2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Review

Name: 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Review
Brand: Mitsubishi

Price Range: $11,990 - $21,998

Mitsubishi Outlander GT 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

Mitsubishi Outlander LE 4dr SUV Exterior

Mitsubishi Outlander GT 4dr SUV Exterior

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The Mitsubishi Outlander is merely adequate. It doesn't offer many reasons to buy it over any other small SUV. If you can up your budget a little bit, almost any midsize three-row SUV is better. On the other hand, if you don't need a third row, other small SUVs are more desirable. Simply put, you can do better than the Outlander.

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2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Generous list of standard features
Standard three-row seating
Good outward visibility

Cons

Slow, noisy acceleration with the base four-cylinder
Thirsty V6 is available only on the top-of-the-line GT
Third-row seat is small
Limited Mitsubishi dealer network

What's new

New 8-inch touchscreen for most trim levels
New USB ports for the rear seats
New midlevel SP (special edition) trim
Part of the third Outlander generation introduced for 2014

Overview

While the idea of having a third-row seat in a small SUV might sound appealing, the reality is that most of these models are heavily compromised. Case in point: the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. Its cramped third-row seat is unsuitable for all but small kids, and cargo space also suffers because that third row takes up space even when folded down.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander ES 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl CVT) 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 $3.05 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$140/mo

$179/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

That alone should be enough for shoppers to pick between small two-row SUVs or step up to a three-row midsize SUV. But the Outlander has other drawbacks. It's not enjoyable to drive, the seats can be downright uncomfortable, and there's a general feeling of cheapness throughout. Overall we think you'll be happier with a top two-row small SUV such as the Honda CR-V. Or check out the Kia Sorento or the Volkswagen Tiguan. They both offer third-row seats but have fewer drawbacks than the Outlander.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Below Average

6.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

6.5/10

How does the Outlander drive? The Outlander's acceleration is fine for typical driving situations. It's when you ask for extra that the Outlander falls flat. The standard four-cylinder engine is underpowered, making the Outlander feel slow even with just a driver on board. We're certain that most shoppers will find the top GT trim a much better choice if your budget allows. The V6 and conventional transmission are far superior.

The Outlander can handle a set of corners at moderate speed without much difficulty. But that's as good as it gets. It's certainly not fun to drive. The brakes require a hard squeeze to bring the Outlander to a stop, which makes it hard to always stop smoothly.

Comfort

6.5/10

How comfortable is the Outlander? The Outlander offers a smooth ride over most roads. The only exception is when you hit midcorner bumps; they send a big shock through the cabin, and it feels like you lose traction.

The first- and second-row seats are fairly uncomfortable, partially owing to the lack of available adjustments. Most SUVs in this class are good at keeping out outside noise and engine vibration, but not the Outlander. Even at idle, the engine vibrations can be felt through the seats. The engine is also noisy when accelerating.

Interior

6.5/10

How’s the interior? Getting into the Outlander can be tricky for adults due to the high-mounted seats and low steering wheel. Rear passengers also have to stoop down a bit to avoid thumping their head on the low roof. Once seated, adults in the second row will have to scoot the seat all the way back to avoid brushing the headliner. The third-row seats are acceptable for small children only, but that's common for this class.

The driver information display has a strange, one-button control scheme that isn't very intuitive. Other controls are within the driver's reach, though some of the driving aids are grouped unintuitively throughout the cabin. On the plus side, a low hoodline and beltline, along with narrow pillars and wide windows, make it easy to see forward and to the side.

Technology

7/10

How’s the tech? Every model but the base ES comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. You'll need them too since onboard nav is not offered. The Outlander's two USB ports aren't sufficient for a family road trip. We do like the optional Rockford Fosgate sound system for its punchy subwoofer and clarity.

Many driver aids are available, but only at the top trim levels. We like that the lane departure warning system isn't overly sensitive, but the adaptive cruise control system doesn't look far enough ahead at highway speeds. Approaching stopped traffic requires driver intervention.

