The marketplace for a competitive small SUV in North America is crowded and fierce. Finding the right balance between a car buy that fits your wallet and one that fits your lifestyle is tough. We will break down the outlander model lineup to help you decide.
Who the Mitsubishi Outlander really suits
The current generation Mitsubishi Outlander sits in a sweet spot between a normal small SUV and a full-on seven-seat bus. It uses about the same footprint as a Toyota RAV4. However, it offers an optional third-row seat that can save your bacon when you need extra spots for kids or grandparents.
If you are a young family, or your kids are still in booster seats, this mix of size and price is hard to ignore. You get a proper SUV feel without moving into the much higher retail price of a Sorento or Highlander. Those larger options are nice but hit the wallet significantly harder.
Most reviewers agree the 2022 and newer model years are the best iteration yet. There is a big leap in tech, interior quality, and safety compared with outlander generations of the past. This matches what long-term testers at Consumer Reports and Edmunds are saying.
This SUV targets buyers who might otherwise look at a Subaru Forester or Nissan Rogue but need just a bit more flexibility. It is distinct from the smaller Outlander Sport, which lacks the interior volume of its bigger brother. If you need a three-row SUV but have a two-row budget, this is your primary candidate.
Pricing, trims and why the cheaper grades make the most sense
The thing that really stands out about the Outlander is value. Even when you look at rivals and use any decent guide about finding the best value, this SUV still holds its ground. It simply gives you a lot of car for the money.
You should always look for service specials or incentives from your local Mitsubishi dealer before signing. In the market structure, the Outlander ES sits at the bottom as the entry point. The middle trims are often the smart pick, while top trims bring luxury gear and a sharper price jump.
You can get most trims with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. There are also choices between five or seven seats depending on the specific package. The plug-in hybrid version adds another layer if you want electric running for school runs and local trips.
Before you fill out a finance application or use an online payment calculator, it helps to know what you are paying for. Below is a quick breakdown of feature availability across the typical lineup.
| Feature Set | Base Trims (ES) | Mid-Range | Top Tier | |---|---|---|---| | Wheel Type | 18-inch alloy wheels | 20-inch two-tone alloy | 20-inch premium alloy | | Screen Size | 8-inch display | 9-inch with Nav | 9-inch with Bose Audio | | Safety | Standard safety equipment | Added blind spot aids | Full assist suite |
Why the base ES is better than you expect
Plenty of families glance at base models and assume they are bare bones, but the Outlander ES is not like that. It gives you the same basic space, safety shell, crash tech, and cabin layout as the top trims. You just contend with fewer toys and lighter weight.
The cargo area in a five-seat ES is massive, often helped by a full-size spare tire under the floor in certain configurations. If you do a lot of highway miles or spend time outside big cities, a full-size spare is vital. It is worth far more than an extra speaker or fancy trim.
On the safety front, you still get things like a digital speedo and rear sensors. A good quality rearview camera and auto emergency braking are standard. These features should be the starting point for any family SUV now.
Why many families end up in Aspire
For a lot of buyers, the mid-level trims (often comparable to the Aspire or SE depending on your region) are where the value lands. It usually brings seven seats, all-wheel drive options, and heated seats. You also gain wireless charging and a richer safety package without blowing past mid-range pricing.
You gain useful features like blind spot monitoring and lane change assist. Rear cross-traffic alert and a surround-view camera are also typical additions here. None of those feel like fluff once you are trying to thread a fully loaded SUV through a busy school parking lot.
You might also find special styling packages like the Black Edition or the rugged Trail Edition at this level. These add aesthetic flair without altering the mechanicals. If your budget has a bit of give, this level is usually the smarter long-term choice.
Exceed and Exceed Tourer are more want than need
The higher trims, such as the Exceed (comparable to SEL or Platinum in the US), do look and feel nice. You pick up premium audio, leather appointments, and a big sunroof. Extra climate control and comfort tricks like seat memory or massage are often included.
But once you stack that against what the mid-range already has, it is clear you are paying for niceties. The driving experience is much the same. In some cases, the added weight from more equipment actually dulls the way the car feels.
Resale can be better on top trims, so if money is less tight, this might suit you. For everyone else, the middle of the range hits a better balance. A nicer steering wheel or quilted leather is great, but not essential for a family hauler.
Mitsubishi Outlander review of the cabin: built for kids and mess
Step inside the latest Outlander and you can tell Mitsubishi borrowed a few tricks from Nissan. Reviews of the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander note the cabin finally looks modern. It feels more grown-up compared with the old shape of the third-generation Mitsubishi.
