Mitsubishi Outlander 2009 Review

Mitsubishi Outlander MY10 range

What we liked
>> Contemporary looks
>> Engine/gearbox interface
>> Interior refinement

Not so much
>> Smallish cargo space
>> Austere interiors
>> Lack of manual gearboxes

Overall rating: 4.0/5.0
Engine and Drivetrain: 4.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 4.0/5.0
Safety: 4.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.0/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0

About our ratings

OVERVIEW
You don't see too many Outlanders off or on the road... Perhaps because they look more like a Lancer station wagon and not enough like a RAV4 or X-TRAIL to be taken as seriously as a 'real' softroader. But in real terms, the Mitsubishi is easily the match of the Toyota and Nissan. Indeed, it ranks with Subaru's Forester as one of the more polished small SUV packages available today.

For the 2010 model year, Mitsubishi has tweaked the exterior and interior styling, but hasn't made any huge mechanical changes -- they will come a year or more down the track, when a diesel model is slated to appear.

Alas, for Mitsubishi, the result is the latest Outlander will likely continue as one of Australian motoring's unexploited gems.

The 2.4-litre-engined Outlander comes in three trim levels: the LS five-speed manual or CVT priced at $33,240 and $35,740 respectively; and the CVT-only $40,490 XLS and the $47,990 XLS Luxury. Curiously, a third row, comprising one-touch roll-up seating, is a $1950 option on the auto version of the most basic LS version only taking it to $37,690. This package also includes side and curtain airbags. Side and curtain airbags can be added to the five-seat models for $850.

The six-speed auto-only 3.0-litre V6 is available in two spec levels only: the $40,990 VR; and the $51,990 VRX.

Metallic or pearlescent paint is a $450 extra-cost option on all models.

Fitted to the two V6 models, Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) is Mitsubishi's vision of the logical extreme of passenger vehicle all-wheel drive. Using a first-in-class active front limited-slip differential and an electric four-wheel drive coupling, S-AWC can prevent wheel slip between front to rear and side-to-side to give traction all the time and on all types of surface -- including ice, snow and rain-slicked dirt roads.

Four-cylinder models get a less-elaborate electrically-controlled all-wheel-drive system.

Mitsubishi markets S-AWC and the AWC system fitted to the four-cylinder Outlanders, alone with features such as hill start control, stability and traction control under the MATT (Mitsubishi All Terrain Technology) banner. All Outlanders get antilock brakes with brake-force distribution and brake assist.

The basic LS model rolls on four 16-inch alloys -- all other models get 18-inch alloys and 225/55 radials. Space saver spares all-round...

Inside, there are new fabrics on the furniture and facings, textured cow-hide in the top-line VRX and a new instrument binnacle, aluminium sports pedals and a new-look steering wheel.

There's also a focus on ICE (in-car entertainment); the sound system in all the models is AM/FM/CD/MP3 enabled and all have steering wheel audio controls on their leather-clad wheels. Each increase in specification-level sees the quality of the sound stage rise and in the XLS and VRX models, there's a roof-mounted DVD player for the back seat. Note the system comes with only one set of infra-red wireless headphones; in the interests of world peace, Outlander owners who are multiple parents may need to buy another set.

Both models also get auto-on headlamps with washers, rain-sensing wipers and a tilt/slide sunroof.

Bluetooth phone connectivity is available across the range, but factory-fitted in XLS and VRX models.

The touch-screen sat-nav inclusive Mitsubishi Multi Communication System (MMCS) is fitted to the VRX as standard and is part of an option package on the XLS Luxury. It isn't available as an option in other models.

MMCS comes with a reversing camera, replaces the six-CD in-dash stacker, and navigation voice recognition replaces Bluetooth voice recognition.

The XLS, XLS Luxury and VRX also get reverse-parking sensors and HID headlamps.

MECHANICAL AND PACKAGING
The Outlander largely carries over its mechanicals from 2009 to 2010 model.

The existing 2.4-litre twin-cam 16-valve engine punches out 125kW at a busy 6000rpm and 226Nm at 4100rpm. This engine is matched to a five-speed manual gearbox, with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with sequential style paddle shifters as an option in the basic model only. All other Outlanders are CVTs or automatics.

