2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Review

Name: 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Brand: Mitsubishi

Price Range: $10,950 - $20,990

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 BE 4dr SUV Exterior

Below Average

6.1

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2021 Outlander Sport is not for those who want the latest technology or for those whose passion is driving. Instead, it's for getting passengers and cargo from point A to point B. Its climate and radio controls are easy to use, and having selectable all-wheel drive helps those who live in less temperate climates.

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Average price: $16,192

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Mitsubishi Outlander Sport model years

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport for Sale

Pros

Well equipped for the price
Excellent warranty coverage

Cons

The ride is rough over bumpy roads
Many interior materials look and feel cheap
Transmission is aggravatingly slow to respond
Raucous drone while accelerating, especially with 2.0-liter engine

What's new

Newly standard features, including forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning
LE trim level replaces the SP trim
Black Edition model no longer available
Part of the first Outlander Sport generation introduced in 2011

Overview

Written by automotive expert Mark Takahashi

1/5/2021

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you're interested in the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. To that, we ask, "Why?" The Outlander Sport might seem like a bargain compared to other SUVs in its class, and its powertrain warranty rivals those from Hyundai and Kia. However, this is one of those cases where the adage "you get what you pay for" rings true.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

24 listings

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2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
2.0 SE 4dr SUV
$11,950
good price
$2,021 below market
- 90,193 miles
- 5 Seats, 24 City / 30 Hwy MPG
- 24 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
Close
Located in Arlington, VA
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE Sport Utility 4D - A Prudent Choice for Discerning DriversThe 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE Sport Utility 4D p...
Features and Specs:
27 Combined MPG (24 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
JA4APVAU9MU012171
Stock:
012171
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
New Listing
2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
2.0 SE 4dr SUV
$10,950
good price
$1,392 below market
- 113,779 miles
- 5 Seats, 23 City / 29 Hwy MPG
- 24 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Arlington, VA
Distinguished 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE Sport Utility 4DPresenting the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE Sport Utility 4D, an exemplary SUV ...
Features and Specs:
26 Combined MPG (23 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
JA4ARUAU9MU012076
Stock:
012076
Certified Pre-Owned:
No

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In the decade since the Outlander Sport was introduced, other small SUVs in this class have made significant improvements through redesigns and refreshes, but this Mitsubishi seems mired in the past. In nearly every metric we use to evaluate vehicles, the Outlander Sport is handily outpaced by newer and better alternatives. To be blunt, Mitsubishi could do better and so can you.

We encourage you to check out not only the top SUVs in the class — including the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Rogue — but also less illustrious picks from Hyundai, Jeep and Subaru before settling on the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Below Average

6.1

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

5/10

How does the Outlander Sport drive? The "Sport" in Outlander Sport is a misnomer. The engine is underpowered, the continuously variable automatic transmission performs poorly, and handling and suspension tuning are unrefined. It's a pretty dreary vehicle to drive. Acceleration is jumpy from a stop but settles into a 8.5-second crawl to 60 mph. Under heavy braking, we noted both extreme nosedive and side-to-side wiggle, neither of which instills confidence.

There's very little on-center steering feel, so you must constantly tend to the Outlander Sport's steering, and inputs are met with a delayed reaction from the SUV. Stiff shocks make the Outlander Sport skittish, especially around bumpy corners, yet do nothing to tame the large amounts of body roll.

Comfort

5/10

How comfortable is the Outlander Sport? The Outlander Sport lacks the ride comfort and suspension compliance of its competition. For a vehicle that has been on the market for as long as this Mitsu has, there's really no excuse for this. It's OK for around-town use, but long-distance drivers should look elsewhere.

The ride is particularly egregious: harsh over bumps yet floaty over smoother undulations, giving you the worst of both worlds. The leather-upholstered seats in our test vehicle were hard and inflexible, and the cabin was noisy from traffic, road surfaces and the loud climate control fans.