The important bit for parents though is not how many soft-touch panels it has above the beltline. It is what happens below it. Mitsubishi used hard-wearing plastics around the lower doors, seat bases, and seat backs where little shoes make contact.
This might look less fancy at first glance compared to an Eclipse Cross or luxury rival. But anyone who has lived through crayons, sand, and spilled milk will understand. Wipe-clean surfaces matter more than faux leather that stretches and tears.
Front and second row comfort
The front seats feel fine for most people, with decent side support and enough adjustment. Drivers of different heights can get comfortable. However, shorter arms may find the manual slide lever in the base trims a touch awkward to reach.
The view over the hood has a tough SUV vibe. It features a squared-off nose that makes it easier to place the front corners in tight spaces. The steering is light at parking speeds but not totally numb on the highway.
In the second row, the seat backs have better support than older Mitsubishi Outlanders. Adults will be more content there on a day trip. The sliding and reclining base means you can juggle knee room against third-row space when needed.
Third row reality check
The third row is where you have to be honest about your needs. Mitsubishi did something useful by squeezing in a small third row in this size of SUV. However, it is not made for daily adult use like bigger three-row SUVs.
It works best for kids roughly ten to early teens on short to medium runs. You will have to slide the second row forward to make proper legroom. This cuts into space there, but for school sports days it does the trick.
There are no ISOFIX or top tethers back there though, so all your child seats will sit in row two. You only get two top tether points on the outer second-row positions. The center has a fold-down armrest instead.
Boot space and real world practicality
This is one area where the Outlander punches hard. With the third row folded into the floor, you get a flat load bay. It can take large strollers, suitcases, and shopping without playing luggage Tetris.
The quoted load length is solid with row two up and massive with both rows folded. You get over a meter of width between the wheel arches. Height to the roof is generous in the main section, so taller boxes still fit easily.
With the third row raised, you are down to roughly forty centimeters of depth behind it. This is enough for a few soft bags or groceries. That is similar to rivals with small third rows, so the Outlander is no worse than others here.
Clever third row and storage touches
The way Mitsubishi handles the third-row headrests is neat. You can stash them under the trunk floor along with the jack. Or, remove the whole storage tray to gain extra depth for a trip that needs every liter of space.
The pull straps for folding and raising the rear seats may look simple but that is exactly the point. They are sturdy, mechanical, and less likely to break. Complex plastic switches sometimes fail in pricier SUVs.
Seven-seat models swap to a space-saver spare tire. Five-seat models often keep the full-size spare. If you drive in rough driving conditions, the five-seat layout with a full spare makes a lot of sense.
Tech and safety: the stuff you actually use
Mitsubishi stepped up the tech game on the latest Outlander and brought it in line with newer rivals. The center screen is clearer and the menu layout makes more sense. Thankfully, you still get physical knobs for volume and climate.
Digital dash layouts and larger touchscreens show up as you move up the trims. Reviews at CarsGuide and CarGurus point out this is a major shift from the older generation. Previous models felt plain and a bit behind the curve.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, with wireless CarPlay on higher trims. We all worry about personal data and privacy these days. Rest assured, you can use your phone for maps without diving deep into the native system’s privacy policy.
While browsing online, you might encounter targeting cookies or targeted advertising based on your car search. But inside the car, the tech focuses on utility. You won’t be bombarded with ads on your dashboard screen.
Camera systems and visibility
The 360-degree camera is one of the highlights on mid and top trims. Unlike some brands that mash the images together and warp the corners, the Outlander gives a clear bird view. This lets you see all four corners with decent detail.
This matters more than people think. Low-speed crashes in driveways and parking lots often involve kids and pets. Most of that danger lives around the front and rear corners.
Add in front and rear sensors plus a solid rearview camera, and parking stress drops. Even if your local shops have tight ramps and narrow bays, you will feel confident. This visibility is key for any car buy decision.
Driver aids and crash safety
Adaptive cruise control comes even on the lower grades, which is refreshing. Many brands lock it behind higher trims. Once you get used to the car keeping a set gap in freeway traffic, it is hard to go back.
Most trims bring lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and speed sign recognition. Whether you like every beep is another question. However, these core safety systems are proven crash reducers.
Mitsubishi also has a clever throttle cut system. It helps avoid accidentally flooring the gas instead of the brake in parking lots. That extra safety net is no bad thing if multiple drivers use the car.
Engines, hybrid options and how they feel to drive
Right now you have two main ways to power an Outlander. A 2.5-liter petrol four-cylinder engine with a CVT automatic is the standard. Or, you can choose the plug-in hybrid setup that combines a smaller engine with electric motors.
The petrol engine is shared with Nissan and does honest work without being thrilling. Power is fine for daily use. The updated continuously variable transmission is less whiny than older designs, especially at gentle throttle.
