Used 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

While Mitsubishi’s 2018 Outlander Sport compact-crossover SUV might not be as popular as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Crosstrek, it does represent a very good value. Affordable, nicely equipped and solidly constructed, the 2018 Outlander Sport gives buyers a shot at driving something a bit less commonplace without risking worry about long-term reliability. Upper-level trims offer such amenities as a Rockford Fosgate audio system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also Mitsubishi’s advanced all-wheel-drive system, dubbed All-Wheel Control (AWC), that offers an added measure of security in snowy climates. However, where many competitors offer such driver assists as collision mitigation, lane-departure warning and high-beam assist as standard equipment, Mitsubishi only offers them as options on the most expensive trim.

The 2018 Outlander Sport may have a new face and features, but deep down it is still the same vehicle that debuted back in 2011. That’s a problem as most of its primary competitors now run on much more modern platforms with more advanced features. That said, the public seems to be okay with “old” because the Outlander Sport is Mitsubishi’s best-selling model. The reason has to do with packaging. In the Outlander Sport, you’ll get a stylish, comfortable compact SUV offering a wide range of trims, engines and options. There’s even a 5-speed manual transmission on the base front-wheel-drive model. And while its driving characteristics and fuel economy fall short of the Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage, the Outlander Sport is a very stable vehicle made even better by Mitsubishi’s advanced all-wheel-drive system. We think the best powertrain is the 168-horsepower, 2.4-liter engine offered on the SE and SEL trims.

The 2018 Outlander Sport gets a new center-console design with more padding to protect your knees. A new 7-inch touch screen graces ES trims, while SE and SEL models get a 7-inch smartphone-link display. The light-gray interior color option helps brighten up what can usually be a somber black interior at this price. Comfortable front seats are supportive over a long drive, but the rear seats will make 6-footers feel cramped. Behind the second row is a pretty small cargo area, offering just 20 cubic feet of space, although it opens up considerably when you fold down the rear seatbacks.

The 2018 Outlander Sport gets a revised front and rear bumper design with new LED running lights and new accent pieces. It’s an aggressive design that looks good here. The rest of the vehicle has remained largely unchanged over the years, with the exception of molding around the wheelwells. The proportions are spot-on, and the compact size — it’s about eight inches shorter than a CR-V — makes it easy to maneuver around tight urban parking lots. An optionally available roof rack can carry larger items that won’t fit inside.

ROCKFORD FOSGATE AUDIO SYSTEM
Available on the SEL grade, the optional 710-watt, 9-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system is a music lover’s dream come true. A separate subwoofer provides plenty of bass, and the system can be teamed with a 40-gigabyte hard drive for added music storage.

GREAT WARRANTY
Like Kia and Hyundai, Mitsubishi offers a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty on every Outlander Sport, meaning you will have your car paid off or maybe even traded in before the warranty expires.

The base Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ES offers some solid features for its roughly $21,250 price, including leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, LED taillights, automatic climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, steering-wheel-mounted cruise control and audio buttons, a 4-speaker/140-watt AM/FM/CD system with 7-inch touch screen and rearview camera. A multicolor information display reads out fuel consumption, outside temperature and other data. Safety systems include hill-start assist, stability control and seven standard airbags, plus a driver’s-side knee airbag. Mitsubishi vehicles also come with a new-car warranty that includes 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain.

Skip the base 2.0-liter engine and get the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, which offers more power and torque with only a minor penalty in fuel economy. Otherwise, features get added as you work up the trim ladder. The SE model adds fog lights, push-button ignition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the SEL takes that and adds leather seating, HID headlights and power-folding side-view mirrors. The SEL Touring package adds a panoramic glass roof, Rockford Fosgate audio system, lane-departure warning, forward-collision mitigation and auto high beams. All-wheel drive is available on all models. 

The base engine in the 2018 Outlander Sport is a forgettable 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with only 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a 5-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission, but it’s overwhelmed by this little SUV, which comes in front- or all-wheel drive (FWD, AWD). Instead, get the available 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. At 168 horsepower it’s no powerhouse, but it doesn’t have to work as hard to get the Outlander Sport moving, so it’s quieter as well as offering more punch. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is the only option, but it mimics a standard transmission with "shift" points, and it was smooth enough. An AWD system is available on all models, offering peace of mind for slippery-road conditions.

2.0-liter inline-4 (ES, LE)
148 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
145 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/29 mpg (manual), 24/30 mpg (automatic, FWD), 23/29 mpg (automatic, AWD)

2.4-liter inline-4 (SE, SEL)
168 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
167 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/28 mpg (FWD), 22/27 mpg (AWD)