Mitsubishi’s new Outlander SUV – more expensive but very highly equipped

Driving Mitsubishi’s new seven-seat Outlander SUV launched recently with great fanfare, bolder looking to the popular model it replaced. Four front drive and five all-wheel drive variants, with a choice of four grades. More expensive but Mitsubishi claim it’s the best equipped vehicle they’ve ever sold.
All feature a new 2.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder engine and new generation CVT automatic with 8 stepped manual ratios. One would imagine a non-turbo engine would struggle in a 1,760 kilo SUV, far from it, the performance and drive experience very satisfying, smooth refined and fuel efficient. I drove the Exceed all-wheel drive at $47,990 loaded with luxury and managed an impressive 8.2 L/100 with a lot of high-speed motorway cruising in the drive mix.
Driver comfort a hall mark in a quality interior with superb instrumentation and connectivity. A great balance between ride comfort and handling with nicely weighted steering. Mitsubishi’s motor sport derived four-wheel drive system impresses with six selectable drive modes plus there’s an absolute stack of active safety elements plus an impressive all-round camera system.
Biggest disappointment, third-row seats, child sized with no legroom and its best as a roomy five-seater. Warranty – 10 years/200,000k’s if serviced by a dealer. Service costs every 12 months or 15,000k’s – $199 each for the first five years.
I’m David Berthon.
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