2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review

Name: 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review
Brand: Mitsubishi

Price Range: $10,853 - $20,998

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$15,788 avg. price

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Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model years

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Brent Romans^{Senior Manager, Written Content
Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at Edmunds and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.}

Pros

Well-equipped for the price
Generous warranty coverage surpasses that of many rivals

Cons

Ride quality is jarring on bumpy roads
Many interior materials look and feel cheap
Transmission is aggravating due to slow responses
Raucous drone while accelerating (especially with 2.0-liter engine)

What’s new

For 2018, the Mitsubishi Outlander receives updated styling front and rear, minor interior enhancements, and changes said to reduce cabin noise. There are new features this year as well. Every Outlander Sport now has a touchscreen display, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is included on most trim levels. There's also a new option package for the SEL trim level that includes advanced driver safety aids. The GT trim level has been discontinued.

Vehicle overview

Relativity often influences critical opinion. Just as Happy Gilmore could be seen a cinematographic masterpiece compared to, say, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is worlds better than classic automotive stinkers such as the Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto. Undoubtedly, the Outlander Sport will safely get you to where you need to go. But compared to its modern competition, this pint-sized Mitsubishi falls short in nearly every category.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near McKinney, TX

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2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
2.0 ES 4dr SUV
$15,998
- 64,661 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 24 City / 30 Hwy MPG
- CarMax McKinney (4 mi away)
- Free delivery available*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
- Auto Climate Control
Close
Located in McKinney, TX
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: Yes
Features and Specs:
27 Combined MPG (24 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JA4AP3AU9JU007889
Stock: 26727744
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
2.4 SE 4dr SUV
$10,853
fair price
$514 below market
- 115,586 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 23 City / 28 Hwy MPG
- Driveway (1,178 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Chesapeake, VA
CarFax No Accidents Reported,Apple CarPlay,Back-Up Camera,Bluetooth,Brake Assist,Heated Seats,Keyless Start,Satellite Radio,4 Cylinder Engine,4-Wheel ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (23 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JA4AR3AWXJZ012839
Stock: JZ012839VA
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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We say "nearly" because there are a couple bright spots to the Outlander Sport. The main one is value. It's one of the least expensive crossover SUVs you'll come across, yet Mitsubishi has managed to pack it with most of the features you'll likely want. Mitsubishi's warranty coverage is also better than most, which could further the financial appeal of the Outlander Sport if you plan to own it for a long time.

But for everything else we evaluate vehicles on, the Outlander Sport brings up the rear. It's noisy and slow when accelerating, uncomfortable and harsh-riding over bumps, and not overwhelmingly versatile from a utility standpoint. In general, the Outlander Sport is ineffective at convincing you that you bought anything other than basic transportation.

Like a plucky Happy Gilmore winning a golf tournament to save the day, we'd like to see the plucky Outlander Sport rise to greatness. For now, however, we think you'll be much happier with rival crossovers such as the Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade and Mazda CX-3.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

6.1 / 10

There's undeniable appeal in the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport's low price and high level of standard features. But it's such an underwhelming vehicle to drive that we can't recommend it over its more refined competitors.

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 a 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SEL (2.4L inline-4 | CVT automatic | AWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Outlander Sport has received only minor revisions. Our findings remain applicable to this year's model.

Scorecard

Overall	6.1 / 10
Driving	5.0
Comfort	5.0
Interior	6.0
Utility	6.5
Technology	6.5

Driving

5.0

The "Sport" in Outlander Sport is a misnomer. The 2.0-liter engine is underpowered, the CVT performs poorly, and its handling and suspension tuning are unrefined. It's a pretty dreary vehicle to drive.

Acceleration

5.5

Our measured 0-60-mph time of 8.5 seconds with the 2.4-liter engine is a bit better than average for this class of vehicle. Performance suffers with the smaller engine, though. With either engine, acceleration is uneven because of an overly sensitive gas pedal.

