2003 Mitsubishi Outlander Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
20 - 21 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(153 Total Reviews)
Good value
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I purchased the 2003 Outlander AWD new and have only had oil changes, tires and a couple recalls since. It's been a very reliable, versatile and economical vehicle.
Favorite Features
Select shift and flat folding rear seats.
Suggested Improvements
A few more hp which was added in later years.
Pleasantly surprised in Hawaii
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander LS Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
This car was not first choice but it has been dependable for 5+ years! When on the mainland, it's been to New Mexico, Las Vegas, & throughout California with no problems. Driven through rain, fog, & desert too. It's great to have for long drives & the MPG is comparable to other SUVs of its type/year. The interior is well spaced, especially for back seat passengers, & the stock sound system is surprisingly good. A/C is still running great too. Only complaint is the front seat headrests. I feel like my head is jutted out too forward. Had to just turn my headrest the other way. Also, maintenance at Mitsubishi dealers can get quite pricey, but it is the dealer after all. Great car!
Favorite Features
Stock stereo, interior space, fold down rear seats
Suggested Improvements
Change the headrests! They jut out too far forward.
It all fell apart!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander LS AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I really liked my 2003 outlander when I bought in in 2004, but soon after that I found it had many problems. Every summer water fills inside my air conditioner and causes it to short out causing a new blower motor to be replaced. This wasn't all covered by warranty and they could never figure out why it would do this. Also my entire suspension has been changed and only a year later it's already squeaking. Also our temp dial doesn't rotate freely anymore, the cable designed badly and has been replaced once already. There are also numerous issues with this model and Mitsubishi won't do recalls on. Overall I would not purchase another one!
Favorite Features
I liked the gas mileage before it was $5 bucks a gallon.
Suggested Improvements
Stand behind what you make!
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Lemon,Lemon---oh no
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 3 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS AWD 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
My Outlander has been nothing but problems since I purchased it in 2004 BRAND NEW off the lot. Every year I had water rushing into the passenger side onto the floor. The shop attempted to fix it multiple times. Every time it would happen again until the my warranty ran out and they thought they could refuse to fix it! ha!! LEMON LAW!! Now I replaced the brakes on the front and guess what? I could not get the driver side brake to bleed!! Took it to a brake shop!! The master cylinder is out and I only have two brakes!! the part cost $374. My payment is $500/mo.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Great Ride
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I bought the outlander thinking I was going to buy another car later. Yea right, I'm keeping this bad boy. I made some modifications but from 160 hp I'm up to 190 hp. I'm very happy. Also I put 18" chrome rims on it. And a cold air intake. Think about it. You can wonders with this vehicle. I love it.
Favorite Features
Auto driver window, back seats, and the height from street to vehicle
Suggested Improvements
Turbo unit, and they should have made standard tranny's for this vehicle.
The Most Reliable Vehicle I Ever Owned
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 3 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander LS Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
This is my fifteenth car in 20 years, so for this one to give me almost no trouble for 160,000 miles is truly remarkable. The AC went out at about 100K miles, just after doing a major overhaul as preventative maintenance (the timing belt was still good). The latch on the driver's side rear seat also went out at about 80K miles, but that was very minor. With gas prices soaring and me griping about only getting 24 MPG in this SUV, I did the unthinkable and tried to trade it in on a gas saving economy car. Well, I should thank the sales manager for giving me an insult of an offer for trade-in. I canceled the deal and kept this vehicle. If it works, don't fix it!
Favorite Features
Flat folding rear seats. Easy oil change, just crawl under it without jacking it up. Handles flooded streets almost as good as a Jeep Wrangler. Incredible reliability. Easy entry and exit for the physically challenged.
Suggested Improvements
The 2007 redesign was worse in my opinion, but the seats could use more padding.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Disappointed
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 3 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 2 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 1 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander LS Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I bought this vehicle brand new thinking I was getting a good deal since it was the last '03 in town. Well lets see, the catalytic converter has been replaced, as well as they entire air conditioning system-which you can only buy the parts from the dealership. Also the cv-joints have been replaced and I only get 16mpg- combined city and highway. You would think it had 100k plus miles, but I just traded it in with 67k. There was no power, touchy transmission, a super disappointment to drive. I also felt every bump in the road and it was so uncomfortable. Also my partner was 6'4" and his knees hit the dashboard and he could hardly drive it. It was cramped and a huge disappointment.
Favorite Features
I loved the exterior design.
Suggested Improvements
Engine, interior design, transmission, pretty much everything.
3 out 6 people found this review helpful
Terrific Little SUV
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander LS Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
If you are looking for a smaller, more fuel efficient SUV, you could not find a better one than the Outlander, whatever the year. I have the 2003, in 2 wheel drive, and both my husband and I liked it so much that he bought a new Outlander (AWD) last year when his Subaru (his 7th) quit. I never thought he would abandon his Subarus, but he actually defected to my Outlander's side. The Outlander handles like a dream, has a really nice sound system (once you fiddle with the balance, etc), the intelligent wipers are great, the seats are comfortable, and the gas mileage is respectable once you break in the engine (after about 30,000 miles).
Favorite Features
The smart wipers - slow down when you stop at at light, so you don't have to keep fiddling with the speed! Great feature.
Suggested Improvements
All of the improvements I could recommend for the '03 have been addressed in the newer models! Except that you can no longer tow anything with the newer ones. Shame.
3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Excellent Value
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander LS Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I have had my Outlander for 3 1/2 yrs. I checked Edmunds before I bought it, looking for an SUV that got good gas mileage, was economical to insure, and that was able to accommodate two tall adults. It has made two long trips (over 1,600 miles) and several 400 mile trips each year with no problems.
Favorite Features
I love the great gas mileage! The rails on top make it easy to spot in a parking lot.
Suggested Improvements
It could be a bit taller.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
Good SUV
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander LS Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
I've had my Outlander for almost two years and I am very happy with it. It's very reliable and the performance is good. It is easy to get in and out of and the trunk compartment is easily accessible.
Favorite Features
Is reliability a feature? This is a peppy vehicle for a 4 cylinder.
Suggested Improvements
The window controls are placed too far forward. Sometimes I roll down the back windows by mistake. My fan cuts off and on constantly when running the a/c, which is weird. Also, I have to be careful because of limited visibility (blind spots).
5 out 5 people found this review helpful
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