Review - The new Mitsubishi Outlander - a great-looking SUV
http://www.cars4women.co.za/articles/78/1/Review---The-new-Mitsubishi-Outlander---a-great-looking-SUV/Page1.html
Heléne Griffiths
Heléne started her motoring career in the late '70s as a rally driver and worked for two years as Radio Jacaranda's motoring and motorsport announcer in Pretoria. She was one of the first female members to join the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists and has for 21 years been a member of the jury that selects the South African Car of the Year ......more
By Heléne Griffiths
Published on 07/27/2007
After a visit to a Mitsubishi dealer I am more than convinced that I would make a great Outlander salesperson as this SUV that was launched in April this year is a stunner!
After a visit to a Mitsubishi dealer I am more than convinced that I would make a great Outlander salesperson as this SUV that was launched in April this year is a stunner!
Review - The new Mitsubishi Outlander - a great-looking SUV
After a visit to a Mitsubishi dealer I am more than convinced that I would make a great Outlander salesperson as this SUV that was launched in April this year is a stunner!
We have had a request from one of our readers to do a review on the Mitsubishi Outlander. Unfortunately none of us have had it as a test vehicle yet. The minute our SUV and 4x4 expert, Peta Lee, has tested it we will have another report. But this is what I can tell you for now...
Talking about design - the Outlander is, in my opinion, an eye-catching compact SUV. I like the muscular, sporty stance, especially with its powerfully-flared wheelarches and five-spoke alloy wheels. One can also see that some of its styling cues come from its stablemate, the Pajero, especially in the front.
The headlight clusters flanking the grille extend into the fenders so the indicators are visible from the front and sides.
The Outlander’s back bumper is divided into three sections and the inner one is attached to the tailgate so that when it is hinged opened, it reveals a very low sill, especially so designed to match the low boot floor. This has been made possible by using a spacesaver spare wheel and a compact rear suspension design. I also quite liked the third brakelight atop the full-width rear window.
With its 1.8 metre body the Outlander is a roomy five-seater. This SUV also offers various cargo combinations - the rear seats - both the cushion and backrest - are split 60/40 and can be used completely independently. This extends to separate sliding and fold/tumble functions. The wider portion of the rear seat incorporates an armrest which folds down to reveal dual cupholders.
The safety feature list includes four airbags, the front seatbelts are aided by pre-tensioners and load limiters and the three restraints in the back are all of the 3-point type. Isofix attachment points are fitted for the use of compatible child seats.
Stopping is aided by anti-lock braking (ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD). The Outlander also features active stability control (ASC) that incorporates a traction control system, limiting wheelspin during fast starts.
The key to the Outlander’s drive train is the electronically controlled four wheel drive system which continually optimally distributes engine torque between the front and rear wheels, according to the needs of the moment.
The Outlander’s CVT transmission gives the driver the option to leave it in a conventional Drive setting (auto) or alternatively use it in ‘manual’ mode by shifting the stubby lever to the right and into a sequential gate, in which case it becomes a six-speed semi-automatic. This gives a sportier feel akin to a conventional manual gearbox. The aluminium shift paddle is situated on either side of the steering wheel - the one on the left is for upshifts and the one on the right for downshifts.
Recommended retail price is R299 900 and it comes with a 2-year/100 000km warranty and a 3-year/60 000km maintenance plan.
We have had a request from one of our readers to do a review on the Mitsubishi Outlander. Unfortunately none of us have had it as a test vehicle yet. The minute our SUV and 4x4 expert, Peta Lee, has tested it we will have another report. But this is what I can tell you for now...
All new design and technology
The Outlander is definitely all new - from the new all-aluminium engine block to the aluminium roof and six-speed CVT (constantly variable) transmission. It represents design and technology not seen on the previous generation Outlander.Talking about design - the Outlander is, in my opinion, an eye-catching compact SUV. I like the muscular, sporty stance, especially with its powerfully-flared wheelarches and five-spoke alloy wheels. One can also see that some of its styling cues come from its stablemate, the Pajero, especially in the front.
The headlight clusters flanking the grille extend into the fenders so the indicators are visible from the front and sides.
The Outlander’s back bumper is divided into three sections and the inner one is attached to the tailgate so that when it is hinged opened, it reveals a very low sill, especially so designed to match the low boot floor. This has been made possible by using a spacesaver spare wheel and a compact rear suspension design. I also quite liked the third brakelight atop the full-width rear window.
Sophisticated nine speaker sound system
Car entertainment is via the Rockford Fosgate sound system with a six CD head unit linked to nine speakers. The unit can be ‘staged’ to provide different acoustic effects to accurately reflect different musical genres. Needless to say it can also play MP3s on CD-R discs.With its 1.8 metre body the Outlander is a roomy five-seater. This SUV also offers various cargo combinations - the rear seats - both the cushion and backrest - are split 60/40 and can be used completely independently. This extends to separate sliding and fold/tumble functions. The wider portion of the rear seat incorporates an armrest which folds down to reveal dual cupholders.
 
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Control the temperature of your drinks!
Great features include an electric sunroof with a slide/tilt function, a two-tier glove compartment (the upper level is linked to the climate control system so drinks can be cooled or kept hot), a height adjustable driver’s seat, a tilt mechanism for the steering column and a handy sunglasses case in the roof. All four windows are equipped with one-touch up and down functions. The cherry on top is the fully automated air-conditioner.You don't have to take your eyes off the road
Helping the driver keep more attention focused on the road and less fiddling with knobs and switches whilst driving there are steering wheel controls for the sound system and a legible LED display for the full-function driving computer directly in the driver’s line of sight.The safety feature list includes four airbags, the front seatbelts are aided by pre-tensioners and load limiters and the three restraints in the back are all of the 3-point type. Isofix attachment points are fitted for the use of compatible child seats.
Stopping is aided by anti-lock braking (ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD). The Outlander also features active stability control (ASC) that incorporates a traction control system, limiting wheelspin during fast starts.
The key to the Outlander’s drive train is the electronically controlled four wheel drive system which continually optimally distributes engine torque between the front and rear wheels, according to the needs of the moment.
A multi-functional urban 4X4
Because it is an urban 4x4 and because it is more fuel efficient to drive using two wheel-drive on dry tarmac, a dial on the centre console enables the driver to select two-wheel-drive mode, four-wheel-drive auto mode or four-wheel-drive ‘lock’ mode.The Outlander’s CVT transmission gives the driver the option to leave it in a conventional Drive setting (auto) or alternatively use it in ‘manual’ mode by shifting the stubby lever to the right and into a sequential gate, in which case it becomes a six-speed semi-automatic. This gives a sportier feel akin to a conventional manual gearbox. The aluminium shift paddle is situated on either side of the steering wheel - the one on the left is for upshifts and the one on the right for downshifts.
All this for under R300 000
The Mitsubishi Outlander is powered by a 2.4-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine. This vehicle is designed to meet the needs of the modern motorists and his/her family perfectly!Recommended retail price is R299 900 and it comes with a 2-year/100 000km warranty and a 3-year/60 000km maintenance plan.