2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

Consider the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander a dark horse in a crowded stable of small SUVs. In previous years, the Outlander was an also ran, but thanks to big lift from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, this all-new Outlander becomes less of a long shot to lure buyers away from alternatives like the Kia Sorento, Volkswagen Tiguan and Toyota RAV4.

Under its distinctive new skin, the Outlander shares its platform, engine, transmission and other critical components with the latest Nissan Rogue, one of America’s best-selling small SUVs. It then adds a standard pair of third-row seats that’s a rarity in the segment—strictly for small children in terms of head- and legroom, but still useable, especially in a pinch. The new Outlander also adds technology exclusive to the model, including Mitsubishi’s rally-derived “Super All Wheel Control” all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup.

An all-new, plug-in hybrid model coming later this year will give Mitsubishi another high-profile selling point. But don’t confuse the new plug-in hybrid with the 2021 Outlander PHEV, the only version of the departing model that’s still floating around Mitsubishi dealerships. The PHEV is popular, but the Outlander you really want starts from the 2022 model year.

Inside and out, the Outlander’s family resemblance with the Rogue is clear, like step-siblings with a common parent. Yet the Mitsubishi goes its own way wherever possible, including a rugged face that wouldn’t look out of place on a pickup truck. A flat roof harkens to old-school SUVs, such as Mitsubishi’s long-departed Montero.

A vast wraparound grille and stacked headlamp elements, including daytime running lamps sandwiched below a Land Rover-esque hood, heighten visual interest. Aside from a base ES model with 18-inch wheels (starting from $26,990 with front-wheel-drive), every Outlander gets 20-inch alloy wheels, further boosting its substantial vibe. 

The Outlander’s interior takes an even bigger leap into contention. Where the old Outlander was dated and dowdy, the new one is on-point. Mitsubishi’s product planners did their homework, addressing a whole wish list of SUV comfort and safety features, many made possibly by sharing tech with Nissan.

A high-value SE model starts from $30,040, with AWD adding $1,800 to any version. That SE brings such features as wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, a nine-inch touchscreen with navigation, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and lane departure warning, traffic-sign recognition and a hands-free power tailgate. That’s a lot of features in a $30,000 SUV.

Unlike the old Outlander, active-safety features are well-sprinkled throughout the lineup. Even the dead-base ES model gets automatic braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear emergency braking, a driver attention monitor, hill descent control and trailer sway control. Mitsubishi brands its new safety suite MI-PILOT, and some of the tech is rooted in Nissan’s ProPILOT.

For $32,340, an SE with Tech Package adds a 12.3-inch, reconfigurable driving display, with animations for the Outlander’s selectable drive modes, including Snow, Mud and a sporty “Tarmac” setting. That version also adds Bose audio and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. The $33,140 SEL version brings goodies such as leather upholstery, roof rails, heated rear seats and three-zone climate control. Finally, atop the heap, the SEL with Touring Package ($35,840, or $37,640 with AWD) brings smooth, semi-aniline leather that’s typically reserved for luxury cars, along with a head-up display, premium Bose audio, a panoramic power roof, heated rear seats and rear side sunshades. 

A two-inch wider body (and 1.6-inch wheelbase stretch) over the previous model creates more space inside, including about an inch more legroom in both first and second rows. A simple, strongly horizontal dashboard boosts the spacious feel. As in the redesigned Rogue, softly padded surfaces and higher-quality switches create a more upscale vibe. And where the old Outlander offered only a black interior, a pleasant shade of light gray joins the mix.

Second-row seats get more fore-and-aft travel. And cargo space is plentiful, including a class-best 78.3 cubic feet with all seats folded, topping even the cavernous Honda CR-V at 75.8. There are 33.5 cubic feet behind the second row (and 11.7 behind the small third row), which trails the Honda’s 39.2 but is on par with the class. Additionally, the Outlander’s second-row folding seats are split 40/20/40, while the third row gets an even 50/50 split. That allows longer a variety of ways to divvy space between people and gear.

A more apt comparison might be the Volkwagen Tiguan, however, which is the only popular-brand alternative of similar size to offer a third row. The Tiguan Also, the Volkswagen Tiguan is the only popular-brand alternative to offer a third row, and so equipped it maxes out at 67.7 cubic-feet. Since third row space is likely to be a major consideration for Outlander buyers, it’s worth noting that the Mitsubishi has almost ten inches less rear legroom than the VW, but both of these way-back seats are meant for little tykes.

Every Outlander trim from SE-and-up gets a handy 9.0-inch center touchscreen with navigation, wireless charging, XM Satellite radio compatibility and a 24-month trial of Mitsubishi Connect safety and remote services. 

A new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine brings an even 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. That’s managed through a continuously variable automatic transmission. A well-shaped, easy-to-use console shifter works entirely by wire, with no mechanical connection to the transmission itself. Acceleration is average for a small SUV, on par with the Rogue that eases from 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds, using the identical engine and transmission.

The engine isn’t as refined as some competitors, including the turbocharged Honda, with some untoward moaning and grittiness at higher engine speeds, but it gets the job done. Fuel economy is acceptable yet also trails the class leaders, including a 27-mpg combined rating for front-drive models versus 30 mpg for a comparable CR-V or Rogue. (The Rogue’s lighter weight, minus the Mitsu’s third row of seats, likely explains much of the difference). 

The Outlander’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) does sap the driving fun, despite its eight programmed “gears” that try to mimic the stepped speeds of a conventional automatic. This machine tends to prefer a gentle foot and steady hand: The ride is suburb-friendly, and the body stays nicely flat in corners, though there’s some harshness on rougher pavement, likely due in part to those big 20-inch wheels. 

With so many bigger-name SUVs to choose from, the new Outlander needed every edge it could muster. For people who focus on real estate first, the Mitsubishi’s seven seats and spacious interior could help tilt the balance. And for people who enjoy confounding the neighbors, the Outlander’s wild-card style won’t hurt a bit.