Vehicle Tested
| 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE
Base Price: $21,695
At-Tested Price: $22,475
Built in Japan.
Options
None
Engine: 2.0-liter I4
Transmission: CVT Automatic
Drive Wheels: Front-Wheel Drive
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Asian automaker Mitsubishi added a second crossover SUV to its fleet this past winter. Called the Outlander Sport, the new crossover shares engine and chassis components with the compact Lancer and is smaller and less expensive than the larger Outlander. It competes with vehicles like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan.
Outlander Sport comes only as a four-door wagon and seats five on twin front bucket seats and a three-place split-folding rear bench seat. Two trim levels are offered, ES and SE. Both come with front-wheel drive. Available on the SE is an all-wheel drive system that does not include low-range gearing but does have three modes: automatic, front-drive and locked 50/50 power split.
Sole engine is a 148-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Standard transmission on the ES is a five-speed manual with a hill-holder clutch. Optional on that model and standard on the SE is a continuously variable automatic. Included with the automatic are steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters that help the transmission mimic the operation of a conventional automatic if necessary.
Standard safety features include antilock four-wheel disc brakes, front-seat active head restraints, tire-pressure monitor and dual-front, front-side and curtain side airbags. Also included is a driver-knee airbag. A rear-view camera is part of the optional navigation system on the all-wheel-drive SE. Park assist is not offered.
The ES lists for $18,495 and includes air conditioning, interior air filter, tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, cruise control, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with USB port, Bluetooth cell-phone connection, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic-off headlights, theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass and 215/70R16 tires. Opting for the automatic transmission will add $100 to the sticker price.
The front-drive SE lists for $21,695. It adds to the ES automatic climate control, keyless access and starting, rain-sensing wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, trunk pass-through, automatic HID headlights, fog lights, 225/55R18 tires and alloy wheels. Selecting AWD will add $1300 to the price but also brings along heated front seats.
Options include fixed glass roof panel, Rockford Fosgate audio system with six-disc changer, satellite radio, rear spoiler, cargo cover and remote engine start. Available as a package on the SE AWD is a navigation system with real-time traffic information and a music hard drive. The Outlander Sport has a $780 destination charge and is currently manufactured in Japan. Mitsubishi recently announced that Outlander Sport production would be moving to the automaker’s Normal, Illinois assembly plant in time for the 2014 model year.
Get Up and Go While some competitors offer larger fours and even V6 engines, Mitsubishi saddled the Outlander Sport with a conservatively rated but fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine. That said, the 2.0-liter four provides class appropriate acceleration and nothing more.
When mated to the automatic, the engine will push the Outlander Sport from 0-60 mph in about 9 seconds. That’s nowhere near the top of the class, but adequate for most uses. Passing power isn’t very impressive either, requiring driver’s to take extra care when merging on to expressways.
The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) requires some getting used to, but works beautifully to keep the engine operating as efficiently as possible. Stab the throttle and the engine groans up to speed and maintains a set RPM while vehicle speed steadily increases. Those wanting the feel of a traditional automatic can pull the paddle shifters that force the transmission to emulate the set gear ratios of a traditional automatic.
As you might expect, fuel economy ratings for this compact crossover are quite impressive. The Outlander Sport is EPA rated at 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway when equipped with the CVT. Those numbers are slightly better than class average and the Sport uses regular-grade gasoline.
Real-world fuel economy is even more impressive. If your commute includes lots of gentile highway cruising you might be able to average close to 30 mpg. If you are stuck slogging city streets all the time, expect economy drop into the mid- to-low 20s.
On the Road Small crossovers ride considerably softer than traditional small SUVs. That said, the Outlander Sport rides more firmly than most of its competition. The firm suspension does a good job of softening hard impacts, but nearly every expansion joint and tar strip is felt. On long highway trips on concrete expressways, this nervousness grows tiring.
Conversely, the Outlander Sport is actually quite fun to drive. Sure it’s still a compact wagon, but once up to speed the steering, taut suspension and responsive brakes work together to give it athletic moves that are unmatched by most competitors. Unfortunately, the steering is mostly numb around town and doesn’t track smoothly in steady-state highway driving.
Though generally quiet when cruising, Outlander Sport’s engine groans unflatteringly in gentile acceleration. Tire and wind noise are also a problem at speed.
Behind the Wheel Designers game the Outlander Sport a modern and thoughtful interior that’s more about functionality than it is about looks. Still, there’s a surprising number of soft-touch or padded surfaces and the available LED lighting and glass roof panel spice things up a bit.
Large, easy-to-read dial gauges face the driver from behind the steering wheel. As is the case on so many cars these days, the speedometer and tachometer are split by an digital information screen. In the case of the Outlander Sport, it’s actually pretty useful and easy to control. Audio controls are placed high on the center stack, but climate controls are considerably lower and some are hard to reach or find at night. Opting for the optional navigation system means you get jumbled audio controls, though it’s nice to see real-time traffic information at this price point.
The front seats offer plenty of leg room, but opting for the available glass roof cuts into headroom so taller drivers will want to avoid that option. Seats are generally supportive but lack sufficient bolstering for long-haul comfort. Outward visibility is good forward, but blocked to the rear by thick roof pillars.
Rear-seat passengers will find above-average comfort and room. Though not limousine-like, there’s plenty of leg and head room and seating three across is quite possible thanks to a low floor hump.
Outlander Sport has decent cargo space in back, but cant match more traditional SUVs like the CR-V or RAV4 for overall space. Flipping down the rear seats creates an uneven load floor that will catch items as you slide them in and out. Interior storage is adequate and no more.
Bottom Line Outlander Sport presents quite the conundrum. Its tidy package is a boon that limits its ultimate usefulness. The economical engine provides lackluster performance. The sporty handling comes with the penalty of a stiff ride.
Interestingly, it’s this mix of pluses and minuses that make Outlander Sport appealing. It doesn’t try to be every vehicle to every buyer. It has a very specific goal and that makes is attractive to the right buyer. Throw in very attractive pricing and the Outlander Sport becomes a good value to boot!
Specifications 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE
| Dimensions
| 4-door wagon
| Engine
| DOHC I4
| Wheelbase, in.
| 105.1
| Size, liters/cu. in.
| 2.0 / 122
| Length, in.
| 169.1 | Horsepower @ rpm
| 148 @ 6000
| Width, in.
| 69.7
| Torque (lb.-ft.) @ rpm
| 145 @ 4200
| Height, in.
| 64.2
| Transmission
| CVT Automatic
| Weight, lbs.
| 3120
| EPA Estimates, mpg
| 25 city / 31 highway
| Cargo Capacity, cu. ft.
| 49.5 |
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| Fuel Capacity, gals.
| 16.6
| Manufacturer's Warranty
| Seating Capacity
| 5
| Bumper-to-Bumper
| 5 years / 60,000 miles
| Front Head Room, in.
| 39.4
| Powertrain
| 10 years / 100,000 miles
| Front Leg Room, in.
| 41.6
| Corrosion
| 7 years / 100,000 miles
| Second-Row Head Room, in.
| 37.9
| Free Roadside Assistance
| 5 years / Unlimited miles
| Second-Row Leg Room, in.
| 36.3
| Free Scheduled Maintenance
| None
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