Braking

5.5

The brake pedal is soft, so you may have to press it a bit harder than expected to slow the Outlander Sport. Distances in simulated-panic stops from 60 mph are reasonable for this class. However, stability under hard braking is poor due to extreme nosedive and side-to-side wiggling.

Steering

5.0

Every steering motion is met with a delayed body reaction. Even worse, there's very little on-center feel. You constantly have to make adjustments to keep the Outlander Sport going straight down the road.

Handling

5.0

The Outlander Sport suffers from skittish handling and large amounts of body roll when it's driven aggressively around turns. It doesn't inspire much confidence in its ability to make evasive maneuvers during emergency handling situations.

Drivability

5.0

The Outlander Sport lurches forward when you first accelerate because of a jumpy gas pedal and overly aggressive CVT transmission gearing. You can manually shift for fixed gear ratios with the shift paddles, but reactions are sluggish and inconsistent.

Comfort

5.0

The Outlander Sport lacks the ride comfort and suspension compliance of its competition. It's OK for around-town use, but those who often drive long distances will find it overly fidgety on the highway.

Seat comfort

5.0

Our test vehicle had the leather upholstery. It's hard and inflexible, reducing comfort. You also tend to sit very upright, like at a dinner table. It's not comfortable for long-distance driving.

Ride comfort

4.0

Kind of the worst of all worlds. The Outlander Sport rides harshly over sharp-edged bumps and cracks, yet it is floaty over smooth undulations in the road.

Noise & vibration

5.0

There's no escaping noise inside the Outlander Sport. From the droning engine to road surface and wind noise, you're always aware of your environment. The engine is very noisy during hard acceleration. Note that Mitsubishi says the 2018 model is quieter.

Climate control

6.0

The Outlander Sport's climate system is loud when you crank up the fan speed. Overall, system performance is adequate.

Interior

6.0

The Outlander Sport's controls are easy enough to use, but the ergonomics aren't suited to a wide range of body types. It's also hard to see out the back windows.

Ease of use

7.0

All controls are easy to access and clearly marked. The metal column-mounted paddle shifters are a nice touch — most cars just have plastic. Gauges are clear and readable.

Getting in/getting out

7.0

The front doors are large and open wide. Although equipped with keyless entry, you still have to push a button on the door handle to lock and unlock. Front seat passengers will find getting in and out is easy, but taller adults will have to tuck their heads down to get in back.

Driving position

5.0

The Outlander Sport puts you in an upright driving position that's not unlike your mother telling you to sit up at the dinner table. Even with eight-way power seats and an adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, the range of adjustability is limited.

Roominess

5.0

It seems as small on the inside as its compact exterior proportions suggest. This is not a vehicle for taller passengers. Despite the rear seat cushion's low perch, headroom is still lacking.

Visibility

6.0

There's good visibility forward and to the sides, but large roof pillars and a small rear window limit your view out the back. The side mirrors are large. The rearview camera has a low resolution, but it's still usable and helps in confined parking lots.

Quality

7.5

The Outlander Sport is built well. While the design is dated, all the trim pieces fit together as a cohesive unit. There were no rattles and noises from our test vehicle. The quality of the materials is subpar, however.

Utility

6.5

The Outlander Sport doesn't excel in any area, but it works adequately for cargo duty. There's also plenty of small-item storage available.

Small-item storage

6.0

You'll find lots of small-item storage. The door pockets are large and can take a medium-size water bottle, and the cubby under the center stack can hold a phone. There are two cupholders and a cubby situated in the center console.

Cargo space

6.0

The 60/40-split bench can be folded without removing the headrests or sliding seats forward, but the release button is difficult to access from the hatch. Once folded, the area is flat and expansive, and the tall roofline and short carry-over distance make loading easy.

Child safety seat accommodation

7.5

Car seats can be accommodated in the two outboard rear seating positions thanks to easily accesible latch points, while the upper anchors can only be accessed from the hatch area.

Technology

6.5

We have yet to test this year's updated infotainment system on the Outlander Sport. But we like that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard on every trim level except the base ES.

