Back in 2008, I drove a Mitsubishi Outlander to the shore of the Arctic Ocean and again, in the course of winter.
The 2007 mannequin I used was the primary of a brand new technology on the time, and it was surprisingly succesful within the snow and ice. However, the latest technology of Outlander, launched for the 2022 mannequin yr, is up to now past the straightforward SUV of 15 years in the past that it wants a totally contemporary analysis.
Overview
The Mitsubishi Outlander is a compact SUV, but it surely’s among the many few compacts accessible with third row seating, and might carry as much as 7 passengers. The third row is tiny, and also you wouldn’t need to put adults again there, but it surely exists and it’s a characteristic that almost all compacts don’t have.
The Outlander is out there with a 2.5-liter gasoline engine or as a plug-in hybrid. In latest years, the PHEV has gotten all the eye, however we simply spent per week within the gas-powered Outlander and located it gratifying in all of the vital methods.
Exterior
Let’s get one factor out into the open straight away. The front-end design of this technology of Outlander is polarizing — to say the least. Mitsubishi mounted the headlights low on the edges, going dramatically towards the pattern in recent times. The major and vibrant headlights are stacked vertically on the outdoors edges, with a large grille and bars of chrome trim within the center.
The entrance ends of vehicles 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. In 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.
However, Shakespeare wrote “Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good; A shining gloss that fadeth suddenly.” He would possibly properly have been writing concerning the Outlander.
Interior
Once you get into the Outlander, you’re not trying on the grille anymore. What greets you is a completely trendy cabin, with quilted leather-based upholstery and contact surfaces within the greater trims, and all trendy conveniences.
The SEL Touring Package trim we examined was not even the highest of the 9 accessible trim ranges, and it got here with heated entrance and rear seats, heated steering wheel, leather-based contact surfaces, a multi-view 360-degree digital camera, numerous driving modes and extra. The Outlander is comfy, 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 repeatedly variable transmission designed to simulate an 8-speed automated, plus all-wheel drive. Mitsubishi calls their AWD system “Super All-Wheel Control,” but it surely’s not materially totally 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 accessible 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. If you didn’t learn concerning the CVT right here, you’d most likely suppose it was simply an 8-speed automated. The Outlander’s towing capability is 2,000 kilos, which is typical for a compact crossover.
Safety and Technology
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rated the 2023 Outlander 4 stars, together with a five-star facet affect score. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety charges the Outlander as a “Top Safety Pick+,” its high designation.
Although our check automobile was well-outfitted with upper-trim options like MI-Pilot Assist with adaptive cruise, steering help, and site visitors signal recognition — even the base-trim Outlander comes with a wonderful record of normal 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 normal, and assist the Outlander earn that Top Safety Pick+ score.
While the bottom trim will get an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, higher trims increase that to 9 inches, and it’s positioned excessive on the sprint for straightforward viewing. The driver info show both has gauges and a 7-inch show, or a full 12.3-inch show within the greater trims. A ten.8-inch head-up show is elective.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto are included at greater trims, however the base trim helps wired CarPlay. Wireless charging is included on greater trims. The infotainment system is easy and straightforward to make use of and contains voice recognition.
Driving Impressions
The driving expertise is the place the Outlander actually shines. While you would possibly take a look at the entrance finish and suppose there’s no approach you’re shopping for this SUV, it’s price your time to go for a drive earlier than you make your determination. On our standard check route, the Outlander behaved like a a lot smaller and extra highly effective automobile.
A climbing collection of curves tailored for testing sports activities vehicles gave the Outlander no hassle in any respect, both with accessible 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 strong and greater than enough to maintain the SUV reined in.
Overall, the Outlander is quiet, strong, and reassuring. It handles like a smaller SUV whereas using like a much bigger one. The ugly duckling is unexpectedly a swan on the street.
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWD Specifications
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, repeatedly variable automated transmission and AWD |
Fuel Economy | 24 mpg metropolis/30 mpg freeway/26 mpg mixed |
Performance Specs | 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque |
Price | Base value: $28,940; As examined: $39,865, together with $1,345 vacation spot cost. |
On-Sale Date | Available 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 dangerous for a well-equipped SUV with house to haul the entire household. Moving 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 can choose a trim to get a Bose audio system, the leather-based seats, and extra. The high 40thAnniversary version retails at $41,340, together with charges.
Apart from the Volkswagen Tiguan, nothing else with three rows is basically value aggressive with the Outlander, however the Kia Sorento comes closest. If we have been selecting a trim for ourselves, we’d go along with the SE mannequin, which incorporates many of the good trendy options however nonetheless retains the worth down in financial system territory.
2023 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWD – Frequently Asked Questions
How lengthy will the Mitsubishi Outlander final?
The Mitsubishi Outlander ought to get between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. This is a really excessive mileage for these sorts of vehicles. Depending on utilization, an Outlander might last as long as 15 years.
Which is greater, 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?
Standard third row seating and a mixed score of 26-27 mpg make the Outlander some of the fuel-efficient seven-seaters in its class.
Source: www.thedetroitbureau.com