The Mitsubishi Outlander continues to be one among Australia’s top-selling SUVs, with greater than 15,000 delivered between January and August this yr.
Solely the Toyota RAV4 has outsold it from its class, with the Mitsubishi narrowly outgunning different big-name rivals such because the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson and Subaru Forester this yr.
Eye-catching design (with huge wheels and the appropriate paint specifically), a well-thought-out inside with tons of area, respectable pricing, and the provision of a 10-year guarantee all play their half within the automotive’s success.
Right here we revisit the upper-mid-level Outlander Aspire petrol – which you’ll anticipate to drive away from the supplier for underneath $50,000.
How does the Mitsubishi Outlander fare vs its opponents?
View an in depth breakdown of the Mitsubishi Outlander in opposition to equally sized autos.
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Outlander
How a lot does the Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire value?
The Aspire petrol is $44,240 earlier than on-road prices as a front-wheel drive (FWD) just like the one examined right here, with all-wheel drive (AWD) commanding a further $2500.
It sits in the midst of the Outlander vary, above the ES and LS, and beneath the Exceed and Exceed Tourer. The Aspire can be probably the most luxurious variant obtainable with FWD.
The Outlander Aspire chief opponents on worth are mid-upper vary variants of top-sellers just like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and Nissan X-Path – which shares the Mitsubishi’s platform.
Nonetheless, in contrast to these fundamental opponents (apart from the Nissan), the Outlander affords a 3rd seating row, suited largely to children, for added versatility.
So, it will possibly simply as simply be cross-shopped in opposition to barely bigger and dearer ‘5+2’ autos just like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander costs
Outlander ES FWD: $37,240Outlander ES AWD: $39,740Outlander LS FWD: $40,740Outlander LS AWD: $43,240Outlander Aspire FWD: $44,240Outlander Aspire AWD: $46,740Outlander Exceed AWD: $51,990Outlander Exceed Tourer AWD: $54,490Outlander ES PHEV: $56,490Outlander Aspire PHEV: $62,990Outlander Exceed PHEV: $68,490Outlander Exceed Tourer PHEV: $70,990
Costs earlier than on-road prices
What’s the Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire like on the within?
The Outlander Aspire has a regular proximity-sensing key fob and auto-unfolding facet mirrors, in addition to microsuede and artificial leather-based seats with fairly beneficiant facet and thigh bolstering.
Each entrance seats are heated at this spec stage, however solely the motive force’s facet has powered changes: the front-passenger seat is guide.
The wheel is wrapped in high-quality leather-based with tastefully perforated hand grips, and feels prefer it belongs in a dearer automotive. It additionally affords ample telescopic and peak changes.
Whereas the Exceed comes with digital devices, the Aspire comes with conventional analogue speedometer and tachometer flanking a digital journey laptop, augmented by a head-up show. A downgrade, in different phrases.
By way of supplies Mitsubishi has made a transparent effort. There are many padded touchpoints and silver inserts, in addition to minimal use of annoying shiny black trim, apart from a slim strip alongside the sprint and transmission tunnel.
Nonetheless, there are indicators of some cost-saving. As an illustration, the door playing cards flex when pressed and the transmission tunnel creaks once you knee it arduous. Nonetheless, by way of appear and feel the 2023 Outlander does properly sufficient, and is infinitely extra attention-grabbing than the previous mannequin so beloved by fleets.
The 9.0-inch centre touchscreen is mounted excessive and affords embedded navigation (not cloud-based) and a mixed overhead and rear digital camera view with acceptably clear decision, albeit not as crystal-clear as some newer entrants such because the Haval H6.
There’s wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto (too dangerous for me with my Pixel 7 Professional!) for individuals who choose cellphone mirroring, plus AM/FM/DAB+ receivers, USB-A and USB-C ports, and a wi-fi charger.
I’d simply be aware right here that the associated Nissan X-Path comes with a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen working a slicker infotainment system which isn’t obtainable within the Outlander.
Local weather controls are operated by buttons and dials fairly than touchscreen or haptic pads, which is great, and there are two entrance temperature zones. In uncommonly heat September climate the AC held its personal, as evidenced by my spouse turning the temperature on her facet up.
Storage choices embody bottle-friendly door bins, a rubberised cellphone storage cubby in entrance of the stubby by-wire gear shifter, two toothed cupholders, a smallish console and glovebox, and a sun shades holder within the roof.
There’s no huge open hidden part underneath the transmission tunnel, which some opponents utilizing a shift-by-wire setup discover area to supply. It is a disgrace since hiding issues from prying eyes is essential.
