The Mitsubishi Outlander seen here is an important car for the Japanese marque. It represents a new era in the brand's evolution and, fan or not, whether of the brand or this particular product, the Outlander won't leave you unfazed or nonchalant. It's a departure from Mitsubishi's previous Outlanders in that it is a car void of most of the seemingly unmitigated criticisms of the past. It is Mitsubishi making a statement that it can rise to the ever-escalating bevvy of challengers in the mid-size SUV game.
For a start, its design is bold. The split headlight units are a talking point. The top strip houses the DRLs and indicator lamps, whilst the lower, odd bit holds the headlight beams. Like it or not, flanked by a bold, chromed-out grille, stylish 21" alloys on this Aspire model and some recessed pieces around the wheel arches, the Outlander is anything but boring. In fact, apart from the headlight idea, the whole car is approachable and harmoniously modern.
The interior takes that up a notch. If you're vaguely familiar with any Mitsubishi product, you will immediately be drawn in by the interior design. The diamond-quilted seats are strong cues for a cabin that is as approachable. The perceived build quality is even better than one might expect from a Mitsubishi, and that's saying something... Mitsubishi is not known for shoddy build quality. New elements within the dashboard architecture modernise the car, including a soft-grip multi-function steering wheel and a sizeable 12.3" driver's display complemented by a 9" touchscreen display. The overall user experience isn't complex, though the layout isn't as slick as others in the segment. The connectivity options are as expected, with smartphone mirroring for Apple/Android and the usual mix of Bluetooth and USB-A or C ports, plus 12-volt charging sockets in the front and rear of the cabin. It is a comfortable place to be and lives up to feeling ably engineered and equipped for the price.
The Outlander has a few other things in its arsenal too. It's a 7-seater offering two recessed seats in the rear. With the seats pulled up, there's not much 'boot space' beyond the ability to load some small shopping bags, but with the seats folded down, you'll discover some 770 litres of boot space, which is a big sell – segment-leading in fact. On the negative side of this equation are third-row seats that proved quite cramped and uncomfortable, even for my little people who have become quite versed in third-row accommodation. Even with the second row pushed all the way forward, which essentially eats into most of the second-row legroom, the rear-most row still is relatively small. Toddlers and average-sized 6-year-olds, at best, would be okay here.
The Outlander proved to be a wonderful surprise in terms of its powertrain and performance on the road. The biggest improvement is in on-road refinement, a subject in which almost every car in the segment scores well. The Mitsubishi Outlander was the exception in that it drives with compelling compliance doing all of the essential things well. Comfort levels are high, the driving position and outward visibility are excellent, and everything feels within easy reach. Venture off the highway of Gauteng onto some dusty gravel roads or even into the grasslands, as our test required, and the Outlander comes into its own. Gravel is its happy place, riding with the same poise and comfort on gravel and sand as the Subaru Outback. Mitsubishi's all-wheel-drive management system, Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC), uses torque and slip sensors and yaw sensors to actively distribute power and/or braking to specific wheels to ensure maximum traction at all times. With 210 mm of ground clearance, the Outlander certainly sits high in its segment when it comes to off-road and slippery conditions. The system also uses pre-configured driving programmes that are selectable via the toggle wheel below the drive shifter.
The Outlander engine is the 2.5-litre, naturally aspirated petrol version mated to a CVT transmission with paddle shifters behind the wheel for 8-stepped transmission speeds. It produces 135 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque. If that sounds familiar to yet another Japanese product, it's because the Nissan X-Trail shares the same engine and powertrain components… come to think of it, the new X-Trail drives similarly, too…
You could bemoan the use of this powerplant and even complain about plug-in hybrid and turbo engines from different markets, but in this application here in SA, the engine is sufficient for the purpose.
If you're looking for engine options, the Outlander isn't your pick, but I'd recommend driving it before deciding. Where the overall driving experience was lacking was in the fact that driving aids only included a cruise control system.
Even in the flagship specification, the Outlander lacks any Adaptive Cruise Control or lane-keeping assistance. This may be introduced later but could explain the competitive pricing.
I approached the Outlander with a sense of indifference, but it has undoubtedly outperformed my own and the team's expectations in many ways. It is a solid product to drive and experience as a passenger. It rides with near-consummate refinement, looks bold and modern and shouts practicality, unlike many other contenders. CVT and 2.5-litre NA aside, I still achieved an average of 8.2l/100 km, which is just slightly above the claimed figures from Mitsubishi. Safety credentials are also five-starred, so as a family SUV, the Outlander makes a compelling sell.
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