Mitsubishi Outlander VRX 2007 Review

Road Test

The latest Outlander is the car Mitsubishi should have built last time. Old-timer Outlander was a plastic-fantastic ersatz softroader -- a Lancer wagon on 'roids. But this time, Mitsubishi has a genuine midsized all-road vehicle, with a meaningful mix of offroad ability, performance, passenger and cargo space, and driver-aiding safety technology.

The top-drawer VRX model bristles with the kind of attention to detail that marks it as a 21st century vehicle. It's about convenience, lifestyle, comfort, security and enjoying the experience of driving.

For example, even remote central locking has been simplified by Mitsubishi who has joined a few other manufacturers in providing a proximity key -- an electronic tag that just needs to be within 70cm of either of the front doors or the tailgate to allow the vehicle to be opened, started and operated.

While this technology may be vulnerable to hackers, it does offer a simple benefit -- it eliminates the need to locate and squeeze a button if you've got hands full of stuff, it's raining or you're otherwise in a hurry. Once inside, the key isn't physically needed to start the car -- simply turn the fitting where a key would normally go, and as long as you have a blue key symbol on the dash, the car can be driven (if the key's a bit too far away, a red key symbol says so and denies access).

And for the inherently sceptical, the plastic block that is the 'key' does in fact contain a real metal key, which will perform the traditional functions in the event that the electrickery fails -- only likely in the event of a dud battery.

The VRX's all-black, all-leather cabin's a great place to be -- slightly sombre perhaps, but well-appointed, well-designed and comfortable with exemplary ergonomics.

High-tech driver aids include selectable two or four-wheel drive, a constantly-variable six-speed auto transmission with manual-shift paddles behind (but not attached to) the steering wheel, illuminated audio and cruise buttons on the wheel's spokes, reverse-parking sensors, cruise control and even auto-levelling high-intensity discharge headlamps -- complete with their own washing machines.

In addition, the VRX is bluetooth-enabled albeit with the microphone tucked distractingly in clear sight beside the windscreen. Buttons allow phone calls to be answered using the car's sound system speakers if desired.

Between the main gauges there's an information panel which looks much like those found on up-market Audis, offering different screens and even an ice warning when outside temperatures reach 3 degrees C.

For the record, the same screen s indicated the VRX got through fuel at the rate of 12.2lt/100km, although Mitsubishi suggest the figure should be 10.9. The fuel tank holds 60 litres.

While the dash also contains a premium sound system that swallows six CDs, plays MP3 files and has a radio that is uniquely unaffected when passing near high-tension power lines, that's not the full news on the VRX's in-car entertainment. Yep, hanging from the roof is a DVD player.

Sensibly out of sight of the steerer, the screen measures 225mm (or nine inches in the old money) and provides entertainment for rear-seat passengers. To ensure no distraction for the vehicle's commander, DVD sound is provided via infra-red cordless headphones. Mitsubishi provides a pair of sets -- but with the extra two dickie-seats in the luggage area, owners may need to find more. Happily, 'domestic' IR headsets seemed to work flawlessly.

As it is, the rear door pockets neatly hold the headphones that are provided, as well as a drink bottle. Indeed, the entire cabin offers a host of clever storage options including an in-dash beverage heater/cooler. Outlander is a quantum step above virtually all other carmakers -- even the stratospheric European offerings -- in this regard.

The very occasional rear-most kiddie-seats fold into the floor of the luggage area, but not even five-year olds will enjoy their third-class status for very long -- perhaps at least one rationale for the DVD player. They might get 'Happy Feet' but they won't be happy Vegemites if the trip's too long.

With the third row stowed, there's a fair luggage area, aided in no small part by the fitment of a spacer-saver spare wheel.

The second row of seats tilts and tumbles forward at the touch of a button, increasing cargo space significantly. In addition, the lower part of the two-piece rear tailgate drops to extend the floor outwards for easy loading, while the near-vertical rear window means that cargo space is maximised.

We could wax lyrical and at length about the many useful features bolted to the Outlander, but it is also very much a driver's car. From the extremely supportive, heated, electrically-adjusted leather drivers seat; to the switchable '2wd', '4wd' and '4Lock' drive options; to the fog-lamps which are quite properly cancelled when the headlights are turned off; the switchable ASC; the six crashbags or the trio of 12v power sockets; to the gutsy, solid performance from the V6 powerplant that is deceptively fast -- there's much to satisfy the driver.

Electronic aids include not just a stability control programme but also traction control, ABS brakes with Brakeforce distribution and emergency assistance and even a monocoque body structure design that's intended to enhance active, as well as the more usual passive safety. Details include an aluminium roof to cut high-mounted mass, and suspension designed to prevent the car getting into trouble in the first place.

The adaptive gearbox is imperceptible and intuitive, but if the driver prefers to row the cogs manually, the overly large silver paddles do the same job as in Fernando Alonso's McLaren. Well not quite, but you get the picture.

The three-litre V6 24-valve engine is, if anything, a mite too eager -- keeping a steady speed is well-nigh impossible on Victoria's over-policed and under-skilled roads, so the cruise control got a good workout. Throttle pedal spring pressure is overly light and sensitive, and speed picks up readily on downhills, so using then electronic conscience is a good idea.

Steering and handling are accurate on asphalt -- given the 18-inch wheels and 225/55 tyres you'd expect them to be. Progressively firming suspension soaks up most holes in the road and allows a decent pace to be sustained in the twisties, without excessive bodyroll. There's a bit of understeer, progressively insistent as angles tighten, but flicking on the 4WD seems to neutralise this a little -- not entirely but enough to make rapid progress nicely tight.

However, the downside is that the gravel-road handling is a little loose and skittish -- not dangerously so, just slightly disquietingly.

Arriving at a tighter-than-expected corner will wake up the ASC early and often, and if the driver's in anything of a hurry the computer will be more or less continuously employed on anything other than a straight road. ASC intervention isn't startlingly apparent though -- in fact, many wouldn't even know that the car had squeezed the odd brake or lifted off the power momentarily  if it weren't for the insistently blinking warning light in the dash display.

Alas a major downside to those big wide tyres is the noise they create -- on gravel it's not too intrusive but on surfaced roads of varying types, the continuous tyre roar is initially irritating. Given that the rest of the car is apparently well sound-proofed, this is an area Mitsubishi would be well advised to please consider.

Luckily, the sound system is good and powerful -- just like the car it's in.

At $47,990 plus on-road costs (a five-seater without leather is $43,190) the asking price for the optioned-to-the-max seven-seater is a little high. That said a little bird told us dealers are keen to negotiate -- if you're in this marketplace, you would be well advised to take a good hard look.

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