Interior

6/10

How’s the interior? If you're the right size, the Outlander Sport's ergonomics are appealing. This SUV is easy to operate, with clearly marked controls and an easy-to-read instrument panel. The large door openings allow easy access to the front seats. Rear passengers will have to duck a bit to maneuver into the seats. Overall, interior space is lacking, with less rear headroom than some competitors and an interior that feels tight from every seat.

Compounding the lack of roominess, the driver's seating position is not particularly adjustable, forcing you into a sit-up-at-the-dinner-table posture. Visibility is also lacking, with large roof pillars and a small rear window that limits your view out of the back.

Technology

6.5/10

How’s the tech? Don't come here if you're looking to get your connectivity or mobile technology fix. What the Outlander Sport provides is basic connectivity. One upshot of the simple infotainment system is that it's very easy to learn to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren't standard on the base model, but the standard Bluetooth connectivity is simple to set up.

Basic active safety features such as automatic emergency braking are not standard and only appear on the midrange SE trim or higher. There's no adaptive cruise control at any trim level.

Storage

6.5/10

How’s the storage? The Outlander Sport doesn't excel in any area but works acceptably for cargo duty. The 60/40-split rear bench seat can be folded without removing the headrests or sliding the seats forward, but the release button is difficult to access from the cargo area. Once folded, the load floor is flat and expansive, and the tall roofline makes loading easy.

There's an average amount of small-item storage inside the Outlander Sport. The door pockets are large and can accommodate 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. Car seats can be accommodated in the two outboard rear seating positions thanks to easily accessible lower hooks, while the upper hooks can only be accessed from the cargo area.

Fuel Economy

6/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Outlander Sport GT is rated to get 25 mpg in combined driving (23 city/28 highway). We saw an average of 22.7 mpg over the course of three fill-ups while driving on city, highway and mountain roads. While on the low side, this type of result is expected for an underpowered vehicle.

Value

8/10

Is the Outlander Sport a good value? For those who value cost above all else, the Outlander Sport offers the basics as a compact SUV. We could easily recommend any number of other models, but they would all cost more. Our test vehicle came in a few thousand dollars under direct competitors. But you may be willing to spend more to get better performance, additional connectivity features and safety assists that are simply not available on the Outlander Sport.

The Outlander Sport's design is dated, but it feels sturdily assembled even if the quality of materials is subpar. On the plus side, Mitsubishi offers a very strong warranty and a roadside assistance program similar to those found on premium vehicles. That peace of mind certainly adds to the Outlander Sport's value proposition.

Wildcard

6/10

A jack-of-all-trades but a master of none, the Outlander Sport is purely a machine for transportation. Any sort of fun or enjoyment will come from the overactive imagination of the driver. As an easily approachable, no-nonsense car, the Outlander Sport appeals to those who prioritize a low price above any kind of driving satisfaction. It's not the most charismatic car you'll meet on the road, but thanks to its warranty and roadside assistance, it is dependable.

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport trim level differences

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a small SUV available in four trim levels: ES, LE, SE and GT. All but the GT model are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (148 horsepower, 145 lb-ft of torque) that is mated to a continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. The GT receives a more powerful 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (168 hp, 167 lb-ft) that powers all four wheels. Compare the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport trim levels in-depth.

Which Outlander Sport trim does Edmunds recommend?

It's pretty rare that we'd recommend a top-of-the-line trim in a lineup, but considering that the Outlander Sport GT only costs $4,000 more than the base ES model and comes with a more powerful engine and all-wheel drive, it's a no-brainer. This is especially true when you consider that even this model is underpowered for the class, making the supporting models dreadfully slow.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$178/mo

$204/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

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See Edmunds pricing data

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Reliability

The 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, ranks it #19 out of 29 among Compact SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating 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

$541/yr

vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Frequency

0.72x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV

Severity

17.3%

vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV

Recalls

1 recall found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 22V563000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SR-22-004
Number of vehicles affected:: 76508
Defect Description:: Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Outlander Sport vehicles equipped with continuously variable transmissions and mechanical key ignition systems. A software error in the transmission control unit (CVT-ECU) may incorrectly reduce the transmission gear ratio at high speeds, which can result in an engine stall.
Defect Consequence:: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the CVT-ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2022. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-22-004.

