Mitsubishi Outlander SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV is a compact crossover SUV that has been designed with bold styling that gives it a sporty appearance. This is matched by a sporty handling which is rarely found in this class of family-oriented vehicles. The Mitsubishi Outlander SUV is also an extremely practical SUV with plenty of cargo space for those long family vacations and choice of all-wheel drive for those who frequently encounter snowy winters. There are all the standard and optional features that one could imagine from a DVD player in the rear to a voice-activated navigation system that includes a music player with 40 Gigabytes of storage.
There are three trim levels for the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV. The ES is the base level and comes with cruise control, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery, 16-inch steel wheels, remote keyless entry, a steering wheel wrapped in leather with audio controls, and an audio system with six speakers and a CD player. The next level up, the SE, adds mirrors with turn signals, upgraded gauges and upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, second row seats that slide and a third row of seats, and six-disc CD changer. The top trim level of the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV is the GT and includes all the features of the previous trim levels with additional automatic climate control, automatic wipers and xenon headlights, and chrome accents. A GT model with all-wheel drive adds hill start assist, an active front differential and a mode selector for the all-wheel drive. Options for the SE trim level include an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a nine-speaker premium audio system with satellite radio and the soft touch dash and door trim. Options for the GT model include those offered for the SE model with additional leather upholstery for the first two rows of seats and front seats that are heated.
The engine in the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV depends on the trim level selected. The ES and SE have a 2.4 liter engine with four cylinders that can produce 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque. The GT comes with a 3.0 liter V6 which is able to produce 230 horsepower and 215 pound-feet of torque. Models with four cylinder engines have a continuously variable transmission while the GT has a six-speed automatic. Manual shift capabilities are built into both transmissions.
The ES model of the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV has front-wheel drive as standard while the other two models have the option of all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive on the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV enables the driver to select driving modes to optimize traction dependent on the road conditions and all-wheel drive on GT adds more driver-selectable modes and an improved front differential. Fuel economy for the front-wheel drive Mitsubishi Outlander SUV is rated at 23 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg combined with the four-cylinder engine, and 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg with the V6 engine. The four-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive is rated at 22 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined, while the six-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive gets 19 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg combined.
Driving the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV is a very enjoyable experience. It handles better than most crossovers with steering and suspension finely tuned to create a sporty ride that doesn't mitigate comfort. The four-wheel drive delivers well on sand and snow.
There are three trim levels for the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV. The ES is the base level and comes with cruise control, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery, 16-inch steel wheels, remote keyless entry, a steering wheel wrapped in leather with audio controls, and an audio system with six speakers and a CD player. The next level up, the SE, adds mirrors with turn signals, upgraded gauges and upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, second row seats that slide and a third row of seats, and six-disc CD changer. The top trim level of the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV is the GT and includes all the features of the previous trim levels with additional automatic climate control, automatic wipers and xenon headlights, and chrome accents. A GT model with all-wheel drive adds hill start assist, an active front differential and a mode selector for the all-wheel drive. Options for the SE trim level include an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a nine-speaker premium audio system with satellite radio and the soft touch dash and door trim. Options for the GT model include those offered for the SE model with additional leather upholstery for the first two rows of seats and front seats that are heated.
The engine in the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV depends on the trim level selected. The ES and SE have a 2.4 liter engine with four cylinders that can produce 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque. The GT comes with a 3.0 liter V6 which is able to produce 230 horsepower and 215 pound-feet of torque. Models with four cylinder engines have a continuously variable transmission while the GT has a six-speed automatic. Manual shift capabilities are built into both transmissions.
The ES model of the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV has front-wheel drive as standard while the other two models have the option of all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive on the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV enables the driver to select driving modes to optimize traction dependent on the road conditions and all-wheel drive on GT adds more driver-selectable modes and an improved front differential. Fuel economy for the front-wheel drive Mitsubishi Outlander SUV is rated at 23 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg combined with the four-cylinder engine, and 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg with the V6 engine. The four-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive is rated at 22 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined, while the six-cylinder engine with all-wheel drive gets 19 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg combined.
Driving the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV is a very enjoyable experience. It handles better than most crossovers with steering and suspension finely tuned to create a sporty ride that doesn't mitigate comfort. The four-wheel drive delivers well on sand and snow.
Rubbisg this car is fab - it handles well and I like driving. It is fabulous from the additional extras per range and overall is so safe. I ahve nevr had a problem re safety and driving control - the split tai;l gate makes all fab as the dogs warm to the extra room to move into the cabin area. You dont buy an SUV for speed in 5 sec s etc but you could complain about performance or miles to the gallon!! Fabulous car and my three flatcoated retreivers agree also - we are now moving to the 2011 model!!