IntroductionDecember 2002January 2003February 2003March 2003April 2003May 2003June 2003July 2003August 2003September 2003October 2003Wrap-Up: November 2003
Oh, God, another SUV in the Edmunds.com long-term fleet! Did we fool you? Perhaps you thought we wanted to live out our days in Miatas and BMWs? Hardly. Give us a tall-riding vehicle and we'll be sure to leave the roadster in the garage. All right, we'll just sweep this half-witted attempt at sarcasm out of the way and get on with the introductions here. We still like sports cars. But we can't ignore the fact that people are buying SUVs, especially crossover SUVs. What's a "crossover SUV"? A vehicle that looks something like a truck but handles more like a car, while keeping a cargo bay in back for weekend trips to nurseries (the ones that sell plants) and discount superstores. This month, we say good-bye to our first long-term crossover, a 2001 Mazda Tribute, and in a sort of observance of this occasion, we've added a 2003 Mitsubishi Outlander to our fleet — as a playmate for our '03 Subaru Forester.
Based on Mitsubishi's Lancer platform (yes, the same one that will spawn the high-performance Evolution VIII in January 2003), the Outlander mini-ute is to the Forester what the Evo will be to the WRX. Well, in a loose sense, as tempers don't heat up with the same intensity among naturally aspirated grocery-getters. Other key competitors include the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. You can expand the list to include such vehicles as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Saturn Vue and the Tribute (and Escape), but the Outlander doesn't join these guys in offering an optional V6 engine.
Instead, the Mitsu is more about economy. Its standard LEV-compliant 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine generates 140 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 157 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. Mitsubishi, a company that deals in smaller volumes in the U.S. than Honda or Toyota, won't be offering its new sport-ute with a manual transmission (a tough sell to buyers who want an easy-to-drive urban runabout), so all Outlanders come with a four-speed automatic. This tranny does have an automanual gate, which gives the driver some control over shift points when desired. Fuel economy is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway for front-wheel-drive (2WD, that is) models and 20/25 for all-wheel-drive models.
We recently conducted a full road test of a front-drive Outlander. We were impressed by our test vehicle's classy, ergonomically sound cabin ensemble; ample pep for city driving (not surprising since peak torque comes together at such a low rpm); stable handling; and quiet, comfortable ride.
At the same time, we had to acknowledge that the Mitsu faces a tough battle against the CR-V, Forester and RAV4 (not to mention the V6-equipped mini-utes). Among the weaknesses we cited were mediocre high-speed passing ability, long stopping distances during instrumented testing (our tester didn't have ABS and wasn't terribly amenable to threshold braking) and somewhat limited cargo capacity (four cubic feet less than the Forester's maximum, eight less than the RAV4's and 12 less than the CR-V's). Gas mileage could also be an issue, as the all-wheel-drive Outlander (20/25) is a bit off the pace set by the RAV4, rated at 23/27 in four-wheel-drive form. The CR-V (22/26) and Forester (21/26) fall in line behind it. While none of these deficiencies represents a serious flaw, none are helpful to a latecomer trying to distinguish itself.
However, as we've found in the past, impressions formed over the course of a week are apt to change when you live with a vehicle day in, day out over the course of a year. Such could very well be the case for the all-wheel-drive Outlander XLS that now resides with us. "XLS" means loaded in Outlander terms. Certainly, the base LS model is well equipped with 16-inch wheels, air conditioning, cruise, a CD player and power windows, mirrors and locks, but the XLS is your ticket to even better living. Equipment upgrades include alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, keyless entry, attractive white-faced gauges and nicer cloth upholstery.
More importantly, only the XLS is eligible for ABS ($500), which our long-term vehicle has. Other options exclusive to this trim level include the Luxury Package ($1,450), which supplies side airbags, leather upholstery and seat heaters, among other goodies, and the Sun and Sound Package, which provides an upgraded 210-watt Mitsubishi/Infinity sound system and a sunroof. You might remember that the Outlander in our earlier road test was equipped with an in-dash CD changer, but unfortunately, that's a dealer-installed item our long-termer does not have. Still, options pushed the MSRP well over 24 grand, which is a lot less than our fully loaded Forester's ($28,525), but more than a CR-V EX ($22,860), which doesn't have leather but does come with a six-disc changer.
Already we've put almost 3,000 miles on our new acquisition. Many of these were logged by Road Test Editor Erin Riches, who used the Outlander for her 66-mile daily round-trip commute. Later in the month, the Outlander transported the entire editorial staff to Las Vegas to attend driving school and to cover the annual SEMA aftermarket equipment show.
