Review - 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

With rivals like the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Isuzu MU-X and the Honda CR-V, the Outlander has the unenviable task of facing up to its competitors in one of the hottest segments of the market, the family SUV market. 

To combat those rivals, Mitsubishi has given the SUV a complete overhaul, releasing their latest generation Outlander to the Australian market in mid-2021, bringing more technology and safety equipment as standard to the range, in a stylish new package. This update will also see the release of plug-in hybrid Outlanders arrive some time in 2022, which gives the lineup a much-needed hybrid option for buyers. 

With that in mind, how significantly have those improvements added to the Outlander’s overall value for money proposition in the seven-seat SUV market? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $34,490

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Mitsubishi Outlander (LS 7 SEAT) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Mitsubishi Outlander car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Mitsubishi Outlander lineup kicks off from $34,490 for the five-seat version of the entry-level Outlander ES grade with a front-wheel drive configuration, and a seven-seat variant priced from $35,490. Moving up to the all-wheel drive Outlander ES brings the price to $36,990 for the five-seat variant. 

The range then moves to LS-grade models, which are priced from $37,990 for the front-wheel drive version, and $40,490 for the LS all-wheel drive variant. Upgrading to the front-wheel drive Aspire trim level brings the price to $41,490, while the all-wheel drive version is priced from $43,990. Finally, the range-topping Exceed all-wheel drive is priced from $47,990, while the Exceed Tourer all-wheel drive flagship has a price tag of $49,990. 

For those looking for an Outlander with a plug-in hybrid engine, prices for the Outlander PHEV start at $51,990 for the ES-grade, stretching out to $56,490 for the mid-range Outlander GSR ZL PHEV and tops-out in the form of the Exceed ZL which is priced from $60,990. The Outlander PHEV is due to arrive in Australia in early 2022, and prices are likely to change ahead of its arrival. 

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What Features Does the Mitsubishi Outlander Have?

The entry-level Mitsubishi Outlander ES comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys, and comes packaged with a 9.0-inch infotainment system with DAB+ radio, bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as dual-zone climate control, automatic wipers, halogen headlights, LED daytime running lamps, a rear-view camera with parking sensors, active cruise control, keyless entry, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, fabric upholstery and a set of LED brake lights. This is in addition to a range of safety features that we’ll cover later in the review.  

Moving to the Outlander LS adds keyless entry and start, wireless smartphone charging, USB ports in the rear of the cabin, a powered boot lift, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rear privacy glass, heated and power-folding mirrors, LED fog lamps, silver accents on the bodywork, a set of roof rails and automatic headlights with high-beam assist. 

Stepping up to the Aspire trim level adds a set of larger 20-inch alloy wheels, as well as a 12.3-inch digital display and heads-up display for the driver, as well as microsuede and leatherette upholstery, powered driver’s seat, heated front seats, a surround-view camera and auto-levelling headlights. 

The Exceed variant comes packing body-coloured exterior panels, as well as a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, sun shades in the rear of the cabin, three-zone climate control, memory seats for the driver and front passenger as well as a premium sound system from BOSE. 

Finally, the range-topping Exceed Tourer grade adds a seat of massaging front seats, as well as a two-tone finish for both the exterior body and the leather trim upholstery. 

Mitsubishi Outlander Range Features: 

• 18-inch alloys 

• 9-inch infotainment system with DAB+, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 

• Active cruise control 

• Rear-view camera with rear-mounted parking sensors 

• Dual-zone climate control 

• LED daytime running lamps and brake lights 

• Wireless smartphone charging (LS Grade) 

• Roof rails (LS Grade) 

• LED fog lamps (LS Grade) 

• 20-inch alloys (Aspire Grade) 

• 12.3-inch digital driver’s display with head-up display (Aspire Grade) 

• Heated front seats (Aspire Grade) 

• Panoramic sunroof and leather upholstery (Exceed Grade) 

• Massaging front seats (Exceed Tourer Grade) 

Mitsubishi Outlander Colours

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

The Mitsubishi Outlander is an extremely comfortable and adaptable SUV that can not only serve as a family commuter, it can also get to work towing large objects and performs admirably off-road compared to some of its rivals. Your first impressions of the Outlander will no doubt be the super soft suspension system, which works like magic flattening out the bumps and irregularities you’ll commonly find on Australian roads. 

