Mitsubishi Outlander: Packed with features, can carry 7 people.

The top-of-the-line Mitsubishi Outlander stands out thanks to its 7-seat capacity and is imported directly from Japan, but it has a higher price tag compared to the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5.

The 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander is a newcomer to the crossover segment priced around 1 billion VND in Vietnam. The Outlander comes in three versions: the 2.0 CVT STD priced at 975 million VND, the 2.0 CVT at 1.123 billion VND, and the top-of-the-line 2.4 CVT at 1.275 billion VND.

The Outlander is a newcomer to the mid-size crossover segment in Vietnam.

The car used in this review is the top-of-the-line version (2.4 CVT, priced at 1.275 billion VND). It is also the only model in its segment that is imported as a complete unit from Japan.

The Outlander is a mid-size crossover that was first introduced in Japan in 2001. This model possesses the qualities of an off-road SUV with its high ground clearance and four-wheel drive, yet remains fuel-efficient thanks to its small engine and compact size.

Appearance

The fourth-generation Mitsubishi Outlander features a redesigned exterior, utilizing the "Dynamic Shield" design language, a new design approach adopted across most Mitsubishi models.

According to Mitsubishi, the Dynamic Shield features two chrome bars at the front forming an X shape, which are shiny and protrude forward, creating a shield to protect the occupants. This idea comes from the company's famous Mitsubishi Pajero, which has a rather long, protruding front bumper.

The front end is striking thanks to its large chrome trim.

Design has been a weakness for Mitsubishi for over a decade, so the Japanese automaker hopes to revolutionize the design language across most of its new models. The conservative lines of previous Outlander generations have been completely replaced. Strong, decisive, and seamless lines from front to rear replace the soft, weak lines of the previous generation.

The grille also features two large chrome strips that occupy a significant portion of the area, along with the logo positioned in the center. The LED daytime running lights create a striking contrast with the headlights, which combine LED and projector lights for a seamless look. Two additional fog lights are located at the corners of the front bumper.

The protruding taillights and rear spoiler give it a sporty look.

The rear of the car features prominent LED taillights, reminiscent of the Lexus LX570. With the 2016 Outlander, Mitsubishi attempted to refine the design, making the lines more coherent.

With a ground clearance of up to 19 cm, it's 20 mm higher than its competitor, the Honda CR-V. However, the overall height of the Outlander is 10 mm lower than the CR-V.

The hood has a smoother design, no longer featuring muscular lines but instead two small ridges. Overall, the 2016 Outlander has a neutral design, suitable for families who want a versatile vehicle that can accommodate many people and luggage.

Interior

Inside, the interior is quite simple, with a dashboard that has few buttons thanks to the functions being integrated into the touchscreen. The layout is quite logical; the driver can control the car while adjusting the temperature and volume via the small volume knob on the dashboard.

The interior is simple, with few buttons.

The best position inside the cabin is the driver's area. The Outlander prioritizes this position above all else. It features an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat, controls within easy reach, and a user-friendly touchscreen. Volume and menu controls are integrated into the steering wheel.

The second row of seats can be moved forward and backward.

The interior is almost entirely upholstered in leather, giving a warm and spacious feel. Faux wood trim is present on the dashboard and door panels, with a high level of finish. Essentially, the interior materials are on par with rivals like the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V.

The third row of seats is a standout feature compared to its competitors.

The Outlander is a quiet and comfortable vehicle for passengers in the first and second rows. The third row is only available on the top-of-the-line version, and even then, it's only suitable for small children or can be folded flat to the floor to increase cargo space.

The overall interior space is more spacious than the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Subaru Forester. The Outlander has power-adjustable front seats, providing the driver and passenger with good visibility and a comfortable seating position.

The second row seats aren't very flat and are a bit firm, but they're still quite spacious for a car in the same segment. It's comfortable enough for two adults, but it would be a little cramped for three people.

The best aspect of the Outlander's interior design is its completely flat, spacious, and quiet cargo area.

The trunk is spacious and flat.

The vehicle is equipped with keyless entry and remote door locking/unlocking, and a tailgate opener. It features push-button start, automatic climate control, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth connectivity, a 6-speaker, 140-watt sound system, LED taillights, 18-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable rearview mirrors, and a heated windshield. The headlights automatically turn on in the dark.

Additionally, a rather interesting feature when driving on Saigon's roads during the rainy season is the rain-sensing wiper system, which increases its speed according to the intensity of the rain.

Driving feel

In addition to a new design, the 2016 Outlander also features a new, higher-performance powertrain.

The electric power steering provides a fairly light steering feel. Those accustomed to hydraulic power steering like on the Toyota Fortuner may feel a little disoriented the first time they drive the Outlander. However, the driving experience becomes more enjoyable once you get used to the car, easily controlled with one hand, while the other hand is placed on the automatic gear shift or to adjust the entertainment and navigation systems.

The Outlander has very fast acceleration capabilities.

The Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4 CVT version produces 166 horsepower, which isn't a lot for a 1.5-ton vehicle. However, the throttle response is surprisingly quick. A slight touch of the pedal sends the car surging forward. This is thanks to the CVT automatic transmission, which makes the car more responsive.

The inline four-cylinder engine runs so smoothly that sometimes you can't tell if it's even running. The best way is to shift to neutral and gently tap the accelerator or check the tachometer.

The CVT transmission performs well during acceleration; however, once it reaches speeds around 100 km/h, there's a noticeable hesitation and a slight lack of decisiveness, something traditional manual transmissions handle better.

Cabin sound insulation is quite good; engine noise doesn't penetrate much even at high speeds. The car glides silently through the streets, and the view outside the window is like a silent film. To achieve this, Mitsubishi has inserted a layer of sound-absorbing material behind the body panels to minimize external noise. However, underbody sound insulation is only average, a drawback of most crossovers due to their unibody construction.

The two 2.0 versions are front-wheel drive only, while the 2.4 version used in this test has all-wheel drive.

With a ground clearance of 19 cm, it is suitable for off-road driving.

Although aimed at family customers, Mitsubishi still emphasizes the off-road capabilities of this model. Thanks to its 19 cm ground clearance, the car can easily overcome rough terrain or muddy areas. The front shock absorbers have been reinforced for increased stiffness. According to Mitsubishi representatives, these changes are intended to provide a sportier feel.

Safety features

The Mitsubishi Outlander boasts the highest safety rating in its segment, encompassing both active and passive safety. This vehicle achieved top scores in IIHS tests, with a 4-star rating in the frontal crash test and a 5-star rating in the side crash test.

The Outlander has a 5-star safety rating.

Active safety features include a four-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), hill-start assist, emergency brake assist, traction control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Passive safety features include seven airbags, including knee airbags and curtain airbags. The vehicle frame absorbs impact.

Overall, the Outlander is an understated, introverted, rather warm and spacious vehicle. According to the EPA, the all-wheel-drive Outlander consumes 9.8 liters/100km in the city, 8.1 liters/100km on the highway, and an average of 9 liters/100km.

According to Zing