Mitsubishi Outlander Sport test drive
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-HOW IT LOOKS.
The Outlander Sport isn’t the best looking car around.
It does have some cute proportions, so it could look much better than it does.
There are just too many lines everywhere. Especially in the back.
It is one of these cars that seems to have had about 28 designers working on it.
I must say, I did get some curious looks. Maybe because there aren’t that many around. But I do think there is a weird “cuteness” to the proportions that appeal to some.
-HOW IT IS INSIDE.
The interior is about as generic as the exterior. But in a much simpler way.
Things look fine. Although quite boring.
Nothing like the modern and original personality if the Nissan Juke’s interior. Which I really like.
The optional Rockford-Fosgate 710 watt stereo sounded really good. But he USB plug wasn’t working in my test car.
Which was quite annoying…
So I had to uses the Stereo Bluetooth to listen to my iPod. And that would cut off pretty often. Even more annoying…
In general, the stereo menus are pretty unintuitive. Which can be quite another source of frustration.
The seats are covered in a rather cheap looking cloth. But it seems durable. And they were heated .
The best part of the interior is the amazing Panoramic roof option which comes part of the $1800 premium package (Which includes the upgraded stereo as well)
It is quite something.
Plastics are generally OK, except for the super cheap turn signal.
Doors feel and sound a bit more solid that it’s big brother, the Outlander.
-HOW IT DRIVES.
-Ride/Steering.
The ride is generally very smooth. This isn’t a sporty car. Which is fine .
The steering feels good and accurate. Not as light as some other modern cars.
-Engine/transmission.
My test car had the CTV transmission, matched with the 2.0 Liter engine with 148hp.
CTVs can be really bad, in most cases, or great. Like in most Nissan cars.
This is not one of the great one.
But not the worse I’ve driven either.
You just have to get used to push on the accelerator more than usual.
And then, it does go . Not very fast, but fast enough for most uses.
The engine is one of these that is 100% quiet at idle and while cruising, but gets quite loud when pushed, even just a little bit.
Which you need to do quite often with the CVT.
The AWD version I was driving is rated at 24/29 MPG.
I got about 22 in the city. And about 29HWY.
Fine, but not great…
-SO???
Not really sure if I would recommend the Outlander Sport.
It is anything but “sporty”. So in this case, “Sport” just means “Smaller than the regular Outlander”.
Mileage isn’t that great either. I got 27/32 in the more powerful Nissan Juke.
My test car was priced at $28 570 . Including Premium Package, Navigation and Exterior Sport packages.
Not cheap at all.
A loaded Juke is about $23 000.
There is nothing really wrong with the Outlander Sport, except some might hate the CVT.
But it is no competition to the Nissan Juke. Which is about the same size, and costs much less while having more power and better gas mileage.
The Nissan’s engine is also smoother. Although in that case, you have to deal with terrible turbo lag….
So, nothing is perfect….
They made it too cute and too cheap looking
Time for them to see what KIA, Hyundai and Subaru are doing right and copy.Mitsubishi is well regarded world wide but they do need some tweaking and upgrading and some lower cost would help also.
Kia Sportage SX Turbo
I think the proportions are right for the times, even if the mileage isn't anything special. Most people will buy based upon a quick visual: they like it or not and decide from there. Case in point – so many Toyotas bought by secretaries out there who don't care how it drives. So, Mitsu made it look like the family's Lancer/Evo. But they should have made the interior a bit more visually stimulating and aimed it at 30yo women if they want to succeed like Toyota and Honda. I never see a men driving CRV's round these parts. Tho I'd be happy if they made an Evo equivalent of this.
Funny, I test drove one few days ago here in Denver CO.
Looks OK, engine have no power, specially passing someone in the hwy.
The big sunroof doesn't open, small trunk.
The radio on the one I drove sounded OK.
Just install a freacking V6 engine for God sake.
They done the same with the Honda Element/CRV, just give us the option please. You'll get great gas mileage too.
I loveeed the Acura RDX(Nice turbo).
Like other Mitsubishi products, this one is unexceptional in many ways. It is a big wonder how Mitsubishi has survived in the US car market for so long with such mediocre product
My partner and I just bought one after driving all the competition. It is better than anything else we've see.
We even drove a BMW X3 that was not as good at all as the Outlander Sport.
The engine is smooth and the CVT works perfectly.
"My partner and I just bought one after driving all the competition. It is better than anything else we've see.
We even drove a BMW X3 that was not as good at all as the Outlander Sport.
The engine is smooth and the CVT works perfectly.
June 3, 2011 1:20 PM"
Please tell me you test drove the Sportage and Tuscon!
Who in their right mind would pay $28,000 for THIS?! I would expect a top of the line Outlander (regular) to reach that with all the bells and whistles and curbside service, but certainly not this. Hell, I'd even get the new CR-V over this and I don't even know how ugly they've made it yet!
wow nice content and comment.
"Anonymous said…
My partner and I just bought one after driving all the competition. It is better than anything else we've see.
We even drove a BMW X3 that was not as good at all as the Outlander Sport.
The engine is smooth and the CVT works perfectly.
June 3, 2011 1:20 PM"
Either you are lying or you know absolutely NOTHING about how a vehicle performs, what touchpoints are, and how to perceive material quality. There is honestly 0 comparison between this and the BMW.
Mitsubishi is garbage with some of the worst residuals in the entire automotive industry. Their future in the US is unsure, and you purchased one of their products.
Like they say, a fool and his money are soon parted.
T0: June 3, 2011 4:06 PM
Seriously man? You even get the CR-V like it is a bad thing? The CR-V is at the top of its class as proven by its sales being #1 selling SUV in the US for going on six years in a row. You can't go wrong with a CR-V.
I sat in one and was just blown away about how bland, dated and black black black the interior was. With so many more exciting choices… what was Mitsubishi thinking?
Not so. Juke feels better because it's a smaller, lighter car. Outlander Sport competes with Nissan's Qashkai (and yet has a usable back seat). Mitsu does not have Juke sized model which is a sub-compact with the platform comparable to SX4, Fit, Accent, Fiesta etc.