Bigger, smarter, tougher Outlander makes a strong first impression, but can it go the distance?
The Mitsubishi Outlander has traditionally been a good-value and spacious entrant in the mid-size SUV class, but tending to lag behind its rivals in terms of safety, technology and design. The new-generation model now on sale addresses these issues to deliver an improved vehicle that’s even bigger and just as well-equipped as top-sellers like the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5. But there’s a couple of sticking points, such as engine performance and airbag coverage. Do the positives outweigh the negatives? Let’s dive in and find out…
Pricing on the rise
I quite like this car. Sure, it looks a bit munted at the front with split headlight clusters festooned with chrome, but the new-generation 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is bigger, smarter, more luxurious and better equipped than before.
It drives a whole lot better too.
With all the new goodies the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander brings, it attracted a considerable price hike at its launch late last year – and has already copped a further increase.
With its manufacturer’s recommended retail price now set at $48,490 plus on-road costs, the high-grade Outlander Exceed model on test here now extends well beyond $50,000 once you’re out on the street with it.
The Red Diamond paint job on our test vehicle adds $940, and there’s an extensive accessories list, including bonnet protector ($198), black 20-inch alloy wheels ($2611), a large Thule roof pod ($1363) and an adventure pack ($2845) that includes a front nudge bar, roof rack cross bars and more.
Looking beyond the dollar figures, the new-generation Mitsubishi Outlander has more room than its predecessor (and many of its rivals) and all models now gain wireless Apple CarPlay or wired Android Auto, a 9.0-inch central touch-screen, alloy wheels, LED lights and parking sensors at both ends, keyless entry and push-button engine start.
A few standard items were removed from the list with the latest MY22.5 changes, due to the ongoing semi-conductor shortage and related issues, so check with your local dealer.
Nonetheless, the Outlander is a proper grown-up SUV now with all the convenience features that make drive life a lot easier, and this Exceed model grade adds niceties such as power-adjustable and diamond-patterned leather seat trim (in black or light grey), three-zone climate control, a big panoramic sunroof with tilt and slide opening, rear seat window shades, a Bose premium sound system and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
That’s in addition to several features inherited from mid-spec Outlander grades, including a proximity key fob, wireless phone charger, powered tailgate, and so on.
All models come standard with seven seats, except the entry-level ES model (a $1000 option) and a big bonus for potential buyers is the medium SUV’s aftersales provisions, namely the class-leading 10-year/200,000km kilometre warranty – if it’s serviced with an authorised Mitsubishi dealership.
The Outlander is backed by an impressive 10-year/150,000km capped-priced service plan that totals $3190 over that time, or an average of $319 per annum.
Overall, the Mitsubishi’s new hero car is not as affordable as it once was, but there’s still value to be found here.
Five-star safety, with a twist
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was recently awarded a five-star rating by independent vehicle safety authority ANCAP.
This top rating came despite the fact that the curtain airbags don’t cover the ‘occasional’ third-row seats, which is a disappointing omission no matter how you look at it.
The larger Kia Sorento also falls into that category, as does the related Hyundai Santa Fe.
The Outlander has eight airbags in total, and beyond that glaring omission with third-row protection – and the fact that the central front airbag “did not meet ANCAP’s coverage requirements” – the new-gen model is flush with plenty of advanced safety and technology.
All variants come with adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, lane departure prevention, lane change alert with brake assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and trailer stability assist.
The Exceed also has features like a 360-degree parking camera, adaptive headlights and an impressive 10.8-inch head-up display.
More power please
While all the tech features worked well during our time with the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed, and the vehicle slotted into family life with relative ease, its engine performance came as another disappointment.
Across a two-week break with the Outlander, transporting two adults and two infants on an 1100km trip with lots of luggage, beach gear, bikes (you name it, we had it stuffed in), the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine wasn’t really up for the job.
Pumping out 135kW at 6000rpm and 245Nm at 3600rpm, through a stepped CVT (which is admittedly pretty good), the engine struggles and feels gutless when the car is fully laden – especially on inclines.
Like the new Subaru Outback I recently evaluated, the engine feels like an afterthought, while the rest of the vehicle has been thoughtfully constructed.
You can get decent economy, particularly during freeway driving, but the 10.2L/100km fuel consumption we averaged over a couple of weeks in the saddle was a far cry from the official 8.1L/100km claim.
It strikes me that many car-makers will persist with dated engines during this decade as R&D dollars are poured into electrified powertrains – which is where the upcoming plug-in hybrid powertrain for the Outlander PHEV may end up as the preferred choice.
A better groove
Driving the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed is a pleasant experience, with much-improved refinement levels and a more dynamic attitude.
It’s not going to set lap records at the local racetrack, but it carves through corners fairly confidently thanks to a neatly calibrated suspension system that ensures good body control.
The steering is super-light and easy to work, which helps around town and improves tight manoeuvres and parking. Outward vision is pretty good too.
Ride comfort is generally good, gliding easily over most cracks and bumps in the road. The only concern came when traversing stern speed humps and bigger pot holes, the 20-inch alloys and sporty tyres occasionally banging harshly in and over them.
That said, the Outlander proved predictable on smooth-ish gravel tracks, the all-wheel drive system (dubbed AWC-S) and above-average 210mm ground clearance working well on extended dirt road forays.
It’s also a good long-distance cruiser with a decently-sized 55-litre fuel tank, and the comfy quilted leather seats of this Exceed model grade help make the experience more luxurious and comfortable.
The cabin is nicely finished with up-scale dashboard coverings, a classy leather-bound steering wheel and gear shifter, along with carpeted floor mats. It all feels very un-Mitsubishi.
However, there are a few areas that look and feel cheap, like some of the faux-metallic plasticky bits around the transmission shifter. The large digital driver’s display is clean and sharp, but it also employs bland and boring graphics.
There’s decent room in the second-row seats, which have a neat sliding mechanism to deliver more legroom or extend boot space.
The built-in side window shades are a nice touch too, good for when the progeny are slumbering.
The third-row seats are cramped, but I did get in there for one short trip, with my pins crunched sideways. Not recommended.
The boot space is pretty good (478 litres) and expands to 1473 litres, while the automatic tailgate is swift in its movement.
Weighing it up
Given the dramatic visuals of the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, it might almost have made more sense to have retained its concept car name – the Engelberg Tourer .
This is a well-executed vehicle for the most part and a big step up for the Outlander, but I reckon the pick of the litter would be the more affordable mid-spec LS or Aspire rather than the Exceed model on test.
As it stands, the strong warranty and impressive equipment list make the latest Outlander far more competitive than previously, and if the forthcoming plug-in hybrid electric model is sharply priced it could be the more compelling option.
But to answer the question posed in our introduction: Yes, I believe the positives outweigh the negatives here.
The lacklustre engine and absence of third-row curtain airbags are not deal breakers for me.
In overall terms, the new Mitsubishi Outlander is a respectable family SUV.
How much does the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed cost?Price: $48,490 (plus on-road costs)Available: NowEngine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrolOutput: 135kW/245NmTransmission: Continuously variable automaticFuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR Combined)CO2: 185g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2022)
Keyword: Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed 2022 Review