I’ve no gripes with back-seat area although. I’m 194cm and had ample leg, toe and head room behind my very own driving place, and the middle-row bench each slides on rails and reclines. The again of every entrance seat additionally has three separate pockets, fairly than the customary one.
Facilities again right here embody rear air vents and USB ports, studying lights, coat hooks, damped seize handles and a full ski port with cupholders. There’s a small driveline hump alongside the centre however the center seat is comparatively snug – so far as this section goes.
In contrast to many opponents; together with the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, the Outlander affords a 3rd seating row.
Quite than a full-size seven-seater it’s extra of a ‘5+2’, however the rearmost row is helpful for particular events and definitely child-friendly.
Entry is by way of the kerbside portion of the centre bench, which is simple to slip and tilt without delay. When not in use the third row of seats stow neatly into the ground, with the headrests stashed away in their very own separate compartment.
The boot is powered and well-thought-out. It has neat underfloor storage for the inflexible cargo cowl bar (with pull-out vinyl piece), levers to fold down the centre row from the rear, bag hooks, a 12V socket and deep cubbies behind every rear wheel properly. There’s a space-saver spare tyre too.
Boot capability measures 478L with the third row of seats folded, in a flooring space that’s 974mm lengthy by 1380mm broad (1070mm between the wheel arches), by 870mm tall.
There’s nonetheless 163L of storage with seats six and 7 deployed (you’ll be able to have one down and one up should you choose). With the center seat rows folded there’s a 1461L loading space that’s 1.7m lengthy.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The usual engine is a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol shared with the Nissan X-Path, producing 135kW of energy and 244Nm of torque.
The engine is mated to a CVT automated with eight pre-set speeds in guide override mode, and front-wheel drive. For an extra $2500 you’ll be able to choice on-demand all-wheel drive, which Mitsubishi dubs ‘Tremendous-All Wheel Management’.
The engine runs on 91 RON gas and Mitsubishi quotes an ADR combined-cycle gas effectivity determine of seven.7 litres per 100km. The gas tank is 55 litres.
The Aspire additionally comes with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) choice providing round 80km of EV vary plus a petroleum engine-generator, with commonplace AWD. Nonetheless given it prices an additional $16,000, it’s by no means the simplest promote.
How does the Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire drive?
Whereas the Outlander does properly on the subject of inside area, value-for-money and even design, it’s no class-leader on the subject of driving dynamics.
Positives first: the driving place is commanding and outboard visibility is sweet. There are additionally blind-spot alerts and a really useful head-up show projected onto the windscreen.
The two.5-litre petrol engine affords good preliminary response and the dearth of a turbocharger means it’s extra linear. It’s not a sports activities machine nevertheless it affords respectable pep, even when the CVT sounds just a little monotonous and drone-like once you’re overtaking.
There are additionally varied modes managed by the spherical dial subsequent to the gear shifter. These can uninteresting (Eco) or sharpen (Tarmac) the accelerator response, to respectively save gas or enhance acceleration.
The gas use declare is achievable. I used to be averaging 8.0L/100km doing largely freeway driving, however a combined-cycle determine round 8.5L/100km could be very attainable with out a lot effort.
I might undoubtedly suggest contemplating the AWD choice. Mitsubishi’s S-AWC system with Energetic Yaw Management and a Mud terrain calibration mode is among the higher techniques of its sort in the marketplace. It guarantees an added dose of versatility, which is at all times good to have.
Now to the not-so-good. Whereas we don’t anticipate household SUVs to be corner-carvers, we do anticipate them to be snug, and the Outlander on its 20-inch wheels tends to transmit a good bit of a jarring into the inside over sharp impacts corresponding to growth joints or potholes.
The automobile has all-round impartial suspension however the damper tuning on compression wants some work.
The electrical energy steering system is gentle and freed from resistance, but in addition just a little imprecise proper off centre, which means I discovered myself making common minor corrections. The physique management in corners is acceptably tied down however extra suggestions via the wheel could be welcome.
This plus the expansive and tall bonnet makes the Outlander (4.7m lengthy with an 11.2m turning circle) really feel bigger than it truly is.
By way of different driver-assist options, the adaptive cruise management labored excellently at matching the pace of the automotive forward however the lane-keeping help makes use of vibrations and selective wheel braking fairly than direct steering intervention to halt a lane-departure, like most opponents.
If the trip high quality was higher I’d give the Outlander a cross. These prioritising consolation may do properly to take a look at the Outlander LS, which has 18-inch wheels with some extra cushioning tyre sidewall.
