[1] The model name was derived from a combination of the English car and the Greek kharisma, meaning "divine gift".

[7] The Carisma had a fairly neutral design as a result of being Mitsubishi's first attempt to target the traditionally conservative European company car market, where it competed with the likes of the Ford Mondeo.

The Carisma underwent a slight redesign again in 2002, with the main difference being new tinted headlights, new alloy wheel designs and black front grilles, instead of chrome.

However, in France a special edition of the Carisma called the GT was available, and was featured alongside the Evolution rebadge in promotional brochures.

In Japan, the Carisma was sold at a specific retail chain called Car Plaza.