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Evolution is certainly a word often associated with the Mitsubishi brand. In this case, however, we're not talking about a turbocharged sport sedan. Instead, evolution refers to the redesigned third-generation 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander, a crossover SUV that has definitely evolved.
As with any redesign, however, the real question is whether the Outlander has evolved enough. We're talking about a hot segment here and being just good enough doesn't really cut it. Throw in the fact that this has been one of Mitsubishi's best-selling vehicles lately and this redesigned SUV is all the more important to the brand.
New Inside and Out
The most obvious change is the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander's exterior styling. It's a more conventional take on the crossover SUV, with rounded corners and large unadorned expanses of sheet metal. All of this was done in the name of improved aerodynamics, according to Brian Arnett, Mitsubishi's product strategy senior manager. The result is a 7 percent lower drag coefficient (from 0.36 to 0.33), which should help in the mileage department. Unfortunately, it also makes this Outlander a little bland. One of the defining characteristics of the previous-generation Outlander was its aggressive Evo-like styling. Now, it's looking a bit generic.
The 2014 Outlander's interior, on the other hand, is an undisputed improvement. A contemporary design, paired with more refined materials, brings the new model up to modern standards. Third-row seats are now standard for all trims and they're much better than the predecessor's rickety perches. That rearmost row is still very cramped, but Mitsubishi contends that these seats are meant for occasional use, and for children only.
The middle-row seats now slide and recline, and that allows for an additional 13 inches of maximum cargo length, but total capacity drops from a spacious 73 cubic feet to a merely average 63 cubes. The split tail/liftgate is replaced by a one-piece liftgate with a power option. Roof rails are also absent, though mounting points are present for aftermarket solutions.
Under the Hood and on the Road
Both existing engines are retained, so the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander is available with either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 3.0-liter V6 engine. Power output is about the same as before, with the four-cylinder generating 166 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque while the V6 delivers 224 hp and 214 lb-ft. The V6 is paired with a traditional six-speed automatic with shift paddles, while the base engine comes only with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and no paddles.
We found the base engine and CVT appropriate for city driving, but inadequate on the highway. Reaching freeway speeds required prolonged use of wide-open throttle, which is accompanied by a bovine drone from under the hood. The V6 is the obvious choice for highway duty, though its power delivery wasn't all that impressive either.
On the plus side, the new Outlander does promise greatly improved fuel economy. Mitsubishi claims a combined city/highway rating of 27 mpg for the front-wheel-drive four-cylinder and 23 mpg for the all-wheel-drive V6 (up from 22 mpg and 21 mpg, respectively): best-in-class for seven-passenger SUVs.
These gains are achieved via revised gear ratios and engine tweaks, along with new Eco driving modes. With the Eco modes engaged, throttle inputs are damped to Prius-like unresponsiveness and the air-conditioning is dialed back. For models equipped with the Super-All-Wheel Control (S-AWC ) all-wheel-drive system, the Eco mode forces front-drive-only operation until wheel sensors detect a loss in traction, at which point power is sent to the rear wheels.
Drivetrain-wise, the big news is still to come. A plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) model will hit showrooms in 2014. According to Masatoshi Hasegawa, corporate planning and EV Operations executive vice president, the Outlander was designed from the beginning for either a conventional gas engine or a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, which means cargo and interior space remain relatively identical for both. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine will be paired with an array of batteries for a promised 30 miles of electric-only range.
Behind the Wheel
From the driver seat, the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander manages its size well. On twisting roads the Outlander's handling proved capable as the S-AWC all-wheel-drive system, sourced from the 2013 Lancer Evolution, maximizes available grip. Even so, the lumbering crossover's tall ride height and threat of lurking understeer keeps the Outlander well outside the fun zone.
The new electric power steering offers respectable feedback. Ride quality is well controlled, too, as the Outlander's chassis does an adequate job of flattening out the ruts and bumps in the road. Were it not for the flat, firm seats and noticeable wind and road noise, we'd be fine logging hundreds of miles in a day. These flaws are less critical during daily commuting, allowing other improvements to shine. A new, sharper infotainment display and pleasantly powerful Rockford Fosgate audio system won't hurt, either.
Though owners will rarely need to traverse the wilderness, the Outlander is surprisingly adept at navigating rutted and rocky trails. In V6 GT form, it is limited mostly by its 8 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.
