Review of 2022 model Mitsubishi Outlander reveals a confident and stylish product
Price was the primary appeal of the Mitsubishi Outlander previously but now style and hi-tech features are now firmly in the mix.
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Lock-downs and the seemingly never ending Covid crisis has Australians longing to step outside their comfort zone.
Recent Mitsubishi research found we’re primed to get on the move for a break and try something different.
Perhaps the Japanese brand undertook a similar audit of its own team ahead of development of the latest generation Outlander. Car companies regularly tout “all-new” with their releases, and this is one worthy of the title.
It’s a dramatic new look for the SUV which is better equipped to challenge a competitive market. Get-in pricing starts from about $40,000 for the front-wheel drive ES variant but it’s expected most buyers will gravitate higher in the range for greater luxury levels.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
KEL: Styling has undertaken a hefty step forward. This looks impressive inside with the diamond stitched leather trim, digital instruments for the driver and the chunky steering wheel feels nice in your hands.
GRANT: Vastly improved, our experience benefited from being in the seven-seat Exceed variant which is one rung down from the top shelf and is $51,490 drive-away.
KEL: Externally is a far better looking SUV. Depending on the angle I can see shades of Range Rover. It’s far more stylish.
GRANT: During the past decade Mitsubishi’s SUV range has created a value-packed niche. They essentially sold on price alone. Yet the new range changes the narrative and combines solid safety credentials, a good features list and attractive packaging.
THE LIVING SPACE
KEL: The cabin has common sense appeal. Good cup holders in the centre console and bottle holders in the door, nothing needed too much analysis in terms of the aircon or infotainment controls.
GRANT: Bare-bones Outlanders all come with the nine-inch touchscreen and smartphone mirroring, but the Exceed gains a 10-speaker Bose stereo, panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate control and that flashier leather trim (which also comes in grey at no cost).
KEL: Integrated sun shades in the back doors are also a nice touch. They are great when you have young children aboard.
GRANT: The complete feature list is impressive, including a 10.8-inch head-up display which projects various details like speed and satnav directions onto the windscreen, wireless phone charger, power tailgate and heated front seats.
KEL: Shifting the car into drive and reverse is interesting.
GRANT: Mitsubishi has adopted a return to centre function, you nudge it forward for reverse and backward for drive. While there are a range of modern inclusions, there are still some hangovers from the past in the infotainment system.
KEL: Some of the icons look old, although I guess most people nowadays will just use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
GRANT: The font choice lacks some polish from my eye.
THE COMMUTE
KEL: Everything feels solid and robust.
GRANT: It’s the most confident Mitsubishi we’ve driven in some time – partly courtesy of a platform sharing arrangement with Nissan. The next X-Trail will feature the same underpinnings. Under the bonnet is a familiar four-cylinder petrol engine.
KEL: Getting off the line it may not be a sports car, but I found the overall performance fit for purpose.
GRANT: Consistent and honest, the four-potter gets the job done without fanfare. Plant your foot and it can become flustered and battle to keep up with driver intentions, yet the ride is comfortable and settled in straight lines.
KEL: The radar cruise control was easy to use and I didn’t find the lane keeping function too intrusive – I like how the wheel vibrates if you get too close to the lines and doesn’t automatically jerk you back to the middle of the lane like some systems can.
GRANT: Road rumble is noticeable on the highway with the 20-inch rubber and nasty bumps can reverberate through the cabin.
THE SHOPPING
KEL: With the two extra seats folded under the boot there was ample room for our weekly grocery shop.
GRANT: With five seats in play there’s nearly 500 litres available and the middle row folds fast courtesy of levers in the boot. That’s among my musts for SUVs, it’s frustrating lugging large items to the back of the vehicle only to have to walk around and drop the seats.
KEL: Surviving the carpark is easier courtesy of the safety functions. Having the 360-view ensures you’re within the lines and the rear cross traffic alert is another set of eyes when reversing.
GRANT: For sure, if another vehicle is detected when pulling out of a park and the driver fails to act, the brakes are automatically applied.
THE SUNDAY RUN
KEL: Only when the terrain got hilly did things become challenging.
GRANT: It’s probably the primary weakness of the drivetrain combination, primarily due to the continuously variable transmission.
KEL: There is a steep climb near our place and it laboured. I really had to put my foot down to maintain steady momentum.
GRANT: Those chasing extra grunt would be well advised to wait for the plug-in hybrid version scheduled to arrive in the coming months. That variant boosts power by about 40%.
THE FAMILY
KEL: The kids had their own aircon zone control and vents in the back plus two USB points.
GRANT: Nothing for those in the third row, though. Middle row head, leg and knee room is fine, but seats six and seven are best restricted to occasional use.
KEL: What are the running costs like?
GRANT: Warranty coverage is five years or 100,000km, but if you maintain servicing with a Mitsubishi dealer that’s extended to 10 years or 200,000km. Service prices are capped for that period, with an average cost of $319 with annual or 15,000km intervals. Surprisingly we achieved better fuel consumption than the official figure, delivering less than eight litres for every 100km.
THE VERDICT
KEL: For a family chasing value and good looks, the new Outlander is a gem. Those who have a need to carry seven occasionally should put it on the consideration list.
GRANT: Peace of mind motoring comes via strong warranty and roadside assist coverage, while servicing is cheap. While not a leader dynamically it deserves kudos for a remarkably more confident on-road feel along with an impressive specification allocation.
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Originally published as Review of 2022 model Mitsubishi Outlander reveals a confident and stylish product
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