Review - 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander

While it’s classed as a midsize SUV, the Mitsubishi Outlander is one of the segment’s few to offer a seven-seat option for growing families.

There’s also a plug-in hybrid engine option within the Outlander range for fuel-conscious buyers, so let’s take a closer look at the lineup to see which is the best option for family buyers.

Mitsubishi Outlander Competition

Starting Price: $37,740

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How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the Mitsubishi Outlander range kick off from $37,740 for the entry-level Outlander ES, while stepping up to the Outlander LS brings the price up to $41,240 and moving to the Outlander LS AWD brings the price to $43,740.

Moving to the Outlander Aspire brings the price to $44,840, with the Outlander Aspire AWD priced at $47,340 and the move to the Outlander Exceed priced at $52,640 while the Exceed Tourer AWD receives a $55,190 price tag.

Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV Aspire is priced at $63,790 while the Outlander PHEV Exceed AWD is priced at $69,290 and the range-topping Outlander PEHV Exceed Tourer AWD is priced at $71,790.

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Mitsubishi Outlander - ASPIRE 7 SEAT (2WD) Specifications

What Features Does the Mitsubishi Outlander Have?

Mitsubishi’s entry-level Outlander ES comes riding on 18-inch alloys and receives automatic LED headlights, keyless start, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, cloth upholstery, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

The entry-level Outlander PHEV ES adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, adjustable driving modes and both Mode 2 and 3 charging cables.

Stepping up to the Outlander LS adds a seven-seat layout as well as a set of LED fog lights, roof rails, rear privacy glass, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, wireless charging pad and an upgraded 9.0-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

The Outlander Aspire picks up a set of 20-inch alloys, a powered boot lift, a surround-view monitor, head-up display, adaptive LED headlights, leatherette and microsuede upholstery, power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, heated front seats and 240V outlets in the Aspire PHEV.

Mitsubishi’s Outlander Exceed receives a panoramic sunroof, sequential LED indicators, tri-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, leather upholstery with a heated steering wheel, a 10-speaker Bose sound system and the MI-PILOT driving assistant.

Finally, the range-topping Outlander Exceed Tourer picks up a seat of massaging front seats, a two-tone finish for the leather upholstery and exterior finish and a set of heated rear seats.

Range Features:

• 18-inch alloys 

• Automatic LED headlights 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Rear-view camera with parking sensors 

• Cloth upholstery for the five-seat layout 

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Seven seat layout with leather steering wheel & gear lever (LS) 

• 9.0-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto (LS) 

• 20-inch alloys (Aspire) 

• Surround-view monitor (Aspire) 

• Powered boot lift (Aspire) 

• Panoramic sunroof (Exceed) 

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (Exceed) 

• Leather upholstery (Exceed) 

• Massaging front seats with heated rear seats (Exceed Tourer) 

• Two-tone leather and exterior paint finish (Exceed Tourer) 

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander Comfortable to Drive?

User-friendliness is the name of the game in the world of family-focused midsize SUVs, and in this respect, the latest Mitsubishi Outlander is a strong performer.

Power for the majority of the Outlander range comes supplied by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 135kW of power and 244Nm of torque, which is delivered to either the front or all four wheels via a CVT automatic.

Acceleration from the base petrol engine is respectable, and while the CVT automatic detracts somewhat from the fun, it’s well suited to the family runaround brief that the Outlander has to tick.

Having said that, there’s quite a sizable divide between the petrol-powered range and the Outlander PHEV variants, which are by far the most enjoyable and refined to drive.

Outlander PHEV variants pick up a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with two electric motors that increase power up to 185kW and boost torque figures to 450Nm, making it far more energetic as you pick up the pace.

Whichever engine you opt for, the Outlander platform can handle a mix of Australian road conditions, though AWD variants will prove a wise investment if you’re frequenting country roads or highways.

On that note, the ride quality gets noticeably firmer as you upgrade to higher-ranking variants with larger alloy wheels, with the smaller rims proving to be far more accommodating to bumps and potholes than the more premium 20-inch alloys fitted to the Aspire and above.

Around town, the Outlander is much more at home and remains incredibly easy to pilot thanks to its featherweight steering which means it doesn’t feel imposing while parking or making a quick three-point turn.

Town driving is made even easier with PHEV variants that can pick up speed more eagerly and offer silent motoring that will come as welcome news for large families.

All up, the Outlander is a strong performer in the midsize SUV segment, and while it’s not a class leader in any major aspect, it confidently ticks all the boxes that Aussie families will be looking for in a versatile family car.

