2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Review

Name: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Review
Brand: Mitsubishi
Price: 14900 USD

Mitsubishi Outlander GT 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

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Mitsubishi Outlander model years

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byTravis Langness^{Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.}

Pros

Generous list of standard features
Standard three-row seating

Cons

Slow acceleration with the base four-cylinder
Upgraded V6 is available only on pricey and thirsty GT
Limited Mitsubishi dealer network

What’s new

Most of the changes on the 2018 Outlander relate to trim levels and features. For instance, there's a new Limited Edition (or LE) trim level slotted between the SE and SEL trim levels. It adds some safety equipment and aesthetic touches in the middle of the lineup. Also, the base ES trim level now receives the 7-inch touchscreen as standard and the top-trim GT gets a top-down, 360-degree parking camera and heated steering wheel included as standard equipment.

Vehicle overview

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander provides the answer to a very specific question: What should I buy if I'm looking for one of the least expensive three-row crossovers on the market? Indeed, the Outlander is one of just a few vehicles in this price range to offer a third-row seat. You get a lot of features as part of the deal, too.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander ES 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$161/mo

$201/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Now for the fine print. The Outlander isn't particularly exciting to drive; it's also not the most modern, fuel-efficient or comfortable vehicle in its class. That third-row seat is pretty small and difficult to access.

If you're looking for an all-weather-capable three-row crossover on a budget, the Outlander is probably worth a look. But these days, just about every manufacturer is making a competitive crossover, so we recommend shopping around before settling on the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

6.6 / 10

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander might be the right vehicle for you if you're looking for a three-row crossover for an affordable price. You get some modern technology and safety features as part of the deal, too. But a lack of refinement lowers the Outlander's overall appeal.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL (2.4L inline-4 | CVT automatic | AWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Mitsubishi Outlander has received some revisions, including the addition of some standard equipment such as a bigger 7-inch infotainment screen and the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Other changes are relatively minor, relating to features content on individual trim levels. Our findings remain applicable to the 2018 Outlander.

Scorecard

Overall	6.6 / 10
Driving	6.5
Comfort	7.0
Interior	7.0
Utility	6.5

Driving

6.5

All Outlanders except the GT come with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Mashing the gas results in slow and loud acceleration. Handling is uninspiring no matter which model you get.

Acceleration

6.5

The gas pedal is initially jumpy, which gives the impression that the Outlander has more power than it really does. But the engine's 166 hp simply isn't enough. Getting to 60 mph takes 9.2 seconds. You'll need to think twice about pulling into fast-moving traffic.

Braking

6.0

The brake pedal has a spongy feel and doesn't give great confidence. But the brakes aren't touchy, and our test vehicle stopped in 121 feet from 60 mph, an average distance.

Steering

7.5

The steering has a natural feel. It turns in quickly enough that you can have some fun on a back road, yet the effort is appropriately light for around-town driving. It's easy to keep the Outlander steered straight on the highway.

Handling

5.5

The tires provide enough grip around turns to drive at a moderate pace. The Outlander is adequately competent on real roads, but it was a sloppy mess on our test track's handling course.

Drivability

6.5

Pressing the Eco button is the only way around the surging throttle. The engine lacks power in critical situations, though it's still pretty easy to drive. Adaptive cruise control isn't a smooth operator.

Off-road

7.5

Mitsubishi calls the Outlander's all-wheel-drive system Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC). The four different modes (Eco, Normal, Snow, Lock) affect the system's parameters, with Lock being the high-traction mode for off-road driving.

Comfort

7.0

It's not as refined in most areas as competitors. The seats could use more cushioning. The third row, in particular, is suited to kids only. Given the less than stellar handling, we expected a more absorbing ride. Other than the loud engine during acceleration, it is a pretty quiet vehicle.

Seat comfort

6.0

The front seats are far from plush and only OK in terms of comfort. The door and center armrests are nearly unpadded. The rear seats are also not overly comfy, and the middle seat is hard. The third row is situated low, which puts your knees up into your chest.

Ride comfort

7.0

The ride isn't as cushioned as the underwhelming handling would suggest. The Outlander handles mild bumps pretty easily, but city potholes and bigger bumps at speed upset its composure significantly. It comes down to a lack of suspension design refinement.

Noise & vibration

8.0

Wind noise is well-controlled, and the tires are exceptionally quiet. There's some suspension noise over big bumps. The engine stays at low rpm at steady-state highway speeds, but in slower running that low rpm causes unsettling vibrations in the cabin.

Interior

7.0

The first two rows offer plenty of space for adults, but the third row is only suitable for small kids. Build quality is still a bit disappointing as well. Outward visibility is excellent.

Utility

6.5

While it isn't the most utilitarian car in its class, the Outlander does have some versatile features such as third-row seating and a decent tow ratings (depending on engine selection). Despite its large-for-the-class size, several rivals better it in terms of cargo capacity and interior volume.

