Mitsubishi Outlander Review

2008 Mitsubishi Outlander ES SUV

Debuting a few years after the start of the new millennium, the Mitsubishi Outlander was a late arrival to the small-SUV segment. Like many of its peers, it had a car-based design that translated into good handling and a comfortable ride on paved roads but limited off-road capability. With so many competitors, Mitsubishi tried to set the Outlander apart with distinctive styling and a sporty demeanor.

Compared to popular models from Honda and Toyota, however, the older Outlander models offered less interior space. That problem was addressed in the larger second-generation Outlander, which gained a third-row seat option.

Even with its extra size and standard V6 engine, the current Mitsubishi Outlander still lives in the shadows of its more successful contemporaries, whose reputations for affordability and reliability are well-known to consumers. In spite of its lower profile, the second-generation Outlander is a solid choice if you're shopping for a small SUV. It has the available all-wheel-drive system, high driving position and versatile cargo space consumers have come to expect from this segment, but sets itself apart with its European-inspired styling, advanced technology and lively handling.

Current Mitsubishi Outlander

The current Mitsubishi Outlander model was introduced for the 2007 model year. A total redesign aimed the SUV further upscale thanks to an increase in size, a host of new features and a complete makeover inside and out. Notably, the Outlander gained 4 inches of length, which made third-row seating possible while adding 13 cubic feet of cargo space. Mitsubishi's small SUV is available in three trims: ES, LS and top-of-the-line XLS.

The entry-level ES includes many must-have features as well as a full array of safety features. Moving up to the midlevel LS adds niceties like alloy wheels, leather-trimmed steering wheel and a roof rack. The high-end Outlander XLS offers Bluetooth, keyless ignition, automatic climate control and a fold-flat, third-row bench seat. With the third-row seat, the Outlander has a seven-passenger capacity, though the rear seat is strictly for small children.

The Outlander can also be outfitted with high-tech options like a navigation system, a special 30-gigabite hard drive that can store MP3 audio files and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Xenon headlights and a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system are also available, but only on LS and XLS models.

Every Mitsubishi Outlander comes equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 rated at 220 horsepower and 204 pound-feet of torque. The only available transmission is a six-speed automatic with manual shift mode. The ES trim is only available with front-wheel drive, but the LS and XLS come with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Outlander's advanced all-wheel drive system has three settings including a fuel-saving 2WD mode, an all-weather 4WD Auto mode and a 4WD Lock mode, which locks the front and rear axles together for maximum traction in extreme conditions.

In reviews on Edmunds.com, the Mitsubishi Outlander has received praise for its engine's likable balance of power and economy, as well as its family-friendly design and sporty handling. Sharing its underpinnings with Mitsubishi's much-touted Lancer has clearly helped the Outlander add some excitement to the small SUV category. Potential negatives include ride quality that may be too stiff for some and interior controls that still lack the solidity of the switchgear in Honda and Toyota offerings. Overall, though, buyers seeking value, style and fun-to-drive characteristics in a package that doesn't sacrifice daily usability will find the Mitsubishi Outlander a solid contender.

Past Mitsubishi Outlander Models

The first-generation Outlander was sold from 2003-'06. Dropped into the highly competitive small SUV category, the Outlander had bold styling, a carlike ride and comfortable seating for four, but offered few advantages over its more established competition.

In its first year of production, the Mitsubishi Outlander was powered by a 140-hp 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine coupled with a four-speed automatic transmission. Around-town power was adequate with this setup, but Mitsubishi's compact sport-utility proved quite sluggish in highway passing situations. A jump in horsepower, to 160, for the 2004 model year helped in this regard, but the Outlander's engine still wasn't a match for the smooth and potent four-cylinders in the small SUVs from Honda and Toyota, much less the V6s in the sport-utes from Ford and GM. Throughout the first-generation Outlander's run, both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions were offered.

In addition to the LS and the XLS trims, Mitsubishi added a high-line Outlander Limited trim in 2005 with unique interior and exterior trim enhancements as well as leather seating. Also significant for '05 was the addition of a five-speed manual as the standard transmission on the LS. Highly observant customers may also notice the slightly revised rear styling introduced during this model year.

In 2006, the midlevel XLS was replaced by the SE trim level, while base LS and high-end Limited trims remained. 2006 also saw antilock brakes and side airbags find their way to the list of standard equipment for all trims. Models prior to 2006 reserved those safety features for premium models, making older LS-trim Outlanders less desirable for used car buyers.

SELECT A SPECIFIC MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.