The 3.0-litre SOHC V6 engine makes 169kW at 6250rpm and 291Nm at 3750rpm and is matched to a six-speed auto gearbox with paddle shifters.

For the 2010 MY the all-alloy V6 gets improved intake flow and a revised camshaft and compression ratio, lifting output by 7kW and improving torque, fuel economy and emissions.

Braking and suspension components are unchanged from the previous model.

The new front end is derived from the current Lancer's 'Jet fighter' look and gets an EVO-style grille matched by a reshaped front bumper, mirrors, headlamps, wheel-arches and bonnet. A new rear bumper and side sills complete the exterior revamp.

The retouched interior features many different shades of black. This will see cabin temperatures soaring on summer days, and can make the cabin a depressingly dreary place to be.

Thanks to the high level of equipment and despite having an aluminium roof, the Outlander is fairly heavy: the base-line LS weighs 1545kg at the kerb and the top-drawer VRX is 1727kg.

Maximum braked towing capacity is 1500kg for four-cylinder models, 1600kg for the V6s, or 750kg unbraked. The fuel tank holds 60 litres.

SAFETY
Besides the across-the-board fully-enabled braking, skid and traction control systems, all Outlanders have cruise control and driver and front passenger dual-stage air-bags. Side and curtain airbags are standard in all but the basic LX model -- where they're available as an option.

Other features such as the auto-on headlamps, rain-sensing wipers and reverse parking sensors add to safe driving and manoeuvring with the reversing camera in the VRX and four-cylinder Luxury the biggest bonus. Until they become standard fitment on all vehicles, those manufacturers that do fit them are deserving of special praise and encouragement.

In European NCAP testing LHD Outlanders have been rated as five star vehicles.

COMPETITORS
The all-wheel drive Subaru Forester station wagon is roughly the same size, specification and shape as the Outlander, while the Nissan X-TRAIL, Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V fall into the same softroader genre but are larger and generally pricier.

The Mitsubishi tends to be one of the forgotten vehicles of this class. The company no doubt hopes the new look will help the car gain some visibility and in turn a better share of what is one of the strongest VFACTS segments.

One place Mitsubishi really gets the jump on most of its competition is with its class-leading warranty -- five-year/130,000km on the whole vehicle, 10-year/160,000km on the powertrain and five-year/unlimited kilometre roadside assistance response.

ON THE ROAD
Mitsubishi Motors Australia made a bold statement when it launched the new Outlander beside the latest iteration of its rugged Triton 4x4 ute in the unforgiving terrain around Lake Gairdner in South Australia.

Using the historic historic Mt Ive station as a base, both ranges of vehicles were sampled along dusty farm tracks, hard-packed dirt highways, rocky climbs and sandy descents. Admittedly some of the more extreme terrain was deemed beyond the abilities of the Outlander -- lacking a low-range transmission option as it does -- but that didn't mean the softroader failed to impress.

The Outlander ate up all that was thrown at it: choking red dust, rippled corrugations, shifting flinty rocks and power-sapping soft sand. Only playing on the steep sandy dunes and inching up a dry creek bed were declared above and beyond the normal call of duty.

The various skid, stability and traction control systems are subtle in operation offroad and on the dirt tracks to the point of near invisibility. This augurs well for 'normal' slippery road conditions and onroad usage in the alps and the like.

Indeed, Mitsubishi has done a really top-rate job of engineering a suite of electronic driver aids which don't get in the way of driving the car, but manage to expand grip and steering accuracy to levels which most folk will never get near to exceeding. Even Mt Ive's super-fine red dust which coated (and lubricated!) hard-packed red mud across the width of off-camber turns failed to get the Outlander deviating from the driver's chosen trajectory.

Dust sealing on doors and windows was excellent and the cars offered a high level of comfort and space in the front seats. It's less glowing in the rear -- three kids fit, but more than two adults will have to be thin, friends or both.

On the asphalt the story is much the same. We'd praise the well-damped but taut and compliant suspension, precise wheel placement and crisp brakes. That said steering is slightly lifeless and bland. There's also a bit tyre roar at speed than we'd like.

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