What do you get?
Outlander ES highlights:
FWD or AWD5 seater18-inch wheels Full-size spare tyreLED headlights and daytime working lightsFront and rear parking sensorsRear-view cameraButton startCloth seat trimTwo-zone local weather control8.0-inch touchscreenAndroid Auto – wiredApple CarPlay – wiredUSB-C, USB-A and 12V socketsDigital radio receiver
Outlander LS provides:
FWD or AWD7 seaterProximity-sensing key fobDusk-sensing headlightsRain-sensing wipers Area-saver spare tyreRear privateness glassRoof railsLED fog lightsAuto-folding, heated facet mirrorsAuto-dimming rear-view mirror9.0-inch touchscreenApple CarPlay – wirelessSatellite navigationWireless cellphone chargerSecond-row USB ports Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
Outlander Aspire provides:
FWD or AWD7 seater20-inch wheelsAuto-levelling and adaptive LED headlightsPowered tailgateMicrosuede and artificial leather-based seatsHeated entrance seatsPowered driver’s seat adjustmentHead-up displaySurround-view digital camera
Outlander Exceed provides:
AWD only7 seaterPanoramic sunroofHands-free powered tailgateLeather seats with reminiscence modesPowered entrance passenger seat Sunshade in rear door trim Tri-zone local weather management (rear added) 10-speaker Bose audio upgrade12.3-inch digital devices Heated steering wheelFront LED sequential indicators
Outlander Exceed Tourer provides:
AWD only7 seaterTwo-tone paintHigher-grade leather-based trimMassaging entrance seatsHeated rear seats
Paint selection:
WhiteCosmic Blue – $740Sterling Silver – $740Titanium – $740Red Diamond – $940White Diamond – $940Black Diamond – $940
Key equipment:
Safety pack – $1342 and fitted hereBonnet and window wind deflectorsFloor and baggage matsFloor mats – $216 (regular) or $350 (all climate)Dashcam – $364Rear window sunshades (roll-up) – $552Towbar equipment – $1457Trailer brake controller – $815Rigid cargo barrier – $1433Roof rack cross bars – $643
You’d must say based mostly on this that the LS seems to be just like the rear worth play.
Is the Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire secure?
The Outlander carries a five-star ANCAP security ranking with a 2022 date stamp.
It scored 83 per cent for grownup occupants, 92 per cent for little one occupants, 81 per cent for weak road-user safety, and 83 per cent for security help options.
Customary security options embody:
8 airbags2 x ISOFIX and three x prime tethersAEB with pedestrian detectionAEB when reverse parkingDrowsy driver monitorBlind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertLane departure alertLane holding help by way of brakingTraffic-sign recognitionAdaptive cruise management
There are a number of extra driver help aids on the Exceed and Exceed Tourer together with auto lane-centring, Visitors Jam Help (which re-engages the adaptive cruise management in cease/begin driving), and a pace limiter that may use highway digital camera inputs to match the present pace restrict for you.
Whereas these options aren’t low-cost, one may anticipate to see them on the Aspire – if not the fleet-focused ES.
How a lot does the Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire value to run?
Mitsubishi supplies as much as 10 years or 200,000km of guarantee, whichever comes first. That is the longest guarantee out there by way of years, however not mileage.
Nonetheless the caveat is that house owners should have their automobile serviced at a Mitsubishi supplier. In any other case the guarantee reverts to 5 years or 100,000km, or ends if the non-dealer service befell past this cut-off date.
On the plus facet most supplier providers are fairly properly priced, although not fairly as low-cost as Toyota. The primary 5 visits value $299, $349, $299, $349 and $299, earlier than the sixth jumps to $649.
The primary 12 months of possession are additionally lined by 12 months of roadside help and motoring membership membership.
For my part it’s value servicing your automobile on the supplier to maintain the last decade of guarantee, notably should you promote the automobile with out super-high mileage after 5 or so years like lots of people – at which level you’ll most likely get barely higher resale worth.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire
The Outlander will get quite a bit proper. It turns heads, has plenty of room for the household together with the occasional-use third row, is comparatively inexpensive to run, and has as much as a decade of guarantee.
It’s a stable guess within the well-stocked household SUV race, a automobile that straddles the medium and enormous SUV segments from a model with runs on the board.
However don’t anticipate a lot in the way in which of driving pleasure, with room for enchancment in areas like engine refinement and trip consolation.
Furthermore, at Aspire spec stage it could profit from a greater touchscreen and the complete suite of driver help features.
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