Compare 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport models

The 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a five-passenger compact crossover SUV that can be seen as the little brother to the three-row Outlander. The entry-level ES and LE are motivated by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (148 horsepower, 145 pound-feet) that is a bit slow. The SE and SEL are powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder (168 hp, 167 lb-ft) that feels more potent. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on all trims.

Standard ES features include 18-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, remote locking and unlocking, cruise control, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, a driver information display, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen display, a rearview camera, and a four-speaker audio system with a USB port. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional.

The LE trim adds xenon headlights with LED running lights, fog lights, special exterior and interior styling details, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a slightly smaller touchscreen (6.5 inches) that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

Next is the Outlander Sport's SE trim. It gets most of the LE's upgrades except the xenon headlights and styling changes. It also has the 7-inch touchscreen (now with the Android and Apple phone integration) and a six-speaker audio system with satellite radio and an extra USB port.

When you step up to the SEL, you get the xenon headlights plus power-folding mirrors, automatic wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery and a power-adjustable driver seat.

The main factory option for the 2018 Outlander Sport is a Touring package for the SEL. It includes a panoramic sunroof, a nine-speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and automatic high-beam headlights.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 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 $2.74 per gallon for regular unleaded in Texas.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas

$133/mo

$142/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above 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

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

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

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.}

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

52 reviews

5(48%)

4(29%)

3(9%)

2(4%)

1(10%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Don’t listen to the “expert” reviews

Joshua E, 09/21/2018

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 LE 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

I purchased one for less than 20k out the door total with tax and all. A 2018 outlander sport 2.0 limited edition with awd. The interior is really nice. Seats are comfortable. don’t let a review stop you from a test drive. Go see for yourself. The reviewers saying it’s sooo slow the cvt sucks and it’s just errrr cheap. See what other suvs you can find for under 20k that are awd and not a … complete base model... I went to Toyota Honda Nissan Kia ford Chevy dodge Jeep I spent months looking test driving just wasting time... I had a 2012 Ford and contrary to all the reviews who said it’s nice etc etc. the car completely fell apart it creaked clunked and rattled from every panel there was. Not to mention those funky curvy designs the rest of the manufactures have followed make its impossible to clean your interior. Especially in a dusty condition. Now I’ll be that guy and say these have better interior than a lot of the competion it’s simple elegant interior. Unlike most reviewers I love that about it! I don’t want some funky space ship looking interior that I cant find what button does what. The climate control on these period is how it should be standard on all of them in my opinion. Simple nobs with an auto setting and a knob for temperature.... heated seats are standard! I mean common sorry this 20k vehicle doesn’t quite look like your Mercedes’s bens inside that costed 3x that price tag... Really....who’s buying these to do 0-60 times or push performance. I got mine because I needed an efficient comfortable quiet ride that was both safe and reliable and plus that 34mpg highway over what it’s rated for in the first place is outstanding. Coming from a ford owner you couldn’t pay me to take another one. My family owns ford gm dodge jeeps and I’ve seen the insides of all of them I’ve rode in all of them. For what this is with this price it’s unrivaled hands down. Sure go get your ford cause you wanted a refined everything and all that new stuff they don’t know how reliable it’s going to be because it was released to sell. Mitsubishi doesn’t do that. They take something that was already reliable for years and build upon it trying to improve it. Not build a new car to match all the 0-60 times of new cars and all that. Again who buys one of these to go fast. If you want fast go get a Range Rover supercharged for 4x the price tag. Simple reliable safe and fuel Efficient is what I wanted and it’s comfy the steering is perfectly fine and the cvt though it’s my first cvt vehicle i love it. Smooth constant pull to 55mph at 2000 rpm argue with that!!! It indeed has shift points somewhat it really just seems to hold one rpm when accelerating as much as it can unless you let off and as your letting off it feels exactly like it’s shifting. I love it. 5 transmissions in my ford and countless times of getting boned by the stealership. No more! Take a test drive before you let the expert reviewers change ur mind cause they get payed by the competion. You may well just drive one home.

