Mitsubishi Outlander SUV Review

Design and Engineering

Design and Engineering

 Good

Whilst the current generation Outlander arrived here back in November 2006, the mid-life facelift (from October 2009) sees a far more aggresive 'jet-fighter' front end that looks like it has been pulled straight from the seriously fast Lancer Evolution. Also new is an aluminium roof to reduce weight (which should also improve handling). Compared to the previous generation Outlander, today’s model is bigger all 'round and significantly better looking (we think).

In October 2011 the Outlander received a mid-life facelift and tech-change that included two and four-wheel drive variants receiving various safety and styling upgrades.
Not so good

Not the quietest of SUV’s - tyre and wind noise gets into the cabin when you're on the road.
Interior and Styling

Interior and Styling

 Good

Modern dash layout - comfortable & supportive front row seats - lots of useful storage compartments. The VRX’s interior benefits from leather-finished door trims and drivers console PLUS the top grade's feature a BOOMING 700W+ Rockford Fosgate audio system. The second row seats fold then flip forward to create a large rear cargo space. The rear door has a split tailgate for added convenience (the bottom section when folded down can be used as a picnic seat!)

The Outlander LS two- and four-wheel drive variants have been upgraded with leather-look dash and door trims, new seat trims and the clever warm/cool box which allows you to keep drinks at the right temperature in the upper glove box.

The XLS Outlander has been enhanced with partial leather seat trim while the VR Outlander gets Bluetooth 2.0 and an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror with reversing camera.
Not so good

Steering wheel only adjusts for tilt (up & down) but not reach (out & in). The hard plastics are a step behind the latest 'soft-touch' plastics now being used by a number of competitors. Although there's good legroom, the second row seats aren't as comfortable as others.
Performance

Performance

 Good

There are two engines available across the Outlander range.

First up is a 2.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine that produces 125kW of power and 226Nm of torque.

And, the second choice is a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that produces 169kW of power and 291Nm of torque.

Both engines are available with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT) and there is also the choice of two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive.
Not so good

For a Petrol V6 the economy is more than acceptable, but nowhere near that of a modern Turbo Diesel.
Ride and Handling

Ride and Handling

 Good

The Outlander is a good handler for an SUV on the road. 3.0-litre V6 grades feature S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) which further improves the vehicle's already capable off-road credentials (relative to other 'soft roaders'). The ESP system works well on and off the tarmac.
Not so good

Not as capable off-road as say a Jeep Wrangler or other dedicated 4x4’s (but it’s far better on the tarmac).
Buying and Owning

Buying and Owning

 Good

Performs well in independent crash testing. The highly functional interior should keep families happy throughout the vehicles ownership.
Not so good

The spare wheel is a ‘space saver’ which is less than ideal (but becoming commonplace these days, much to our dismay) for a vehicle that would could be expected to travel big kilometres on holidays.