Unrivaled Safety
Though the aforementioned changes may not win you over, safety advances to the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander might. Debuting this year is adaptive cruise control, paired with a Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) system.
These options are not offered by any of the Outlander's rivals and should be particularly significant for safety-minded shoppers. The FCM uses the same radar monitor as the cruise control to sense impending collisions. Within 2 seconds of sensing a potential collision, visual and audible alarms are triggered. Then, if the driver fails to react, the system begins applying light brake pressure followed by full panic braking to bring the SUV to a halt.
We tested the FCM against a simulated stationary vehicle at 20 mph and it worked as advertised, though Mitsubishi did warn that it would not stop in time at higher speeds. If steering inputs are detected, the system disengages, giving full control back to the driver. If the driver feels the FCM is too intrusive, its sensitivity is adjustable or it can be completely disabled. Somewhat less unique in the segment is a standard driver-knee airbag and an available lane departure warning system, though we found the LDW far too sensitive and annoying.
A Much Improved Crossover
Standing out in the compact crossover segment isn't easy. In the Outlander's case, the fact that it offers standard seating for seven, unique safety features and eventually a plug-in hybrid variant, should help it overcome its lack of name recognition.
The more mainstream styling should also do it some favors as well. We're not fans of it, but compact SUVs sell on utility, not style. Efficiency is also key and this Outlander should deliver in that area, too. Turns out, evolution isn't such a bad thing for the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
Used 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2014 Mitsubishi Outlanders for sale near Ashburn VA. There are currently 122 used and CPO 2014 Outlanders listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 9,981 and mileage as low as 8,624. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 300 on a used or CPO 2014 Outlander available from one of 2,630 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander ?
Save up to $300 on one of 18 used 2014 Mitsubishi Outlanders for sale at dealerships within 25 miles of Ashburn, Virginia with prices as low as $9981 as of Apr 26, 2018, based on data from 16 dealers and 40 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander trim styles:
The used 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander GT is priced around $17730 with average odometer reading of 41955 miles.
The used 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander ES is priced around $11986 with average odometer reading of 49440 miles.
The used 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander SE is priced around $16268 with average odometer reading of 62557 miles.
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What options are available on the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Available Mitsubishi Outlander 2014 Submodel Types: SUV
Available Mitsubishi Outlander 2014 Trims: LE, SEL, SE, XLS, ES, GT, LS
Exterior Colors: Labrador Black Metallic, Quartz Brown Metallic, Alloy Silver Metallic, Cosmic Blue Metallic, Rally Red Metallic, Rally Red, Diamond White, Labrador Black, Mercury Gray, Cool Silver, Cosmic Blue, Labrador Black Pearl, Cool Silver Metallic, Diamond White Pearl, Labrador Black Mica, Cool Silver Metallic, Graphite Gray Pearl, Copper Metallic, Quartz Brown, Aqua Metallic, Copper, Cosmic Blue Mica, Deep Blue Metallic, Desert Sand Metallic, Mercury Gray Metallic, Pacific Blue
Interior Colors: Beige cloth, Black leatherette/cloth, Black leather, Beige leather, Black cloth, Black leather/cloth, Black premium cloth, Beige leatherette/cloth
Popular Features: Keyless Entry/Start, Aux Audio Inputs, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Blind Spot Monitoring, Towing Hitch, Alarm, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Auto Climate Control, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Stability Control, Third-row seating, Tire Pressure Warning, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Back-up camera, Heated seats, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Trip Computer, 360-degree camera, Leather Seats, Power Driver Seat, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Sunroof/Moonroof, Upgraded Stereo, AWD/4WD, Navigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Remote Start, Lane Departure Warning, Pre-collision safety system, 3500lb Towing Capacity, Parking sensors, Upgraded Headlights, Rear Entertainment System
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 6 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: premium unleaded (recommended), regular unleaded, premium unleaded (required)
Drivetrains: all wheel drive, front wheel drive
Used 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Overview
The used 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander is offered in the following submodels: SUV. Available styles include SE 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl CVT), SE 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl CVT), and GT 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A). Pre-owned Outlander models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2014 Outlander comes with front wheel drive or all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: continuously variable-speed automatic, 6-speed shiftable automatic.