Storage

7/10

How’s the storage? Like most small three-row SUVs, there's not much room with all the seats up. Because the third-row seatbacks are short, small suitcases standing up will be visible over the seatbacks. Other top-rated two-row small SUVs generally have more maximum cargo room. The Outlander's second and third rows fold completely flat at least.

Storage up front is limited to just two central cupholders and a small bin under the armrest. There are large front door pockets, with room for an upright water bottle.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Outlander with the four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive at 26 mpg combined (24 city/29 highway). Getting the V6 takes you down to 22 mpg. Both numbers are decent for this class of vehicle.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Outlander a good value? The quality of materials up front is pretty standard for the class, though the design isn't particularly attractive. Lots of little things contribute to an overall feeling of cheapness. The second-row seat bottoms fold up to allow for a flat second row, for instance, but are held in place by flimsy little arms. You have to line up the arms exactly to return the seat bottom to its original place.

The Outlander's base price is about average for the segment, though upper trims offer better value. Warranty coverage is very good.

Wildcard

5.5/10

The Outlander seems like the SUV you buy because you have no other three-row SUV options. The Outlander's exterior design helps it stand out from other SUVs, but otherwise there's not a lot going on here.

Which Outlander does Edmunds recommend?

The Outlander certainly has a price advantage in the class, but we suggest stepping up to the top-of-the-like GT trim. It's the only model that gets the V6 engine that is more powerful than the weak base engine and transmission combination. You also get all-wheel drive as standard, leather seats, LED headlights, a premium audio system and adaptive cruise control.

Compare 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander models

The 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander is a seven-passenger small SUV that is available in six trim levels: ES, SE, LE, SP, SEL and GT. Most trims come with front-wheel drive and offer all-wheel drive as an option. The GT is the exception and comes standard with all-wheel drive.

ES
Standard feature highlights include:

A 166-horsepower four-cylinder engine
A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Heated front seats
A 7-inch touchscreen

SE
The SE includes all of the ES' feature, plus a lot of convenience items that include:

Automatic headlights and high beams
Keyless entry and ignition
Power-adjustable front seats
An 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Forward collision detection with automatic braking
Lane departure warning

LE
The LE adds a several dark exterior and interior accents along with:

Roof rails
Power-folding mirrors
A sunroof
A blind-spot monitoring system

SP
The new SP trim has all of the LE's dark accents and features, plus:

Additional body elements to give it a sportier look

SEL
The SEL trim adds some luxury touches to the SE's equipment list with:

Chrome exterior accents
A power liftgate
Leather upholstery

GT
The top GT trim includes the SEL features as well as:

A 224-hp V6 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission
LED headlights
A heated steering wheel
A premium audio system
Adaptive cruise control

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#15 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 from 2008-2022.}

$466/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).}

1.04x/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).}

13%

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 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

50 reviews

5(60%)

4(14%)

3(4%)

2(6%)

1(16%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

1K Rental - Part 1

DavidM, 07/28/2019

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl CVT)

