Again in 2008, I drove a Mitsubishi Outlander to the shore of the Arctic Ocean and again, in the midst of winter.
The 2007 mannequin I used was the primary of a brand new era on the time, and it was surprisingly succesful within the snow and ice. Nonetheless, the most recent era of Outlander, launched for the 2022 mannequin 12 months, is to this point past the straightforward SUV of 15 years in the past that it wants a very contemporary analysis.
Overview
The Mitsubishi Outlander is a compact SUV, nevertheless it’s among the many few compacts out there with third row seating, and may carry as much as 7 passengers. The third row is tiny, and also you wouldn’t need to put adults again there, nevertheless it exists and it’s a characteristic that almost all compacts don’t have.
The Outlander is on the market with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine or as a plug-in hybrid. In recent times, the PHEV has gotten all the eye, however we simply spent every week within the gas-powered Outlander and located it pleasant in all of the vital methods.
Exterior
Let’s get one factor out into the open immediately. The front-end design of this era of Outlander is polarizing — to say the least. Mitsubishi mounted the headlights low on the perimeters, going dramatically towards the pattern lately. The primary and shiny headlights are stacked vertically on the outdoors edges, with an enormous grille and bars of chrome trim within the center.
The entrance ends of automobiles have historically resembled the faces of land mammals of their construction, with the headlights as eyes, the model emblem as a nostril, and the grille because the mouth. Within the case of the Outlander, the eyes are set decrease than the nostril, and too extensive aside, with a vestigial mouth grille on the backside. The impact is disconcerting.
Nonetheless, Shakespeare wrote “Magnificence is however a useless and uncertain good; A shining gloss that fadeth instantly.” He would possibly effectively have been writing concerning the Outlander.
Inside
When you get into the Outlander, you’re not wanting on the grille anymore. What greets you is a completely trendy cabin, with quilted leather-based upholstery and contact surfaces within the larger trims, and all trendy conveniences.
The SEL Touring Bundle trim we examined was not even the highest of the 9 out there trim ranges, and it got here with heated entrance and rear seats, heated steering wheel, leather-based contact surfaces, a multi-view 360-degree digicam, varied driving modes and extra. The Outlander is snug, well-appointed and thoughtfully designed.
Powertrain
The gas-fueled model of the Outlander features a 2.5-liter direct-injected 4-cylinder engine paired with a constantly variable transmission designed to simulate an 8-speed automated, plus all-wheel drive. Mitsubishi calls their AWD system “Tremendous All-Wheel Management,” nevertheless it’s not materially completely different from different AWD methods.
The naturally aspirated engine produces 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. That doesn’t sound like a lot within the present market, however the CVT makes good use of the out there energy, and also you gained’t really feel such as you’re trapped in a gutless penalty field.
Mitsubishi was among the many first automakers to convey a CVT to America, they usually’ve gotten excellent at working across the annoying habits of variable transmissions. Should you didn’t learn concerning the CVT right here, you’d in all probability assume it was simply an 8-speed automated. The Outlander’s towing capability is 2,000 kilos, which is typical for a compact crossover.
Security and Expertise
The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration rated the 2023 Outlander 4 stars, together with a five-star facet impression score. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security charges the Outlander as a “Prime Security Choose+,” its high designation.
Though our take a look at car was well-outfitted with upper-trim options like MI-Pilot Help with adaptive cruise, steering help, and visitors signal recognition — even the base-trim Outlander comes with a superb checklist of ordinary security help options. Blind-spot monitor, rear automated emergency braking, lane departure, rear cross-traffic alert, automated excessive beams, and ahead collision mitigation are all commonplace, and assist the Outlander earn that Prime Security Choose+ score.
Whereas the bottom trim will get an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, higher trims elevate that to 9 inches, and it’s positioned excessive on the sprint for simple viewing. The motive force data show both has gauges and a 7-inch show, or a full 12.3-inch show within the larger trims. A ten.8-inch head-up show is non-obligatory.
Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto are included at larger trims, however the base trim helps wired CarPlay. Wi-fi charging is included on larger trims. The infotainment system is easy and straightforward to make use of and consists of voice recognition.
Driving Impressions
The driving expertise is the place the Outlander actually shines. Whilst you would possibly have a look at the entrance finish and assume there’s no means you’re shopping for this SUV, it’s price your time to go for a drive earlier than you make your determination. On our common take a look at route, the Outlander behaved like a a lot smaller and extra highly effective car.
A climbing collection of curves tailored for testing sports activities automobiles gave the Outlander no bother in any respect, both with out there acceleration or dealing with. The Outlander’s suspension takes a set and digs into the corners predictably, and soaks up the bumps to maintain the tires involved with the pavement. Coming down the hill once more, the brakes are stable and greater than satisfactory to maintain the SUV reined in.
Total, the Outlander is quiet, stable, and reassuring. It handles like a smaller SUV whereas using like an even bigger one. The ugly duckling is unexpectedly a swan on the street.
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWD Specs
| Dimension | L: 185.4 inches/W: 74.7 inches/H: 68.7 inches/Wheelbase: 106.5 inches |
| Weight | 3,714 kilos |
| Powertrain | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, constantly variable automated transmission and AWD |
| Gas Economic system | 24 mpg metropolis/30 mpg freeway/26 mpg mixed |
| Efficiency Specs | 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque |
| Worth | Base value: $28,940; As examined: $39,865, together with $1,345 vacation spot cost. |
| On-Sale Date | Obtainable now |
Wrap Up
The 2023 Outlander begins at $27,595 for the bottom ES trim, plus a $1,345 vacation spot payment for a backside line MSRP of $28,940. That’s not unhealthy for a well-equipped SUV with house to haul the entire household. Shifting up one notch to the SE trim, you’ll spend $31,990, however this will get you the bigger infotainment system, navigation, adaptive cruise, and all the great things.
It goes on up from there. You’ll be able to choose a trim to get a Bose audio system, the leather-based seats, and extra. The highest 40thAnniversary version retails at $41,340, together with charges.
Aside from the Volkswagen Tiguan, nothing else with three rows is de facto value aggressive with the Outlander, however the Kia Sorento comes closest. If we have been selecting a trim for ourselves, we’d go together with the SE mannequin, which incorporates many of the good trendy options however nonetheless retains the worth down in economic system territory.
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWD – Often Requested Questions
How lengthy will the Mitsubishi Outlander final?
The Mitsubishi Outlander ought to get between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. This can be a very excessive mileage for these sorts of automobiles. Relying on utilization, an Outlander might last as long as 15 years.
Which is larger, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross or Outlander?
The Mitsubishi Outlander is bigger than the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, impacting each the seating and cargo capability. The Outlander has three rows and the power to hold seven passengers.
Is Mitsubishi Outlander fuel-efficient?
Customary third row seating and a mixed score of 26-27 mpg make the Outlander one of the vital fuel-efficient seven-seaters in its class.
