Mitsubishi Outlander

Although it still has some off-roading capability, the all-new Outlander is more car-like - just what today's SUV owners want then…

What's New
It is wonderful that carmakers seem to be finally coming to terms with the fact that the majority of Sports Utility Vehicle owners don't really want an off-roader. What they really want is a car that looks like one.

Which is why the new Mitsubishi Outlander is poised to be a hit once local deliveries begin around next month. Where previously we had the Airtrek and the Outlander, the new car replaces both and is easily much better looking than either.

It's got an appropriately tall stance and butch detailing like blistered wheel arches that give it lots of road presence without its designers having to resort to pretentious out-doorsey details like a spare tyre mounted on the tailgate. In fact, the Outlander now looks quite refined, sophisticated and quite frankly, almost too good to get muddy.

This, is just as well anyway because pulling up to a posh hotel in something that looks like it just came from the Dakar Rally is a bit like walking around town in big, yellow rubber boots…

The cabin's interior design also strikes the same balance of style and ruggedness. The dashboard retains a similar fuss-free theme that was first seen in the previous Airtrek.

The Outlander's nod to any off-roading intent can be seen just after the gear lever on the transmission tunnel where the driver will find a knob that lets him choose between two or four wheel drive or to lock the differential should equal power be needed at all the wheels.

How it Performs
As with the Mitsubishi's people mover, the Grandis, the Outlander is fitted with a 2.4-litre four cylinder power unit that incorporates the Japanese carmaker's variable valve timing technology, MIVEC.

Considering the Outlander is appreciably bigger than its predecessor, an output of 170bhp might seem a tad weedy, but it convinces otherwise thanks mainly to the Continuously Variable Transmission which ensures that the engine is always in its optimal torque band at all times.

The Outlander feels its best in two-wheel drive mode as less power is squandered on moving all that extra hardware.

Sitting up nice and high, the Outlander's occupants get a commanding view out, looking over lesser cars so the driver can chart a course for the clearest lane in rush hour traffic.

Riding this high up also means a higher centre of gravity that is betrayed noticeable yaw and pitch if you happen to drive too quickly on an undulating road.

Still, it is easier to live with this than the overtly crashy ride of the Airtrek Turbo as the Outlander is a lot more comfortable when driven sensibly.

For an extra 8 grand over the standard 'M' version of the Outlander, tested here, the specced-up 'M' version gets you a driver's power seat, electronically operated sunroof and a factory-fitted Rockford Fosgate premium sound system.

How it Stacks Up
The next 12 months or so will be a testing time for the Outlander as its compatriots like Toyota and Honda roll out their new soft-roaders, the RAV4 and the anticipated next-generation CR-V respectively so there'll be quite a bit of variety in this segment to choose from.

We have every reason to believe however, that the Outlander will be more than ready for the competition.

Technical Specifications

MODEL Mitsubishi Outlander M ENGINE Engine: 2,359cc 16V in-line 4 Max Power: 170bhp at 6,000rpm Max Torque: 226Nm at 4,100rpm TRANSMISSION Continuously Variable Transmission TOP SPEED 180 kmh 0-100km/h 11.0s