A few months ago, I grabbed a ride from a friend to my car after an event. We approached her SUV from the side at night, so I just had a brief outline before we hustled inside to escape the frigid Chicago air.
Once I was warm, I played auto critique (which alternately amuses and annoys my friends), touching every surface, pressing every button and wiggling in the seat. I couldn’t quite place the vehicle, so I finally broke down and asked. Then I asked again: It’s a what?
A Mitsubishi Outlander.
All I have to say is: This Outlander is a far cry from the previous generation Outlander that I drove a couple years ago.
Redesigned for 2007, this generation Outlander has attractive styling and some serious interior upgrades.
The exterior lines are somewhat unusual, and looking at the Outlander isn’t like looking at every other compact SUV out there. Which is a nice change. The rear windows are tinted, which add some privacy to the back seat. However, if you’re going to be carrying any stuff around in your vehicle – as most people do – I strongly recommend that you invest in the cargo cover for $119. Honestly, I think this should be a standard feature in all SUVs and hatchbacks. Otherwise, you’re just asking for someone to break into your vehicle.
On the inside, the cloth seating surfaces of the test vehicle were durable yet classic in black. The biggest visual upgrade occurs with the gauges behind the wheel and the presentation of the audio system. Previously there was cheap plastic on the center stack and the gauges were flat and unattractive. As this is an entry-level SUV, there’s still a fair amount of plastic, but it doesn’t look cheap. The audio system is swathed in black and surrounded by brushed silver accents. The gauges pop out from behind the steering wheel ringed by that same brushed silver. They’re clean and simple and easy to read.
I also like the idea of the storage compartment above the center stack. It was a great place to put my iPass transponder and garage door opener as well as sunglasses and any miscellaneous papers. The topper was a bit flimsy, but I have yet to see a solid application of this feature in any vehicle from any manufacturer.
The interior of this five-passenger SUV is roomy without being excessive, and backseat passengers will have 39.6 inches of legroom. Cargo volume is really nice in the Outlander considering the fact that it is a compact SUV with a length of 182.7 inches. With the rear seats down, there is 72.6 cubic-feet of cargo volume.
With the redesign, Mitsubishi added a lot of optional technical features that our society is beginning to crave. First, if you buy anything other than a base ES model, you’ll get the FAST Key entry system that allows you to enter and start your car without removing the key from your pocket or purse. This is one of my new favorite features because my purse is a perpetual mess and the less I have to open it, the better. Bluetooth hands-free calling is standard in XLS models, but is available as an option ($250) in ES and LS models. Plus, a navigation system is now available across all models as either a package option ($1,800) or an accessory ($1,999). New for 2008, you can also opt for a rear-seat DVD entertainment system ($1,480) in all models.
The test vehicle was a base ES model with four-wheel drive. So, unfortunately it didn’t have any of the cool tech features to try. It came with the 2.4-liter MIVEC I-4 engine that delivers 168 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm. While I would in no way call this engine peppy, I would say it’s adequate for most people. The fact that the Outlander weighs less than 4,000 pounds (which, by the way, is less than a Chrysler Sebring Convertible with a power hard top) helps the little engine go a long way. Fuel estimates for the test vehicle were 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. A V-6 engine is also available in the Outlander and delivers 204 horsepower. Fuel estimates for the V-6 are 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
The ride of the Outlander is more trucklike than carlike, but since this is an SUV rather than a crossover, I think that is to be expected. The turning radius isn’t the greatest, but the good driving position gave me great visibility out all windows so I could maneuver around tight spaces.
While the new additions are important, the best part of this story is the pricing. Even at its most basic level, the Outlander is a stylish ride. It has attractive upscale exterior lines and a no-frills interior that is classic in its simplicity. The base price for Outlander ES with two-wheel drive and a four-cylinder engine is $20,665. Even if you want to top out with the XLS four-wheel drive model with a V-6, you’ll only be paying $25,785. If you add every option, you’ll max out at about $34K – and that’s with every single possible thing you could ever want (and not want) in a car.
I only had the 2008 Outlander for a short test, but I was impressed with the overall ride and drive of the vehicle. The seats were comfortable, the gauges were easy to read, and the controls were easy to reach.
That friend who first exposed me to the refreshed Outlander loves her everyday driver. After my brief stint behind the wheel, I could see why.
DriveLive around Chicago in a VW Eos
