Used 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mitsubishi Outlander is totally new for 2022. This compact 3-row crossover SUV now shares a chassis and powertrain with the Nissan Rogue, its corporate cousin from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance

Built in Japan, the new 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander looks arguably great. It’s 0.6 inches longer than the previous model, with a wheelbase that has increased by 1.4 inches. This, together with an extra couple of inches of width, makes for a roomier cabin with an extra inch of legroom front and rear. As before, the Outlander continues to be sold as a 3-row crossover SUV with seven seats.

A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is on duty under the hood, where it sends 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque to the front (or all four) wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight pre-set steps or ratios. A standard drive mode selector lets the Outlander driver tailor this Mitsubishi SUV for varying road conditions. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) Outlander gets five settings (Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, and Snow), while the 4-wheel-drive (4WD) Outlander gets all those plus a Mud mode.

The 2022 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Outlander — reviewed separately — is a carryover of the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander sold exclusively as a PHEV. Look for a PHEV version of this new Outlander to arrive in a year or so.

In addition to its attractive looks, the new Outlander has significantly more advanced driver-assist technology. This is highlighted by Mi-Pilot Assist, which is standard on the SE and above. Mi-Pilot Assist is a suite of technologies that supplements active cruise control with stop and go, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering, and traffic-sign recognition. This semi-autonomous system helps to reduce driver stress on long highway road trips.

As before, Mitsubishi backs its Outlander SUV with an impressive powertrain warranty that lasts for 10 years for 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Competitors for the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander include the Kia Sorento and Volkswagen Tiguan, two other compact 3-row crossover SUVs.

KBB drove a a top-of-the-line SEL version of the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander  with the Touring Package. This is a tight, well-built crossover SUV that benefits from a thick-rimmed steering wheel and a suspension tuned for good ride comfort without being floaty. While the steering and brakes are light-effort, this does not come at the expense of having good feel.

Although the direct-injected 2.5-liter engine, built by Nissan in Japan, puts out only 181 horsepower, the new Outlander feels amply powered. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) goes about its job unobtrusively, aided by eight pre-set “ratios” that are selectable via paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. The Outlander also is quiet and relaxed on the highway, where it returns an impressive 31 mpg (per the EPA).

Double-pane front side glass helps to keep the Outlander interior remarkably quiet, and the driver’s seat is both supportive and plush, aided by the diamond-stitched semi-aniline leather that also graces the interior door panels. The view out of the Outlander windshield is good, although the squared-off hood makes it a bit tough to sense the front of the vehicle in tight situations.

The Outlander SEL’s 12.3-inch digital gauge package is excellent — as clear and easy to read as the large infotainment screen atop the center stack, which profits from actual twist knobs for volume and station.

The knurled metal twist knob on the center console has settings for Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud. Tarmac, for the record, is the Sport setting; when it’s selected, the engine rpm increases, and the Outlander responds more quickly to throttle inputs.

With its solid chassis, luxurious interior, well-tuned suspension, and new technology such as digital gauges and Pilot Assist, the new Outlander may not be all-Mitsubishi, but there’s no denying that it’s a handsome and thoroughly modern crossover SUV with 5+2 seating.

The Outlander is available with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9-inch center screen. Wireless smartphone charging capability with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay is also available. Wireless Android Auto is not available.

In addition to its three rows of seats, all Outlanders have 11 airbags and a host of USB-A and USB-C charge ports, plus multiple storage locations.

The new Outlander dash has a horizontal theme, adding to the feeling of spaciousness, and the center console appears to “float” away from the instrument panel. Stitched high-quality soft padding on the instrument panel and center console adds to occupant comfort and the aura of luxury.

Thoughtful details include illuminated interior door handles and multiple smartphone holders. Moreover, the thick-rimmed Outlander steering wheel and new electronic shifter (a Mitsubishi first) have been contoured to fit comfortably in the driver’s hands.

Top-tier 2022 Mitsubishi Outlanders comes generously equipped. Items such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist are standard. So, too, is a 10.8-inch head-up display, as well as semi-aniline leather seat upholstery, navigation, and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. A powered kick-motion liftgate and a panoramic sunroof also are available.