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 7 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

33 reviews

5(64%)

4(15%)

3(12%)

2(3%)

1(6%)

See all 33 reviews of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

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Very Happy Customer!

Glenn Whitney, 01/31/2021

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

This is a great little SUV that's very stylish and the ride is as smooth as any other SUV I've driven! I have the 2021 Outlander SE and everyone who has seen this brilliant red beauty loves the looks of it! I'm not sure why the so-called experts don't approve, but if you ask those who own one what they think the overwhelming majority will tell you that they are very pleased with the …

It even has a spare tire!

Zac Minneapolis, 11/24/2020

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 BE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

After an exhaustive search, I selected a 2020 Outlander Sport Black Edition 2.0 as the best vehicle to meet my needs. My search was guided by these non-negotiables: A spare tire A premium stereo with a subwoofer Minimal or no center console Comfortable driver seat No sharp edges on driver’s door or center console One might think these features are easy to find but they are most … definitely not! I am replacing a 2015 Honda FIt EX which I discovered has the most god-awful uncomfortable driver seat on the planet. The seat is numbingly cruel on long drives. Additionally, the hard plastic edges on the console and driver’s interior door panel conspire to create discomfort. It’s basically an iron maiden on wheels. Swearing off Hondas, my research for all my non-negotiables was frustrated. The Toyota RAV4 came closest, but the premium JBL stereo was repeatedly slagged by users as cheap and underpowered. I was inspired to check out Mitsubishi because my spouse’s 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse is reliable and has an impressive Rockford Fosgate stereo. I discovered the full size Outlander had a very modest center console and enough space for my legs. Unfortunately, the newer models forgo a spare tire; a deal breaker. Moving down to the Outlander Sport, I found everything on my list in the Black Edition 2.0. I decided to purchase a 2020 since it appears the 2021 model year will no longer offer the Rockford Fosgate stereo in any trim level. Count me among the other consumer reviewers who are baffled at the hate grenades lobbed into Mitsubishi’s foxhole. The Edmunds reviewer throws about bludgeoning descriptors such as underpowered, unrefined, aggravating, rough, cheap, jumpy, skittish, harsh, floaty, noisy, lacking, and subpar. The reviewer intimates that if you somehow still decide to purchase the Outlander Sport after this over-the-top beatdown you cannot possibly have fun driving it unless you have an overactive imagination and your discernment for driving is overruled by your pricing requirements. The reviewer’s assessment is loaded with unwarranted hyperbole. Speaking as one who finds many cars over-engineered, I find the Outlander Sport to be refreshingly intuitive and reliable. I do concur with the Edumunds reviewer on the following: The Outlander Sport offers the basics as a compact SUV: Well-equipped for the price Excellent warranty coverage Appealing ergonomics Easy to operate, with clearly marked controls and an easy-to-read instrument panel Large door openings to the front seats Easy to learn connectivity that is simple to set up Acceptable cargo utility, the load floor is flat and expansive, and the tall roofline makes loading easy Dated but sturdy No-nonsense Dependable If you discern these latter descriptors sound like what you would imagine a great SUV to be, do yourself a favor and check out the Outlander Sport. You can use the money you’ll save purchasing the Outlander Sport doing something fun other than driving. 1st year update: 21,000 miles. Best miles per gallon: 29. All good with the glaring exception of the failure of the multi-functional display. I lost about 50% of the pixels at 18,000 miles. Dealership removed and replaced it and I've had no other issues. 2nd year update: 36,000 miles. I've noticed the multi-functional display can be hard to read during the day. The catalytic converter was sawed off while parked overnight at a Holiday Inn Express in Chicago. $4,000 dollars to fix and much time wasted. I found out a Mitsubishi dealer can weld a shield over the converter to prevent theft. I recommend you have one installed before you drive off the lot. I still recommend the car

Awesome quality and value. Still going strong.