It is not as strong as the turbo units you get in some rivals though. You need to push it harder for brisk overtakes. This is especially true with a full load of people and luggage.
The case for and against the plug in hybrid
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is where things get interesting. Many tests of the latest PHEV Outlander highlight its smooth shove off the line. It offers impressive real-world efficiency if you keep the battery charged.
You can drive at city speeds on electricity for a decent stretch. This is especially true in newer models that gained battery range. That means school runs and grocery runs can often happen without using fuel.
The flip side is weight and cost. The hybrid hardware adds a few hundred kilos and lifts the price into serious money. If you will not plug it in often, you are just carrying a heavy battery.
Fuel use, range and towing
Mitsubishi lists similar fuel use on paper for the different trims of the petrol model. In practice, lighter base models get better actual mileage. Extra features add weight, and weight always hurts outlander MPG.
For the outlander PHEV, the MPG combined figure can be misleading if you never charge. When running solely on the gas engine, the fuel economy is average. However, if you plug in daily, your fuel usage drops drastically.
Outlander petrol models usually rate around 1600 kg (approx 3500 lbs) of braked towing. This covers most small trailers and light campers. If heavy towing is your world, you might want to keep looking.
Before you buy, check the towing capacity label label inside the door jamb to be sure. It is vital to match your trailer to the vehicle’s limits. Overloading can lead to mechanical stress and safety issues.
Mitsubishi Outlander review: how it compares in the segment
If you read through best model year guides, you will see a pattern. Most experts call the 2022 and newer Outlander the one to get for tech and comfort. Some older 2019 to 2021 models stand out as cheap used buys.
Compared with the RAV4, Honda CR-V, or CX-5, the Outlander gives you the bonus of a small third row. It usually offers a sharper driveway price at similar feature levels. Its plug-in hybrid version also runs further on electricity alone than normal hybrids that cannot plug in.
On the flip side, Mazda often wins for quietness and steering feel. Toyota wins for long-term resale. The Outlander leans more on being the best value family tool than the most polished SUV to drive.
The Outlander Sport is a different beast entirely, being smaller and less refined. When comparing competitive small SUVs, make sure you are looking at the standard Outlander. The names can be confusing for first-time buyers.
Who should skip the Outlander
This SUV will not be for everyone. If you care deeply about a plush cabin and hushed highway manners, look elsewhere. A Mazda CX-5 or Hyundai Tucson will likely feel nicer from behind the wheel.
If you truly need adult-usable third-row seating for frequent use, you are better off stepping up. A bigger body vehicle like a Sorento is more appropriate. The Outlander is more of an occasional seven-seater than a people mover replacement.
And if you will not ever plug in a car at home, skip the PHEV. There is little point paying for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if you don’t use the cord. You would be better off with the cheaper petrol model.
Reliability and known issues
When looking at reliability / longevity, the Outlander generally scores well. However, no car is perfect. Some owners of older outlander years have reported minor issues.
Common complaints on forums include thin paint that is prone to paint chipping. Some users have noted suspension arm corrosion in areas with heavy road salt. Occasional electrical issues with infotainment screens have also popped up in consumer reports.
It is worth noting that Mitsubishi offers a strong powertrain warranty. This provides some peace of mind regarding the variable transmission and engine. Always check the reliability verdict for the specific year you are buying.
Shopping tools and buying advice
When you are ready to buy, use online shopping tools to configure your ideal spec. You will encounter various options, from a simple checkbox label for floor mats to major packages. Be sure to verify what each checkbox label label actually adds to the total price.
If you are looking at a used car buy, inspect the vehicle history. Check for outlander issues mentioned above. Verifying the reliability / Mitsubishi Outlander maintenance history is crucial for long-term satisfaction.
Also, inquire about roadside assistance packages. Many new Mitsubishi vehicles come with a generous assistance plan. This can save you money on third-party memberships.
If you are looking for finance try using a car finance calculator online to work out the long term costs.
Conclusion
The modern Outlander is the kind of SUV you buy because you want your money to stretch as far as possible. It may not be the flashiest choice in its class, but as this Mitsubishi Outlander review has laid out, it nails the basics that matter for families.
You get real space, kid-friendly materials, and useful safety equipment. It offers strong practicality and an honest list of trims that make sense. The plug-in hybrid brings proper electric commuting to the suburbs if you are willing to charge.
If your priority is a hard-working family hauler, the Outlander deserves a spot high on your shortlist. Whether you are looking for you’re buying your first SUV or upgrading, it delivers. This Mitsubishi Outlander review should give you enough context to walk into a test drive knowing what matters.
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Photo by Azimbek Assarov