Erin has never been particularly fond of mini SUVs. Chiefly annoying to her are the increased fuel consumption and reduced handling acuity caused by their taller ride height. And the possibility that driving one of these vehicles could confer a much needed dose of style upon her hasn't proven persuasive, either. That said, her month in the Outlander was rather pleasant — it turns out that the Mitsu is quite the commuter vehicle. Here's a peek at her logbook:
"The Outlander has ample power for easy around-town driving and has few problems merging onto freeways in crowded urban areas where traffic is moving along at 50-60 mph. However, in less densely populated suburban areas where the pace of traffic is around 70, it doesn't do as well, as the engine loses steam at higher rpm. Flooring it is definitely less effective than gradually laying into the throttle, as its best power resides lower on the tach. Engine noise only becomes bothersome at full throttle.
"The handling is less inspiring than I thought it would be. Yes, the Outlander has a nice, smooth ride for commuting, and, no, it never does anything unexpected when cornering, but I had hoped it would be more like the Forester (since both are based on a sporty small car platform) or the Tribute. As it is, the steering has a fluid feel, but doesn't provide much road information to the driver. Weighting is OK, but there is too much boost above 45 mph. Finally, I noted considerable body roll around turns — it's hard to keep groceries and other bags from flying around the cabin.
"Braking ability is decent, and during normal light applications, there's nothing unusual about the brake pedal feel. But in moderate applications, a bit too much effort is required — the pedal travel is longer than expected and it has a mushy feel in these instances.
"I really like the interior design — especially the faux metal on the dash and the analog clock — and the seats are some of the most comfortable I've ever experienced in a low-priced SUV (probably only the Honda CR-V's can even compare). The view of the road from the driver seat is excellent. I like the size and shape of the side mirrors, and the auto-dimming rearview mirror is a nice touch in this class. The plastics used inside don't seem as high in quality as those that are in the Forester, but they still seem mostly solid and well-finished, something that is definitely not a given when there are mini-utes like the Tribute and the Vue in our garage.
"I love the bass response of the Infinity sound system. The only downside seems to be suspect build quality — with regard to the speakers, anyway — as several of the speakers buzz during moments of heavier bass, even at just a moderate listening volume."
Certainly, this isn't unqualified praise for Mitsubishi's new mini-ute, but on the whole, our road test editor found it easy to live with on an everyday basis — composed ride, comfortable seats and all controls within reach. Not bad. And after driving and riding in the Outlander during the 560-mile round-trip to and from Las Vegas — with three to four adults onboard at all times — Erin was prepared to certify it as a competent road trip vehicle.
"The Outlander cruised quietly at any speed, even if that speed was well into the extra-legal range. And several editors noted that it was quieter than the Forester. Both mini-utes wear 16-inch Yokohama Geolanders (a slightly wider set on the Outlander), so Road Test Editor John DiPietro surmised that the difference in road noise had to do with underbody insulation. Anyway, it was relatively easy for three or four of us to carry on a conversation regardless of the speed of travel.
"The build quality issues I noted earlier regarding the Infinity speakers came to a head on the way back from Vegas in the form of a high-pitched synth-type wail from the door speakers on the right side of the car. At first, everyone assumed this odd noise was the work of our de facto road trip comedian, Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed, but subsequent interrogation revealed that the sound had indeed originated from the Outlander's audio system. It only happened twice, so I'd imagine we'd have quite a time getting a dealer to duplicate this problem.
"The front seats were lauded by all for their cushioning and support, which remained effective even after several hours of driving. The rear seats weren't as satisfying. Although legroom is plentiful, the low-mounted bench provided little thigh support for our taller editors who were forced to sit with their legs splayed. The back cushion's ability to recline (in separate 60/40 sections no less) helped somewhat, but I emerged from the car with a sore lower back after slumping in the seat for a couple of hours.
"The Outlander proved to have enough storage to accommodate our various phones, mints and beverages. The cupholders can't hold the really huge 1.5-liter bottles of water but they have no problem with the standard one-liter bottles or coffee mugs with handles (due to their unusual shape) and can double as storage. The two additional storage wells under the center stack are ideal for tins of mints and cell phones. The rear cupholders are housed in a nice, supportive fold-down armrest and they, too, can hold one-liter bottles securely."