Dave in South Carolina, 06/29/2019

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 LE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Our fifth Mitsubishi in six years. Over 200k miles of perfect, worry free driving. Fantastic quality rivals any other brand. Can't beat the value either. Performance and handling are good. Fit and finish excellent. Yes, there are other brands that feature higher performance, but be ready to pony up another $6-$8k above a Mitsubishi.....I recommend Mitsubishi to anyone who will lend an …

Awesome Affordable SUV

inuvik, 12/13/2019

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 ES 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

I own the rarest of the Outlander Sports- a 2019 5 speed manual transmission. 2019 was the last year for the manual transmission and if I was ever going to get one it was now or never. Hands down the best decision I ever made. The Outlander Sport with a manual transmission is an absolute joy to drive. Plenty of power and loves to rev. I can understand why with the CVT it’s far less … satisfying. The 2.0 Mitsubishi 4B11 is a “square” engine. The bore and stroke are identical. This means not much low rpm torque (which CVT’s always try to keep the lowest rpm’s possible). But with the 5 speed it’s a absolute hoot to drive. This engine transmission combination is simply the Lancer’s engine and transmission dropped into the Outlander Sport. Driving it like a sport sedan will bring a smile to your face. Once you hit 3500 rpm MIVEC kicks in and it just jumps from 3500-5000 rpm in a heart beat. Since it s FWD only torque steer is a issue which makes it even more fun because it feels raw and at times a handful. With the traction control off you cannot be reckless with the throttle because it will get out of hand quickly. I’ve owned it about 6 months now and am approaching 10000 miles of trouble free driving. My mileage has been excellent averaging over 30mpg with my best tank of almost 36mpg. Is a manual transmission for everyone? Of course not, it seems these days that in the race to automate everything all the joy has been removed from driving. This my friends restored the fun in driving for me. It is the base model (only version available with the 5 speed). What do you get with that? Comfortable cloth seats with good support. Manual seat height adjustment (driver’s side only) which I prefer to powered seats because less to fail further down the road. Cruise control, backup camera, AC, tilt & telescoping steering wheel. The base stereo is a decent unit with Bluetooth which I use to stream from apps on my phone. Of course being the base model it doesn’t have all the über fancy options but that’s just fine by me. If you like soulless driving get a CVT anything. If you actually enjoy driving and want to row your own gears and need/want a compact SUV then the 5 speed Outlander Sport should be on your very short list. Oh and a final note, what was the cost of admission to fun driving for a brand new 2019 5 speed Outlander Sport? $15,749.00 out the door. That’s not a typo. Update #2: 6/13/22 It's been 3 years and 47k+ miles of problem free ownership. I'm still on the OEM tires but they are due for replacement. Absolutely zero mechanical or any issues at all. MPG's have been stellar over 30 mpg average for the entire life of the vehicle. I still love driving this vehicle and recently took it on a 2000 mile road trip driving straight through 30+ hours without a hiccup. Best vehicle I've ever owned. Update #3: I'm now over 50k miles with no issues. I'm just about ready to replace my OEM Nexen tires that came with it. I could have easily gotten another 10k out of them if I would have rotated them but meh. No mechanical issues whatsoever, it runs brilliantly and delivers excellent mpg's. Hands down continues to be the best vehicle I've ever owned. Update #4: 12/14/23. Just turned over 60k miles with zero mechanical issues so far. It's a joy to drive with the 5 speed manual and I just love driving it. My lifetime mpg's are right at 30 mpg. I absolutely love this SUV and have no plans to ever part with it. Update #5: Another year of flawless ownership with no issues. Almost 70k miles on the odometer now and no issues whatsoever. I changed the transmission fluid in the last year and it looked excellent with no metallic residue. That's the great thing about manual transmissions, just drain and fill. Clutch actuation remains excellent. Best running vehicle I've ever owned.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, so we've included reviews for other years of the Outlander Sport since its last redesign.

2021 Outlander Sport Features & Specs

Trim:

2.0 S

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$20,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$178/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: Warns the driver when it detects an imminent collision ahead and can automatically apply the brakes.
Auto High-Beam Headlights: Automatically switches between low 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
Not Tested
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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