Introduction
The Mitsubishi Outlander is never out of sight and out of mind when it comes to families on the look-out for a spacious ride on a relatively affordable budget. While the seven-seater market may have shrunk in recent years, Mitsubishi has stuck by its Outlander that has undergone two facelifts. The most recent took place in 2019, with the next slated to happen in mid-2020. While the changes this time round are less significant, it still represents everything an Outlander stands for. With the suaveness of a crossover, versatility of a seven-seater, front-wheel driving efficiency and the dependability of a Japanese brand, all fitted into the price range of an Asian brand.
Mitsubishi Outlander Exterior
Remember how they always tell you “Don’t judge a book by its cover?” You can, however, roughly judge a car by its exterior and in the case of the latest Outlander what stands out at first glance is Mitsubishi’s new Dynamic Shield design; a twin-blade grille with honeycomb plastic insets top and bottom, sitting between two DRL-equipped headlights on top of a redesigned lower front fascia. 18-inch alloys complement the Outlander’s latest look by adding that element of charisma and coherence.
Mitsubishi Outlander Interior
Much like a handsome gentleman that looks out for others, the Mitsubishi Outlander takes care of its occupants with a spacious interior that provides ample headroom and leg space. It even lends its assistance through electrically adjustable front seats and an electric parking brake. Middle-row passengers are served by twin air-con vents and supported by well-padded seats, while the third row is ideal for the younger ones. With all of the seats aside, a generous 591 litres of boot space is available at your disposal.
Refusing to scrimp on the minor details, the Outlander comes with seven airbags, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control, a rear-view camera and a Kenwood head unit that is compatible with Apple CarPlay/Android. A $6,000 upgrade gets you factory-fitted leather upholstery, electric front seats and an electric tailgate that assists with the loading and unloading of cargo.
Mitsubishi Outlander Performance
Don’t expect a bad boy that flouts traffic rules when it comes to the Outlander. With a 2 litre 4-pot that churns out 150hp and 190Nm of torque, the engine is merged to a new INVECS-III continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is engineered for fuel efficiency. What it lacks in terms of excitement it makes up for with functionality.
Highway drives are cool and collected thanks to the quiet cabin and smooth ride. Like most crossovers of today, the car does not venture off the tarmac. Instead, you get wheelspin if you throttle up when the steering is not totally straight. The Outlander’s unhurried nature is why it remains the preferred choice for Singaporean families.
Mitsubishi Outlander Safety
To ensure your safety, Mitsubishi has fitted its Outlander with several standard safety features such as front, side, overhead and knee airbags, LED tail lamps, traction control and a tire-pressure monitor. Anti-lock brakes automatically detect when a tire has stopped rotating under extreme braking and modulates the brake pressure to allow the tire to rotate. This increases the car’s ability to turn while braking. When handling limits have been exceeded and the driver risks losing control, stability control automatically kicks in: reducing engine power and/or applies select brakes.
Summary
There is nothing outlandish about the latest Outlander as Mitsubishi has stuck by its guns. After all, you don’t fix what is not broken. The latest facelift to the model and the shrinking of the MPV market means that it is the undisputed choice when it comes to the price-to-space ratio in its category. If you’re looking for a handsome ride that offers space and functionality on a budget, you can’t go wrong with the Mitsubishi Outlander. If you’re willing to wait, however, the newest Outlander will arrive mid-2020, with an upgraded, integrated head unit, plus more.
Verdict
| What we like |
|---|
| - Large size SUV that looks solid and masculine - Able to fit in 7 passengers - 5 star Euro NCAP rating - Low entry price for a 7-seater SUV |
| What we do not like |
|---|
| - Slightly sluggish pickup - Comes with only basic features - Slight awkwardness in getting into 3rd row |
| Editor’s recommendation |
|---|
| Buy this car if you want an adventurous and sporty looking SUV that comes with the space and functionality of a 7-seater at a low cost. |
Mitsubishi Outlander Specifications
Engine | 1,998cc,inline 4 |
Power | 150bhp at 6000rpm |
Torque | 190Nm at 4200rpm |
Gearbox | CVT |
0-100km/h | 12.1 seconds |
Top Speed | 180km/h |
Efficiency | 7.1L/100km |
VES/CO2 | 164g/km |
