Photo: Benjamin Yong, Canadian Auto Press |
I got an opportunity to drive the Outlander when it was first launched on our shores in June and was glad to see the trapezoidal front end replaced by a subtle grille, integrated into widened and squared off headlights with a more standard separated bumper intake underneath. The sides of the car have been both smoothed and sharpened to help it cut through wind-resistance to the tune of a seven-percent reduction in drag, says Mitsubishi. In the back, the tri-diamond manufacturer has brought back the clear and red taillight housings popularized by the Toyota Altezza (Lexus IS 300) of old.
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Photo: Benjamin Yong, Canadian Auto Press |
The gated shift lever is easy to operate and makes the automatic transmission just a little more fun. The perforated leather seats are supportive and comfortable and seating position is spot on with lots of visibility on all sides. From its fairly compact form factor, it’s hard to believe Mitsubishi was able to cram in a third row – but look at the legroom, or lack thereof, in the back (716 millimetres compared to
Photo: Benjamin Yong, Canadian Auto Press |
If you fold both rows behind the front seats flat you will get a lot of room to stow cargo, exactly 1,792 litres worth. Doing so for the first time can take a while, though, because it’s not the most intuitive process. Unlike some systems where you simply pull a latch to slide and fold, in the Outlander you first have to lift up the bottom seat cushion to reveal a lever on the side. Flick the lever forward to allow the seatbacks to lay flat, then pull a latch located next to the headrests – which you have to remove – and push forward. It might take you a few attempts.
In a time when V6s in the market appear to be quickly diminishing, it’s good of Mitsu to offer a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine as an option. Reworked from the previous
Photo: Benjamin Yong, Canadian Auto Press |
A new Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) setup has been introduced that gives four different settings: an Eco mode that shifts between two- and four-wheel drive to maximize efficiency, plus Normal, Snow and a Lock mode for maximum traction. The Outlander provided a chance to sample safety features early on that are now pretty much industry standard, like adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning, although the backup camera lacks a dynamic mode and parking sensors.
Photo: Mitsubishi |
Our GT had a base sticker price of $35,998, plus $2,730 for the navigation package), which is fair given all the features included that are normally only found on vehicles with much higher price tags. Fuel economy is great, as is the 10-year powertrain warranty, but performance numbers and luxury aren’t, as reflected by its price, which may or may not be an issue for potential buyers.
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