At the end of the month, Erin looked over the fuel economy numbers, hoping that they would somehow justify her affinity for the Outlander (well, so long as she doesn't have to ride in the backseat), so that she could say something like, "Great vehicle and look how fuel-efficient it is." But alas, the barely broken-in engine and our editor's impatient approach to commuting kept the average around 20, which already puts it more than one mile-per-gallon behind the long-term Forester. Will the Mitsubishi catch up in the fuel economy race? We invite those of you burning to know to join us here again next month.
Current Odometer: 2,900
Best Fuel Economy: 22.5 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 17.9 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 20.3 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: Odd noises from the speakers after extended stereo use.
Based on Mitsubishi's Lancer platform (yes, the same one that will spawn the high-performance Evolution VIII in January 2003), the Outlander mini-ute is to the Forester what the Evo will be to the WRX. Well, in a loose sense, as tempers don't heat up with the same intensity among naturally aspirated grocery-getters. Other key competitors include the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. You can expand the list to include such vehicles as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Saturn Vue and the Tribute (and Escape), but the Outlander doesn't join these guys in offering an optional V6 engine.
Instead, the Mitsu is more about economy. Its standard LEV-compliant 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine generates 140 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 157 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. Mitsubishi, a company that deals in smaller volumes in the U.S. than Honda or Toyota, won't be offering its new sport-ute with a manual transmission (a tough sell to buyers who want an easy-to-drive urban runabout), so all Outlanders come with a four-speed automatic. This tranny does have an automanual gate, which gives the driver some control over shift points when desired. Fuel economy is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway for front-wheel-drive (2WD, that is) models and 20/25 for all-wheel-drive models.
We recently conducted a full road test of a front-drive Outlander. We were impressed by our test vehicle's classy, ergonomically sound cabin ensemble; ample pep for city driving (not surprising since peak torque comes together at such a low rpm); stable handling; and quiet, comfortable ride.
At the same time, we had to acknowledge that the Mitsu faces a tough battle against the CR-V, Forester and RAV4 (not to mention the V6-equipped mini-utes). Among the weaknesses we cited were mediocre high-speed passing ability, long stopping distances during instrumented testing (our tester didn't have ABS and wasn't terribly amenable to threshold braking) and somewhat limited cargo capacity (four cubic feet less than the Forester's maximum, eight less than the RAV4's and 12 less than the CR-V's). Gas mileage could also be an issue, as the all-wheel-drive Outlander (20/25) is a bit off the pace set by the RAV4, rated at 23/27 in four-wheel-drive form. The CR-V (22/26) and Forester (21/26) fall in line behind it. While none of these deficiencies represents a serious flaw, none are helpful to a latecomer trying to distinguish itself.
However, as we've found in the past, impressions formed over the course of a week are apt to change when you live with a vehicle day in, day out over the course of a year. Such could very well be the case for the all-wheel-drive Outlander XLS that now resides with us. "XLS" means loaded in Outlander terms. Certainly, the base LS model is well equipped with 16-inch wheels, air conditioning, cruise, a CD player and power windows, mirrors and locks, but the XLS is your ticket to even better living. Equipment upgrades include alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, keyless entry, attractive white-faced gauges and nicer cloth upholstery.
More importantly, only the XLS is eligible for ABS ($500), which our long-term vehicle has. Other options exclusive to this trim level include the Luxury Package ($1,450), which supplies side airbags, leather upholstery and seat heaters, among other goodies, and the Sun and Sound Package, which provides an upgraded 210-watt Mitsubishi/Infinity sound system and a sunroof. You might remember that the Outlander in our earlier road test was equipped with an in-dash CD changer, but unfortunately, that's a dealer-installed item our long-termer does not have. Still, options pushed the MSRP well over 24 grand, which is a lot less than our fully loaded Forester's ($28,525), but more than a CR-V EX ($22,860), which doesn't have leather but does come with a six-disc changer.
Already we've put almost 3,000 miles on our new acquisition. Many of these were logged by Road Test Editor Erin Riches, who used the Outlander for her 66-mile daily round-trip commute. Later in the month, the Outlander transported the entire editorial staff to Las Vegas to attend driving school and to cover the annual SEMA aftermarket equipment show.
Erin has never been particularly fond of mini SUVs. Chiefly annoying to her are the increased fuel consumption and reduced handling acuity caused by their taller ride height. And the possibility that driving one of these vehicles could confer a much needed dose of style upon her hasn't proven persuasive, either. That said, her month in the Outlander was rather pleasant — it turns out that the Mitsu is quite the commuter vehicle. Here's a peek at her logbook:
"The Outlander has ample power for easy around-town driving and has few problems merging onto freeways in crowded urban areas where traffic is moving along at 50-60 mph. However, in less densely populated suburban areas where the pace of traffic is around 70, it doesn't do as well, as the engine loses steam at higher rpm. Flooring it is definitely less effective than gradually laying into the throttle, as its best power resides lower on the tach. Engine noise only becomes bothersome at full throttle.