Five people can fit relatively comfortably in the new Outlander, plus two kids. One adult may be able to sit sideways in the folding third row for a short trip, but not for anything longer.

With the design of this all-new 4th-generation Outlander, Mitsubishi sought to give this compact 7-seat SUV a powerful presence and functionality that pays proper respect to the brand’s proven SUV heritage.

Has Mitsubishi succeeded? We think so. The flat roof looks more SUV than crossover, and the Outlander’s upright nose, which is an evolution of the company’s Dynamic Shield, looks particularly bold.

The daytime running lights and turn signals are situated high on the front, while the headlights are mounted lower and far outboard on the front fascia. The LED headlights consist of three vertically arranged lights, with two low beams at the top and a high beam at the bottom.

Wheel sizes range from 18 to 20 inches, and a high character line just below the Outlander’s prominent beltline makes the body of this new Mitsu SUV look thick and powerful. The rearmost roof pillar, says Mitsubishi, was inspired by the tailfin of a jet.

Mitsubishi says that a hexagonal motif on the new Outlander’s liftgate provides a visual link to an old Montero with an external spare tire around the back. While we have a tough time seeing that, the T-shaped taillights do add a horizontal theme that adds to the new Outlander’s sense of visual stability.

12.3-INCH DIGITAL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
This digital instrument panel, Mitsubishi’s first, is exceptionally clear and easy to read. When different drive modes are selected, a scene-appropriate image of the Outlander appears in full color between the speedometer and tachometer.

MI-PILOT ASSIST
With this driver-assistance system, standard on the SE and above, the active cruise control is supported by active lane-keep assist, lane-centering, and Traffic Sign Recognition, which means the Outlander knows (and will display) the posted speed limit.

At the base ES level, the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander has a cloth interior and 18-inch alloy wheels. The ES also comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot warning, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a pair of front USB ports.

The Outlander SE is much better equipped. Besides 20-inch alloy wheels and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, the SE gets a suede-trimmed interior, heated front seats, a multiview camera, wireless smartphone charging, navigation, rear USB ports, front parking sensors, and Mi-Pilot Assist, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane centering, and Traffic Sign Recognition.

A special Launch Edition model of the Outlander SE adds the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a panoramic sunroof, Bose premium audio, and short subscriptions to Amazon Echo Auto and Amazon Prime Music.

A leather interior is standard on the Outlander SEL, which also has the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a power passenger seat, heated rear seats, roof rails, and 3-zone automatic climate control. A Launch Edition SEL adds a heated steering wheel, semi-aniline interior leather, a 10.8-inch head-up display, and short subscriptions to Amazon Echo Auto (three months) and Amazon Prime Music (six months).

On the base Outlander ES, one of the most popular options will be the Convenience Package. For $1,000, you get 20-inch alloy wheels and Mitsubishi Connect, a cellular-connected platform of safety services like GM’s OnStar.

On the SE, consider the Tech Package. For $2,300, you get the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a Bose premium sound system, and a panoramic sunroof.

You can also order a Touring Package on the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL flagship. For $2,700, you get rich, semi-aniline interior leather, heated steering wheel, 10.8-inch head-up display, Bose sound system, panoramic sunroof, and pull-up sunshades in the rear doors.

The one engine in the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder sending 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque to the front (or all four) wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission. Built by Nissan in Japan, this aluminum-block engine features direct fuel injection and several efforts to reduce internal friction, notably mirrored cylinder bore coatings and a variable-displacement oil pump.

While we’re not big fans of CVTs (they tend to make a vehicle feel sluggish), the one in the new Outlander has an 8-speed Sport mode that allows step-shift control via shift paddles behind the steering wheel. In this mode, the Outlander feels much more responsive, while also being totally smooth and unobtrusive in everyday motoring.

Outlanders with S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) have an electronically controlled 4WD system with a hydraulic clutch in the center coupling. This clutch, which controls power distribution, sends power rearward during aggressive take-offs to reduce front wheelspin and add stability, especially on slippery roads.

2.5-liter inline-4
181 hp @ 6,000 rpm
181 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/31 mpg