First drive: Mitsubishi Outlander
We test the diesel version of the updated seven-seater.
Like a boxer shedding weight in time for a title bout, Mitsubishi has put a leaner Outlander in the ring for one of motoring’s toughest weight divisions - the compact SUV.The top-spec Outlander Aspire has lost 144kg and dropped the option of a 169kw, 291Nm V6 in favour of a frugal 110kW, 360Nm four-cylinder diesel power plant.
Mitsubishi sells the Outlander in three forms; the base ES, mid-range LS and luxury Aspire.
The mid-range, petrol-powered Outlander did not impress judges during testing for Drive’s Car of the Year awards.
It lacked the car-like dynamics flaunted by some of its competitors, with vague steering that gave drivers little confidence in its dynamic abilities.
But the top-spec, diesel-fuelled Aspire version is a better bet, helped by a change from 16-inch wheels to 18-inch items with wider tyres.
The steering still lacks feel, but the Outlander feels more planted on the bigger rubber.
The diesel also substitutes the continuously variable transmission used in petrol-powered Outlanders for a traditional six-speed auto that shifts decisively.
Mitsubishi’s conventional auto is a more pleasant gearbox to use and column-mounted shift paddles give control freaks the opportunity to change gears without taking their hands off the wheel.
Diesel power is the only option if you want the six-speed auto gearbox and the 2.2 litre Outlander feels stronger than petrol-powered versions, though its performance is more adequate than brisk.
The diesel’s main appeal stems from 5.8L/100km fuel economy, a big improvement over the discontinued V6’s 10L/100km drinking habit.
But Mitsubishi’s diesel donk is both thirstier and less powerful than Mazda’s class-leading CX-5 diesel, which uses less fuel (5.7L/100km) to make more grunt. (129 kW and 420 Nm)
The top-spec CX5 GT Diesel with optional tech pack is also $2300 cheaper than the range-topping Outlander Aspire with its premium pack, although the Outlander has seven-seat versatility that few rivals can match.
It has also just been awarded a five-star safety score.
Previous versions of the Outlander have been successful for the brand, and run-out deals in October saw the medium-sized 4WD soar to the top of the SUV sales charts for one month.
The updated car went on sale on November 18, and it’s not yet clear whether Australian buyers have gelled with the Outlander’s new look.
Mitsubishi will have a tough fight on its hands if it wants to consistently beat Nissan, Mazda, Toyota and Subaru in the sales race.
But it’s a bout Outlander has been training for, and the diesel version gives it a more accomplished contender in its corner.
Update
Mitsubishi engineers are investigating Continuously Variable Transmission problems that affected four cars at the Outlander’s launch.
Some testers drove cars that had overheating transmissions, but Drive did not experience those problems.
A Mitsubishi spokeswoman said the cars in question were examined by a technician, and that the vehicles recorded no reports or issues.
The manufacturer has put a top technician on the case.
2024 Ford F-150 XLT SWB review