"The handling is less inspiring than I thought it would be. Yes, the Outlander has a nice, smooth ride for commuting, and, no, it never does anything unexpected when cornering, but I had hoped it would be more like the Forester (since both are based on a sporty small car platform) or the Tribute. As it is, the steering has a fluid feel, but doesn't provide much road information to the driver. Weighting is OK, but there is too much boost above 45 mph. Finally, I noted considerable body roll around turns — it's hard to keep groceries and other bags from flying around the cabin.
"Braking ability is decent, and during normal light applications, there's nothing unusual about the brake pedal feel. But in moderate applications, a bit too much effort is required — the pedal travel is longer than expected and it has a mushy feel in these instances.
"I really like the interior design — especially the faux metal on the dash and the analog clock — and the seats are some of the most comfortable I've ever experienced in a low-priced SUV (probably only the Honda CR-V's can even compare). The view of the road from the driver seat is excellent. I like the size and shape of the side mirrors, and the auto-dimming rearview mirror is a nice touch in this class. The plastics used inside don't seem as high in quality as those that are in the Forester, but they still seem mostly solid and well-finished, something that is definitely not a given when there are mini-utes like the Tribute and the Vue in our garage.
"I love the bass response of the Infinity sound system. The only downside seems to be suspect build quality — with regard to the speakers, anyway — as several of the speakers buzz during moments of heavier bass, even at just a moderate listening volume."
Certainly, this isn't unqualified praise for Mitsubishi's new mini-ute, but on the whole, our road test editor found it easy to live with on an everyday basis — composed ride, comfortable seats and all controls within reach. Not bad. And after driving and riding in the Outlander during the 560-mile round-trip to and from Las Vegas — with three to four adults onboard at all times — Erin was prepared to certify it as a competent road trip vehicle.
"The Outlander cruised quietly at any speed, even if that speed was well into the extra-legal range. And several editors noted that it was quieter than the Forester. Both mini-utes wear 16-inch Yokohama Geolanders (a slightly wider set on the Outlander), so Road Test Editor John DiPietro surmised that the difference in road noise had to do with underbody insulation. Anyway, it was relatively easy for three or four of us to carry on a conversation regardless of the speed of travel.
"The build quality issues I noted earlier regarding the Infinity speakers came to a head on the way back from Vegas in the form of a high-pitched synth-type wail from the door speakers on the right side of the car. At first, everyone assumed this odd noise was the work of our de facto road trip comedian, Consumer Advice Editor Phil Reed, but subsequent interrogation revealed that the sound had indeed originated from the Outlander's audio system. It only happened twice, so I'd imagine we'd have quite a time getting a dealer to duplicate this problem.
"The front seats were lauded by all for their cushioning and support, which remained effective even after several hours of driving. The rear seats weren't as satisfying. Although legroom is plentiful, the low-mounted bench provided little thigh support for our taller editors who were forced to sit with their legs splayed. The back cushion's ability to recline (in separate 60/40 sections no less) helped somewhat, but I emerged from the car with a sore lower back after slumping in the seat for a couple of hours.
"The Outlander proved to have enough storage to accommodate our various phones, mints and beverages. The cupholders can't hold the really huge 1.5-liter bottles of water but they have no problem with the standard one-liter bottles or coffee mugs with handles (due to their unusual shape) and can double as storage. The two additional storage wells under the center stack are ideal for tins of mints and cell phones. The rear cupholders are housed in a nice, supportive fold-down armrest and they, too, can hold one-liter bottles securely."
At the end of the month, Erin looked over the fuel economy numbers, hoping that they would somehow justify her affinity for the Outlander (well, so long as she doesn't have to ride in the backseat), so that she could say something like, "Great vehicle and look how fuel-efficient it is." But alas, the barely broken-in engine and our editor's impatient approach to commuting kept the average around 20, which already puts it more than one mile-per-gallon behind the long-term Forester. Will the Mitsubishi catch up in the fuel economy race? We invite those of you burning to know to join us here again next month.
Current Odometer: 2,900
Best Fuel Economy: 22.5 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 17.9 mpg
Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 20.3 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: Odd noises from the speakers after extended stereo use.
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