2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Aggressive styling
- smooth, quiet ride
- standard voice-activation system
- affordable price.
Cons
- Indifferent engine power
- far from sporty handling
- longer braking distances
- limited cargo capacity.
What’s new
The 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is an all-new model.
Edmunds says
With little to recommend it, the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is outclassed by nearly every other small crossover.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M) 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 for Outlander Sport ES
Outlander Sport ES
vs
$184/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
Vehicle overview
What's in a name? Certainly, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but a name can also create some suspicion. Would you trust something called a Big Mac Lite, for instance? In this spirit, the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has us raising our eyebrows in doubt. It might look the part with its aggressive Lancer Evolution-inspired styling, but there's little else to justify adding the "Sport" moniker to this small crossover.
Mitsubishi does have some history with offering derivative "Sport" models, with the last being the Montero Sport that ran from 1997-2004. In this case, the all-new 2011 Outlander Sport is based on the Mitsubishi Outlander, a crossover SUV we've praised in the past for its agile handling. The Outlander Sport is 14 inches shorter, 2 inches shorter in height and up to 700 pounds lighter -- a promising foundation for added agility and performance.
In the real world, however, we've found that these changes haven't yielded anything particularly beneficial. Reduced weight should mean quicker acceleration, but the Sport also happens to be less powerful. Fitted with the 2.0-liter engine from the Lancer sedan, the Sport offers only modest acceleration. The Sport's handling is also below expectations, as substantial body roll and low grip during cornering will disappoint spirited drivers. The Sport also lacks its bigger brother's utility, as its small footprint means small cargo capacity.
On the positive side, the Outlander Sport's price is lower than that of the Outlander by at least $2,000 for base models. And you also get a fair amount of standard equipment, a smooth ride quality and a quiet cabin. But compared to other compact crossover SUVs, the Outlander Sport just doesn't have enough to offer. Models like the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, 2011 Honda CR-V and 2011 Toyota RAV4 all justify their added cost through their additional space and refinement. And for drivers seeking the type of athleticism that the Outlander Sport's name implies, the 2011 Kia Sportage, Mini Countryman, 2011 Nissan Juke and Nissan Rogue are all better choices.
Perhaps "Outlander Lite" would be a more suitable name for the new 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. But even if it were renamed, we'd still suggest going with the competition first.
Performance & mpg
Powering the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine that produces 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission offered in the ES is a five-speed manual. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available as an option and is standard on the SE models. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available on the SE. As with the regular Outlander, AWD models feature three driver-selectable modes to optimize traction.
In Edmunds testing, a front-wheel-drive Outlander Sport with a manual transmission accelerated from a standstill to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds. That's a reasonably quick time, but with the more commonly installed CVT we expect the Sport to turn in just average performance. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 25 city/31 highway mpg and 27 mpg in combined driving for an automatic front-wheel-drive model. The manual earns 24/31/26 mpg while the AWD comes in at 24/29/26 mpg.
Safety
Standard safety features on the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport include front side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, driver-side knee airbags, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, hill start assist, traction control and stability control.
In Edmunds brake testing, a front-wheel-drive Outlander Sport came to a stop from 60 mph in 141 feet, which is about 15 feet more than what comparable crossovers need to stop.
Driving
Despite its name, the 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport offers little in the way of athleticism. Acceleration performance is passable, but often you'll find yourself wishing for more power when entering highways and passing. Handling is similarly disappointing, with an abundance of body roll that does little to instill driver confidence or fun. To its credit, at least the Sport does have a quiet and smooth ride.
Read our Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Long-Term 20,000-Mile Test
Interior
The 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport's interior offers little in the way of visual excitement or impressive materials. Fortunately, front passengers of all sizes will likely find a comfortable seating position thanks to well-shaped seats, plenty of head- and legroom and a tilt-and-telescoping steering column for the driver. The rear seats have slightly less room, but an average-sized adult should be comfortable enough.
The controls are within easy reach and simple in operation, and the Fuse voice activation system makes some audio and navigation functions a hands-free affair. Even more surprising is that the Fuse system is standard on all Outlander Sports. Less impressive is the Sport's limited cargo capacity -- maximum cargo capacity is just 49.5 cubic feet.
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport models
The 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a compact crossover SUV that is offered in two trim levels: the base ES and SE.
Standard features for the ES include 16-inch steel wheels, heated outside mirrors, cruise control, remote keyless entry, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cloth upholstery, 60/40-split-folding rear seats, Mitsubishi's Fuse voice-activation system and a four-speaker stereo with CD player plus auxiliary audio and USB input jacks.
The SE adds 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, foglights, automatic wipers, automatic climate control, keyless ignition/entry, a sliding armrest between the front seats, a second-row armrest with center pass-through, upgraded upholstery and a six speaker stereo. All-wheel drive is only offered on the SE model and also gets you heated front seats.
Most options are grouped together into packages that are available on any Outlander Sport trim level. The Exterior Sport package adds several cosmetic and aerodynamic elements along with an aluminum fuel door, while the Interior package (available on models with automatic transmissions only) adds piano-black interior trim and an aluminum shift knob. Other packages add interior mood lighting, exterior protection (scuff plates, mud guards and bumper guards) and cargo solutions. Stand-alone options include 16-inch alloy wheels for the ES, a hard-drive-based navigation system, remote ignition and the six-CD changer.
Available on the SE AWD is a Premium package that includes a panoramic sunroof, roof rails and a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system with a six-CD changer and satellite radio. The Navigation package is also only available on the SE AWD and includes the nav system plus real-time traffic, a rearview camera and an auxiliary video input jack.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#19 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 Sport from 2008-2022.$541/yr
vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV
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).0.72x/yr
vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV
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).17.3%
vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV
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 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
5 star(50%)
4 star(33%)
3 star(13%)
2 star(4%)
1 star(0%)
24 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
Great value for money
0ffroader, 05/06/2011
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
I've been looking for a CUV for around two years
to replace my 15 year old sedan. I was leaning towards an Escape Hybrid, but while researching fuel efficient CUVs, I ran into a USNEWS article that described this as the best CUV for the money. I'm glad I test drove one. All profesional reviews blast the "performance" of this, but unless you're into sports cars and like driving really … fast and making quick getaways from traffic lights, it doesn't matter. I don't plan speeding tickets into my budget either and usually drive around the limit with my small kid in the back. This car is perfect for a small family. The rear isn't too roomy, but is adequate.
3.88 out of 5 stars
Peppy enough for me, stylish and nice features.
cdt2833, 07/21/2011
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Job location change increased my commute to nearly 80miles round trip.
Traded in my heavy, thirsty truck for something a bit sporty, comfortable and CUV-like in terms of cargo capacity.
Test drove several Hyundai products including the Tucson and went to the Mitsu dealer last.
Nice features on the ES at the sub 20k price point including handsfree phone integration via FUSE system, … telescoping steering wheel, full complement of steering wheel controls including magnesium paddle shifters for the CVT. Some soft touch surfaces on the dash and door panels.
The 4B11 2.0L is not a hot rod but once you become accustomed to the acceleration with CVT it is more than enough for typical driving.
3.25 out of 5 stars
Reliable, but uninspiring
darkcoupon, 09/02/2014
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
This car has been very reliable. I bought mine in fall of 2011 and, apart from regular maintenance, this car hasn't seen any time back at the dealership. The rest of the car, though, is rather unimpressive. Despite the sporty exterior, the underpowered engine makes this car beyond boring to drive and inspires no confidence when needed. The poor engine would almost be forgivable if the … car achieved the advertised gas mileage, but after nearly 3 years of ownership I still average around 20mpg City and 25mpg Highway. This is mostly due to the fact that the pedal needs to be on the floor most of the time to keep up with traffic. Mitsu would have been much better off including their 2.4L engine.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Good car for the money
mitsudriver1, 09/25/2012
2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
I have about 30K miles on my Outlander Sport.
I purchased this car for commuting and general running about in the city.
It took a little getting used to since I have been driving a Large SUV with V-8 power for the last 15 years.
With that said this car is adequate for what it does. ITs not a very quick off the line but if you use the paddle shifters it helps. Once up to speed it moves … nicely and cruises at 75-80 mph with ease. I have found it to be pretty versitile considering its size. I am able to haul around bicycles, potting soil, plants etc.
I have averaged between 26-28 mpg in mixed city/hwy driving and I don't baby this car.
The handeling is very car like and generally comfortable
2011 Outlander Sport Highlights
ES
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $18,495 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 26 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $161/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 21.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Outlander Sport include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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