is based on the Renault Clio, as the company refocuses its line-up on SUVs. The Colt was Mitsubishi's bestselling model in Europe over the first eight months, with 9,728 sales, according to figures from market analyst Dataforce.
When did they stop making Mitsubishi Colts?
The most recent version was a subcompact car model manufactured between 2002 and 2013, sold under the Colt nameplate internationally. Mitsubishi replaced this series in 2013 with a newer generation which reverted to the Mirage name.
What are common problems with Mitsubishi Colts?
Top 5 problems of your Colt:
- Engine stalling. Engine stalling in the Mitsubishi Colt can occur due to faulty sensors, dirty throttle bodies, or fuel delivery issues.
- Gearbox jerking.
- Suspension knocking.
- Electrical faults.
- Idle fluctuation.
