Mitsubishi Outlander Car Review

FamilyCar Rating: Model Reviewed: Outlander VRX 6 speed automatic $43,490 Other models priced from: LS manual 2.4 litre 5 seater $31,490* HerCar 3 Word Summary: Stylish Functional Car

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Review

The new Mitsubishi Outlander has come a long way since its early days. It’s better looking for a start, not so boxy; more like an elevated car than an SUV gone wrong. The quality of the interior is also markedly improved, with stylish finishes and attention to detail throughout. You’ve got 7 Outlanders to choose from, with either a 2.4 litre or 3.0 litre engine. You’ve also got a choice of 5 or 7 seats in most cases. The Outlander has good off road ability as you can choose to drive it in 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive mode. The model reviewed is the VRX 5 seater 3.0 litre automatic.

Driver Comfort & Visibility

The Outlander has great all around visibility for both the driver and passengers. The driver’s seat is manually adjustable, as is the steering wheel, to help you get a good, safe driving position. The dash is stylish and not overly complicated with all instruments in easy reach and easily read. For added convenience and safety, the audio and cruise controls are mounted on the steering wheel. Access into the car is easy with remote central locking.

Safety

The Outlander VRX has plenty of standard safety features including front passenger and driver front and side airbags, and curtain airbags. There’s also ABS with Brake Assist, Electronic Brake force Distribution, Traction Control and Active Stability Control. Reverse parking is facilitated by reverse parking sensors. A rear view camera is available in conjunction with the Satellite Navigation System as an added option on the VRX Luxury model only.

Comfort

Climate control air conditioning is standard as is a 6 disc CD player with MP3 compatibility. It has a great sound system with 9 speakers. There are 2 x 12 volt sockets located in the centre console box and front centre console.

Seating

The model driven seats 5 people, but you can opt for the 7 seater. The rear seat is 60/40 split fold, allowing for longer luggage to be carried in the boot. There’s good head space and leg room in the front and rear, and a reasonable amount of shoulder room with 3 adult passengers in the rear.

Storage

There’s a great amount of storage including a double glove box, sunglasses holder, deep centre console box, small centre trays, a big in-dash storage container pocket on the rear of the passenger seat, good sized door pockets in the front and smaller door pockets in the rear. There are plenty of drink holders with 6 in the front (2 bottle holders on either side door) and 4 in the rear. The boot space is a good size and there is under floor storage in the 5 seater.

Kids’ Comfort and Safety

There are 3 child restraint anchor points and child locks on the rear doors. Two child seats fit into the back with ease, but leave little room for a centre passenger when they are fitted. There are small door pockets for games and small treasures and a centre armrest with 2 drink holders.

Green Factor

The Outlander VRX has a 3.5 star Green Vehicle Guide Rating which is OK. It consumes around 10.9 litres per 100kms, combined cycle. Around the city, this could be up to 14 litres per 100kms.

Overall View

The Outlander VRX is a very practical family car that has a good amount of power and offers a good list of standard features, particularly when it comes to safety. So whether you’re carting around the kids, sports gear, dogs or just your buddies, the VRX has a lot to offer. It also has one of the best new car warranties: 5 year/130,000km with 5 years roadside assistance.

Test Drive Tips

• You don’t put the keys into the ignition; you simply need them in the car with you. On the right hand side of the steering column, there is a black square knob that you turn clockwise.
  

• The VRX has silver “paddles” located on the right and left hand side of the steering wheel. You can use these to change gears, similar to a Tiptronic style transmission.
  

Features of Model Reviewed

Airbags:	Driver and front passenger front and side airbags, curtain airbags
Seats:	5
ABS:	Yes, with Brake Assist
EBD:	Yes
ESP:	Yes, Active Stability Program
Driver visibility:
Storage compartments:
Drink holders:	10
CD player:	Yes, 6 disc CD with MP3
Air conditioning:	Yes, climate control
Power windows:	Yes
Power steering:	Yes
Power door mirrors:	Yes
Child restraint anchorage points:	3
Transmission:	6 speed auto
Engine capacity:	3.0 litre
Fuel type:	Petrol
Fuel consumption:	10.9 litres/100kms
Greenhouse rating#:	5/10
Green Vehicle Guide rating:
Warranty:	5 year/130,000km, with 5 years roadside assistance
Price:	$43,490

 

* Excludes on road costs
# All new vehicles sold in Australia (up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass) are tested to determine the level of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (Greenhouse rating), which are displayed on the fuel consumption label attached to the windscreen of the car. The Green Vehicle Guide rating combines the Greenhouse Rating and Air Pollution Rating and awards a star. 5 stars is the best rating.  For more information, click here.
Information is correct at the time of the review. Please check with your local Mitsubishi dealer for the most recent information.