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander Fuel Efficient?

Fuel economy figures for the Outlander range vary from 7.5L/100km in the case of the entry-level ES FWD, rising to 8.1L/100km in the thirstiest AWD variants, making it reasonably fuel efficient for the segment, but nothing special.

The fuel efficiency hero of the range is, of course, Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid range which is rated at just 1.5L/100km on a combined cycle, though these figures are difficult to replicate in the real world and require a fully-charged battery.

How Far Can the Outlander PHEV Drive on Electric Power Alone?

Mitsubishi says that the 20kWh battery fitted to the Outlander PHEV range offers 84km of all-electric driving under the NEDC test cycle.

While real-world range figures are subject to change depending on the road conditions, a 20kWh battery pack is quite substantial for a plug-in hybrid vehicle and gives the Outlander some genuinely usable silent, all-electric range figures.

How Long Does it Take to Charge the Outlander PHEV’s Battery Pack?

Mitsubishi says that the Outlander PHEV’s 20kWh battery pack can be charged from 0-100 per cent in just 38 minutes with access to the right DC fast charger.

Using an AC charger at home takes just under 10 hours for a full charge.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Mitsubishi’s redesign for the Outlander back in 2021 resulted in a much more practical and spacious SUV package that is offered in both five- and seven-seat layouts.

Note that if you’ve got a large family, you’ll need to upgrade to the Outlander LS or above, with the entry-level ES receiving a five-seat layout as standard.

Step inside the cabin and the Outlander’s layout is nice and clean, with Mitsubishi’s designers keen to avoid a clutter of buttons that can be imposing to new drivers, while headroom is excellent for tall drivers looking for a spacious cabin.

The centre console offers a pair of cup holders, a storage tray behind the gear lever, another tier of storage hidden beneath the console itself, large door bins on either side of the cabin, a decent glovebox and added storage inside the folding armrest.

Move to the second row and there’s an impressive amount of space on offer in the back of the Outlander, with no issues in terms of head or legroom, even for adults, meaning you’re unlikely to hear any complaints from kids back there.

The second row of the Outlander’s cabin picks up a pair of ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts, atop the air vents and USB ports to keep the family happy on long journeys.

The Outlander is one of the few midsize SUVs to offer a seven-seat layout, though it’s important to curb your expectations when it comes to third-row space because it’s more of a five-plus-two arrangement for extremely small kids over a fully-fledged seven-seater.

In terms of cargo space, the Outlander offers 485L of boot space in a five-seat format, expanding to 1466L with the rear seats folded, while the PHEV has a boot measuring 494L that expands to 1414L.

Opting for the seven-seat petrol range brings cargo space down to 163L behind the third row, expanding to 478L in a five-seat format and up to a maximum of 1461L, while the seven-seat PHEV range measures 191L behind the third row, 461L behind the second row up to a maximum of 1387L.

Is it Safe?

The Mitsubishi Outlander has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating after testing in 2022 where it scored:

• Adult Occupant Protection: 83% 

• Child Occupant Protection: 92% 

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 81%

• Safety Assist: 83%

As standard, all members of the Outlander range receive forward and rear autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and junction assist, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alerts, driver attention alerts, traffic sign recognition and a rear-view camera with parking sensors.

Stepping up to the Aspire adds a surround-view monitor, while the Exceed picks up Mitsubishi’s MI-PILOT driving assistant with lane-keep steering assistance, speed limit and traffic jam assist.

Our Verdict: Is the Mitsubishi Outlander Worth it?

While the Mitsubishi Outlander isn’t a game-changer in terms of the driving experience or interior layout, when you combine all the features and the company’s outstanding warranty, it’s one of the leading value propositions in the midsize SUV segment.

The plug-in hybrid powertrain is a super slick and fuel-efficient addition to the range and, thankfully, Mitsubishi hasn’t reserved it only for the top of the range, which is a nice touch.

All up, we highly recommend adding the Mitsubishi Outlander to your shortlist if you’re looking for a comfortable and extremely versatile midsize SUV that can double as a seven-seater from time to time.

Don’t forget - if you’re in the market for a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price on your next car.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/100,000km warranty extends to 10-year/200,000km

2. 1.5 - 8.1L/100km combined cycle fuel economy 

3. Five-seat layout for base ES; seven-seat for LS & above 

4. 494L boot drops to 163L in seven-seater 

5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating