The Mitsubishi Outlander's silhouette gives the appearance of forward motion, with a roof that peaks directly above the driver's head and slopes to the rear.
The importance of the Outlander to Mitsubishi goes beyond this specific vehicle—Outlander is the first of several vehicles from the Japanese automaker to be built on the company's new C-segment platform. Following closely behind the Outlander will be the all-new Lancer, with the powerful new Lancer Evolution arriving shortly after that.
Outlander comes to market as demand for SUVs is shifting to crossover vehicles—meaning those that are more car-like in driving characteristics while still providing the utility consumers want from an SUV. And there are plenty of new competitors in this segment coming to market this year.
However, Outlander has styling, handling and performance that should allow it to hold its own in this very competitive market.
New Design
While there's something to be said for an automaker to possess a unique style that differentiates their brand, previous Mitsubishi vehicles that have made the attempt to be different have not been widely accepted. The outgoing Outlander had this fate.
The new Outlander, however, is quite stylish, with sleek lines and a sporty look. According the automaker this represents a new design direction, emphasizing the company's performance roots. The bold look features a 'diamond cut' front end and pronounced fender flares. LED taillights and the shape of the rear glass in the tailgate give the Outlander a distinctive look.
The new Outlander is considerably larger and more powerful than the model it replaces. Longer, wider and taller, it features a wider track that not only increases interior space but also adds vehicle stability.
The silhouette of the Outlander gives the appearance of forward motion, with lines angling down towards the front while the roofline peaks over the driver and slopes downward towards the rear.
The main goal of the styling, according to Mitsubishi, is to "evoke the athleticism of a sport sedan and the sophistication of a premium SUV."
Useful Interior
Inside, the styling matches the exterior with a sporty emphasis. The front bucket seats are quite comfortable; however, we didn't get a chance to spend an extended amount of time behind the wheel. Driving position offers good visibility and the gauges are easy to read.
The rear seat can be slid forward or backward, providing more legroom for the optional third row if necessary. Even when the rear seat is in the forward position, legroom is adequate. Rear seat is split 60/40 and each side can independently recline.
Access to the third row is easy, with the second row folding quickly with one-hand operation. The third-row seat seems like an afterthought and does not feel terribly substantial. However, as an additional seat for kids, it will work in a pinch.
In the early-production model we drove, the third row was very complicated to unfold or stow, but when stowed it left a flat-floor cargo space. Models without the third-row seat get an under-floor storage area instead.
Cargo space has been significantly improved over the outgoing model, both in quantity and in access. A total of 39 cubic feet of usable space can be found behind the second row of seats, with almost 15 cubic feet behind the third row.
The rear hatch features a tailgate built into the bumper, which not only provides an easy loading space but also a flat surface for tailgating activities; it can hold up to 440 pounds. A similar design can be found on higher-end SUVs such as the Volvo XC90 and BMW X5.
New Powertrain/Chassis
Under the hood of the 2007 Outlander sits an all-new 3.0-liter SOHC V6 engine that produces 220 horsepower. Outlanders for California will be rated as a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) with an output of 213 horsepower. Torque peaks at 204 lb-ft with 90 percent coming at just 2000 rpm. The broad torque curve is largely a result of the Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing and lift Electronic Control (MIVEC)—a variable valve timing and lift system—and a two-stage variable intake manifold.
With extensive use of aluminum, the new V6 engine is only 13.2 lbs heavier than the four-cylinder engine that powered the outgoing Outlander.
The new engine is teamed with a new 6-speed automatic transmission that can be manually shifted via the floor shifter or, on the XLS, via steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Although the new Outlander is considerably larger and more powerful than its predecessor, because of advances in engine and transmission technology fuel economy remains virtually unchanged with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg on the highway for 2WD versions. Four-wheel-drive trims are estimated to only give up one mpg.
Front-wheel drive is standard on all Outlanders, and while the base-level ES has no other option, the LS and XLS trims are available with Mitsubishi's high-tech All-Wheel Control (AWC) system. AWC combines an electronic 4-wheel-drive system with Active Skid and Traction Control (ASTC) and a tuned suspension. In an effort to provide better handling, the roof is now made from aluminum to lower the center of gravity.
Driving
We had a chance to drive both 2WD and 4WD prototype Outlanders on a test track in Japan. The new SUV has adequate power, and in our short time behind the wheel we felt it handled very well for an SUV. Transmission shifts were quick and smooth, even when shifting manually with the paddle shifters, and acceleration felt strong.
Stability control was effective without being intrusive, keeping the Outlander in complete control when simulating an emergency lane change. In pushing its limits there were no surprises or suddenly exceeding the limits—a lot of tire squeal in fast turns without any loss of traction or feel of impending roll. In fact, the Outlander did not seem to have much body roll at all.
Steering feel varied from one vehicle to another, likely due to pre-production status. Steering in the XLS 2WD seemed to be the best—very crisp and responsive. Four-wheel-drive trims felt a bit heavier, both in acceleration and handling. The Outlander felt quite stable, even at speeds approaching 100 mph.
All in all, Mitsubishi did attain its goal of creating a sporty driving feel for the Outlander.
"The 2007 Outlander draws on the strong Mitsubishi performance heritage and its 'Driven-to-Thrill' mandate to give the compact SUV customer a new level of driving enjoyment," said Dan Sims, general manager of Mitsubishi's R&D America Design Center. "Even more than its impressive list of performance features might suggest, the 2007 Outlander is a supremely well-balanced package."
Upscale Features
With the idea of differentiating Outlander from its competition, Mitsubishi makes the new SUV available with a number of features typically reserved for vehicles in a higher price range.
One of the most notable features is a hard-drive-based navigation system rather than the common DVD-based system. Not only does this provide much faster access and zooming on the map display, but the hard drive also operates with the sound system.
Six gigabytes of hard drive space are reserved for use as a music server. This means that occupants can upload music files to the vehicle just as they would to their MP3 player, with as much as 100 hours of playback time available.
Navigation and other functions display on a large 7-inch monitor. On vehicles equipped with the optional Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) system, the screen can display DVD video, as long as the vehicle's transmission is in park.
Outlander can also be equipped with a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system that has been custom-tuned specifically for the new SUV. This system uses an 8-channel amplifier to pump music through nine speakers, including a 10-inch subwoofer installed in the cargo area. We had a chance to experience this sound system and were suitably impressed.
Other features includes a keyless entry and start called FAST (Freehand Advanced Security Transmitter)-Key. The person with the key in their possession just grabs the door handle and the door unlocks. The rear hatch operates in the same way. Once inside, the driver just turns the ignition knob on the steering column. The key never has to come out of pocket or purse.
The new Outlander is also available with Bluetooth technology, connecting with Bluetooth-capable cell phones for hands-free use.
Mitsubishi says safety is a priority in the new Outlander, with standard front and side airbags as well as standard side-curtain airbags. An anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and a tire-pressure-monitoring system are also standard.
Availability
Outlander will be available in ES, LS and XLS trim.
The ES features Active Skid and Traction Control (ASTC), AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 capability and six speakers, air conditioning, power windows and door locks, keyless entry and cruise control.
The LS adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, additional 12-volt accessory outlets, roof rails, rear privacy glass and available all-wheel drive.
The top-of-the-line XLS features 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, FAST-Key entry system, fog lights, Bluetooth, magnesium shift paddles and a third-row seat.
Outlander arrives in showrooms this fall.
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