The smoothness keeps on coming thanks to Mitsubishi’s engine and transmission combination, which gives you just enough power for normal driving, but lacks the overall grunt compared to some key rivals. Power is thrown to the wheels via a silky-smooth CVT transmission, which effectively behaves like one long gear, so you won’t be bothered by the shudder or gearshifts, and the transmission will keep you at the optimal point for bursts of acceleration. Front-wheel drive variants lack the overall stability and planted feel that all-wheel drive Outlanders receive, but overall, unless you’re planning on taking it off road, an all-wheel drive system isn’t a must-have. 

The steering has been designed to be relatively light-weight for a vehicle of this size, which means the Outlander is approachable and user-friendly for new drivers and those inexperienced with piloting an SUV. This also means that the process of navigating tight quarters and navigating car parks is a simple task, which is a welcomed addition for an SUV. In terms of towing power for weekend adventures and holiday road trips, the entry-level Outlander ES has a braked towing capacity of 1,600kg while higher-spec units are rated at 2,000kg. 

Is it Practical and Spacious for a Family of Seven? 

The Mitsubishi Outlander can be optioned with either a five or a seven-seat configuration, so if you’re in the market for a seven-seat SUV, make it clear you’re looking for the latter with three-rows of seating rather than just two. The front cabin design remains the same between both variants, with a relatively simple and ergonomic cabin design that offers the driver and front passenger large door bins and a central console for storage of loose items, as well as cupholders and wireless smartphone chargers in higher-level models. All up, the front cabin is spacious and gives the driver a clear view of sight through the windshield, which makes the Outlander feel more welcoming to drive for new-comers to the segment.

Move to the rear and you’ll find a comfortable bench seat in the second-row, with a huge amount of both head and legroom for rear passengers. Passengers seated here are treated to their own set of air vents and a shared folding armrest that doubles as a set of cup holders. There’s nothing unique or special about the design here, but it’s everything that an Australian family will need. 

As we move further back into the cabin, the third-row of seating is no doubt designed primarily for children, with a fairly cramped third row of seats. This isn’t unique to the Outlander, though, with a number of seven-seat SUVs offering a third row of seats that have almost identical proportions in the rear-most of the cabin. 

In terms of boot space, the seven-seat configuration brings cargo storage to just 128L with all the seats in position, however this extends to a much more usable 478L with the third-row folded down. The five-seat Outlander has 485L of boot space as standard, which extends to 1,602L with the second-row of seats folded down for large, bulky objects. For parents, the Outlander comes with two ISOFIX anchor and top tether points in the second row of the cabin.  

All up, then, the Outlander is an extremely practical SUV designed primarily with families in mind, and does a great job in transporting a family’s-worth of bodies and belongings. 

Is it Safe? 

The latest-generation Mitsubishi Outlander is yet to be officially rated by ANCAP, however, the company is throwing in a heap of active safety technologies to sweeten the deal for buyers. As standard, even base model Outlanders receive autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with braking assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera with front and rear-mounted parking sensors, driver attention monitoring, lane departure warnings with lane keep assistance and traffic sign recognition. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Mitsubishi Outlander’s economy depends on which variant you opt for, with the base model offering the most economical figure of 7.5L per 100km, while this increases to 7.7L per 100km for the LS and Aspire front-wheel drive variants and stands at 8.1L per 100km for seven-seat AWD variants. All up, these figures are actually pretty impressive for a petrol engine in a seven-seat SUV body, but they can’t compete with the economy of a turbo-diesel. 

The Outlander plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is rated at just 1.9L per 100km thanks to its clever powertrain, which offers some of the best economy figures of the segment. 

Our Verdict: Is the Mitsubishi Outlander Worth it? 

The Mitsubishi Outlander is an SUV that not only ticks all the important boxes, it seemingly goes out of its way to tick them with confidence, and with the latest update, style. Considering Mitsubishi has just given the Outlander a complete overhaul over the previous generation, it’s hard to walk past it as a serious contender in the world of seven seat SUVs. Fresh off the back of a serious update, there’s never been a better time to step into the Outlander. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. 10-year/200,000km warranty if serviced by Mitsubishi 

2. Capped price servicing packages available 

3. Available in a five and seven-seat configuration 

4. 485L of boot space for five-seat Outlander; 128L in seven-seat variant

5. No official ANCAP safety rating yet 

Pros 

• Classy styling, updated technology

• Impressive safety equipment as standard 

• Extremely comfortable suspension 

Cons

• Lacks towing capacity of some rivals 

• Cramped third-row seats 

• Limited engine performance 

Online Auto Rating: 8/10

Mitsubishi Outlander Competition