I’m loving my Mitsubishi sport even more

Ron g, 09/09/2018

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

It’s nice to have a suv for 3 years and no have one problem. I love driving my Mitsubishi . Nice and roomy inside and drives great. Will buy another one.

Excellent Value ..Drive one and decide

MattC, 08/12/2019

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

First off this isn't my car but my In-laws. They were looking for an all weather small SUV that would be easy to get into, easy to drive and comfortable. My Mother-In Law would be the primary driver as my Father-In-Law has unfortunately not able to drive any more. She reached out to me for suggestions on vehicles. Our family and my wife's family have had primarily Honda products for … the last 25 years . However, I had an earlier 2001 Mirage that was a long distance commuter car that I proceeded to put 250k mileage on it in a few years (with zero non scheduled maintenance issues). With That said, The Honda vehicles have been good but we have all had issues with poor Honda driver seats. I had an earlier Outlander Sport as a rental vehicle and came away impressed with the standard features and comfort. My In-laws test drove one and bought one the following week. They love it. Pros: Quiet and comfortable ride. I do not know what the "professional" reviewers are talking about. I have taken this vehicle on several long trips with 4 people aboard. The car is quiet and comfortable. One can easily toggle the shifter to (s) to move it out of ECO setting to Sport if needed. Default setting is fine for the majority of driving. Hwy mileage is usually close to 30mpg The Interior is well laid out and screwed down . Driver's seat comfort is excellent with ample adjustments . Rear seats are fine. The infotainment screen is responsive and easy to use. This particular vehicle has a safety suite of backup camera/ lane assist/forward collision alerts. Interior materials are on par with the competition. (again not sure what the professional reviewers are talking about.). Sight lines are stellar. The warranty is fantastic . The engine/transmissions have been in service for many years so any bugs have already been worked out. (see new CR-V 1.5L Turbo issues for context. Not slamming Honda but sometimes tried and true designs are fine for most buyers) AWD system is excellent with a dedicated "AWD" button on the center console to lock the differential of 50/50 split in really bad conditions. Finally, Value reigns supreme here. Mitsubishi is fighting with the big boys in this segment for your dollars. They offer a lot of features and a great warranty for less than the competition. There are many excellent vehicles in this segment and I feel the Outlander Sport holds its own . Cons: While the Outlander Sport drives well (My review is with the 2.4L/CVT/AWD SEL model). I feel that Toyota's 2.5L is the best standard engine in this class. A little more power or an slightly more aggressive retuning of the CVT would help. Rear storage is on the smaller scale compared to the rest of the segment. That's it really. Update: The vehicle currently has only 15000 miles on it as of Aug2021. Fuel economy has been as high as 34 mpg but average is about 30mpg. No rattles/issues to report. This is an excellent car

Still a Mitsubishi and that good!

Josharoo, 02/18/2019

2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 LE 4dr SUV 4WD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

I have owned several Mitsubishi over the years including the horrible rated Mirage which was actually a fun little car to drive. I decided I wanted just a tad more power and room. I got the LE with the 18 inch black rims. This vehicle is a fun ride, has plenty of power, and some perks that are not common for the price. Yes I am aware that it's an "outdated" vehicle according to experts …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, so we've included reviews for other years of the Outlander Sport since its last redesign.

See all 52 reviews of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

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2018 Outlander Sport Highlights

Trim:

2.0 ES

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$20,395
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$133/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	21.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Outlander Sport models:

Forward Collision Mitigation: Detects an imminent collision ahead. Warns the driver and can automatically apply the brakes.
Auto High-Beam Headlights: Automatically switches between low beams and high beams based on oncoming traffic.
Lane Departure Warning: Monitors the vehicle's lane positioning. Can warn the driver if the vehicle starts to leave its lane unintentionally.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 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 Rollover19.1%

IIHS Rating

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

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Acceptable
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Marginal
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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