Part One First of all, I rented this for a Midwest swing of 5 states and I put just a bit under 1,000 miles on it. So while I'm not a long-term owner, I did put about 200 miles a day on this SUV and I think that I have a few things worth sharing on that basis. For my little family of three, this smaller SUV (specifically, it was the Mitsubishi Outlander SEL w/AWD) worked out great for … what we wanted it to do! The back seat was roomy enough that my six year old wasn’t constantly kicking the front passenger seat all of the time. Right away, this is a crowd pleaser. The SEL trim is covered in leather which I think is always a bonus when little kids could be spilling stuff in the back seat. We didn’t find this SUV to be particularly comfortable or unconformable – however my wife was pretty quiet about the whole 1,000 miles, so it couldn’t have been really terrible, either. The car did occasionally drone on freeway though, and we didn’t really care for that. However, when it did, we were going pretty fast; I had the cruise set at 85mph through large portions of South Dakota where the limit on I-29 is 80mph. The SUV really had no trouble at all maintaining speed once you got there, but as others have said, it’s not sports-car performance in any way. I had never driven a CVT-equipped vehicle this far, ever. Mixed emotions for me – the RPM’s would get right up there and the thing would start to pull itself up to speed. I never felt like it was unsafe, at all, it just required a fairly heavy right foot, which I was more than willing to provide. I wasn’t expecting a lot of speed out of the 2.4 inline four, and really at the end of the day, it was plenty for what I needed it to do. If you are used to something a whole lot faster, then this would get to be frustrating pretty quickly IMHO. The range on this SUV, at least on my road-trip was about 400 miles, probably a little more. I never got much below a quarter of a tank before I filled it up. MPG was about 27 for the entire trip. The automatic climate control in the car is worth mentioning. It worked very well, including the vents in the back seat for my daughter. My only gripe is that the vents cannot be turned on or off up-front using knobs or sliders. We didn’t like that. The ability to change their direction seemed to be limited as well. Minor issues, but things that we noticed. The SUV has heated seats, which we did not use as it was hot most of the time. This car did not have a sunroof, so I have nothing to say about that. Overall, on the road, the Mitsubishi was competent on the road and comfortable. I’d drive one of these again for 1,000 miles if I had to without (too) many complaints.

Our third Outlander

TomW, 11/24/2018

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander GT 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

As the title says the new 2019 GT we have is our 3rd Outlander. We can not see paying any more for one of the names that are ranked higher in the polls. I have owned Porsches and other high end cars in my life but feel the Outlander is as well put together as any car that I have owned. The warranty is the best in the industry and I have only had 4 recalls for all four cars for minor …

Love our Outlander SEL

michael williams, 11/12/2019

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl CVT)

Don't listen to [non-permissible content removed] writing the reviews. Just ask a owner like me. Ive owned many SUV and the Outlander drives better, handles better, awesome gas mileage, visibility is better, and price is better!. My last SUV was a Lexus before my wife talked me into the Outlander. It has all the gadgets that the Lexus had. Insurance is cheaper and the warranty rocks. The …

The Best Cheap Mid-Size SUV

John, 11/20/2018

2019 Mitsubishi Outlander GT 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl 6A)

I drove an Outlander in Africa through thick mud, deep sand, giant potholes, rocky roads and never got stuck. I travelled long distances through desolate areas and never broke down. Those experiences proved to me that this is a true off roader. I bought the newest model and its been improved even more. My GT is top of the line with all the high-end luxury options, but the price is half …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander, so we've included reviews for other years of the Outlander since its last redesign.

See all 50 reviews of the Mitsubishi Outlander

Write a vehicle review

2020 Outlander Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$24,895
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$140/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	10.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Outlander models:

Blind-Spot Monitoring: Alerts the driver of a car hidden in a blind spot (or an approaching one) to protect against a dangerous lane change.
360-Degree Camera: Creates a simulated bird's-eye view of the car for tight parking situations, allowing the driver to see the car from all angles.
Forward Collision Mitigation: Helps mitigate an accident by monitoring ahead, warning the driver of an impending collision, and applying the brakes in certain scenarios.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 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 Rollover18.5%

IIHS Rating

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

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
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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2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Review

Price & Payment

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2020 Mitsubishi OutlanderSEL 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2020 Mitsubishi OutlanderES 4dr SUV

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2020 Mitsubishi OutlanderSEL 4dr SUV

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2020 Mitsubishi Outlander Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander ES 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl CVT) 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 $3.05 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Outlander does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Mitsubishi Outlander models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Mitsubishi Outlander Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

1K Rental - Part 1

Our third Outlander

Love our Outlander SEL

The Best Cheap Mid-Size SUV

2020 Outlander Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander ES 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl CVT) 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 $3.05 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}