Small-item storage

6.0

For an SUV of this size, the Outlander has good-size door pockets, but the front bin is far away and the center-console cupholders have no anti-tip function.

Cargo space

6.0

The second-row seats fold in a three-step process. The trunk measures 10.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 63.3 cubic feet with all seats folded.

Towing

7.5

The Outlander SEL 2.4 is rated to tow 1,500 pounds when properly equipped. Opt for the V6-powered Outlander GT and you can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Technology

Mitsubishi in-car tech isn't our favorite, especially when it comes to the usability of their Rockford Fosgate systems. They simply seem dated and tacked on. For 2018, the bigger 7-inch screen is standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all but the base ES trim level.

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander models

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander is a seven-passenger crossover SUV that comes in five different trim levels: ES, SE, LE, SEL and GT.

The Outlander's base engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (166 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque) paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.

Standard features for the ES include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED running lights and taillights, heated mirrors, rear privacy glass, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, a 60/40-split folding second-row seat that slides and reclines, a 50/50-split third-row seat, a rearview camera, voice controls, Bluetooth connectivity, and a six-speaker sound system with a 7-inch touchscreen display, a CD player and a USB port.

Stepping up to the SE gets you foglights, body-colored side mirrors with integrated turn signals, keyless ignition and entry, an electronic parking brake (all-wheel drive only), heated front seats, and an upgraded audio system with satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

The LE (Limited Edition) mostly adds a few aesthetic upgrades (such as black roof rails and black exterior trim) and also gets you blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The SEL starts with the SE's content and adds automatic headlights, power-folding mirrors, automatic wipers, gloss-black interior trim, a power liftgate, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a power driver seat.

The SEL also has some optional equipment that you can't get on lower trim levels. The Premium package adds LED headlights and LED foglights, a sunroof, a heated steering wheel, a 360-degree parking camera system, and a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system. The SEL Touring package includes the Premium package contents plus automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, a forward collision mitigation system with automatic braking, and a lane departure warning system.

The GT comes standard with all of the above options except the advanced safety technologies, all of which are included in the optional GT Touring package. Exclusive standard features on the GT include a 3.0-liter V6 (224 hp, 215 lb-ft) paired with a conventional six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, chrome exterior beltline accents and steering-wheel shift paddles.

Stand-alone options for all trims include remote engine start, a tow hitch and a rear-seat entertainment system. All trims except the ES are eligible for LED foglights and front and rear parking sensors.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#15 out of 29 among Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mitsubishi Outlander from 2008-2022.}

$466/yr

vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.04x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

13%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander.

5 (74%)

4 (12%)

3 (2%)

2 (7%)

1 (5%)

4.4

43 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Why the press hates these cars is beyond me

Michael, 08/20/2018

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl CVT)

My family has bought 5 of these cars (so far) a few Outlander Sports, and I have bought 2 Outlanders myself. This is the only vehicle on the market that can seat 6 or 7 people, has all-wheel drive and gets better than 30mpg. These are the criteria I use to make a vehicle purchase. The 10 year warranty (7 years beyond everyone else's) is an awesome plus. I routinely get 32 mpg driving …

Aside swop collision rolling twice

Taylor Walton, 06/23/2019

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl CVT)

This car and my guardian angle saved my whole family. I have a family of 6 about to be a family of 7. 2 of my 4 children were in the accident. One was 1 years old in a rear facing car seat behind the driver the other a 5 year old behind the passenger. we hit another car cutting into our lane going around 70 miles per hour throwing our car into the air rolling us twice through an …

Beware of "professional reviews" this car is a gem

Mac Jt, 10/11/2018

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl CVT)

Like the heading, beware of so called expert reviewers who for some reason bash this car. The truth is this car is an underappreciated gem. I returned my leases car a year ago and a new job got me looking at new cars. I'm not into luxury cars so looked at Subaru Outback and the Outlander. The Subaru drove better but in terms of value for money the Outlander blew all competition out of …

2018 Outlander SEL S-AWD still good 1 year later

Former Mitsubishi skeptic , 01/16/2020

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl CVT)

Researched throughly and test drove Crv, traverse, nearly bot a Buick Enclave, Highlander. Bought a Outlander SEL S-AWC. Find it to be well done. As others noted...the “expert” reviews and rankings are wrong. They compare 0-60 times and some random specs to $50k SUVs and say it’s no good. There is plenty of plastic in even luxury SUVs, I have seen it and touched it. I was More …

See all 43 reviews of the Mitsubishi Outlander

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2018 Outlander Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$23,945
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$161/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Outlander models:

Blind-Spot Monitoring: Alerts the driver of a car hidden in their blind spot (or an approaching one) to protect them from dangerous changing lanes.
360-Degree Camera: Creates a simulated bird's-eye view of the car for tight parking situations, allowing the driver to see the car from all angles.
Forward Collision Mitigation: Helps mitigate an accident by monitoring ahead, warning the driver of an impending collision and applying the brake in certain scenarios.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover18.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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