Full Test: 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS
Coupe de SUV
By Kelly Toepke, News Editor | Published Dec 27, 2006
1 Rating
My first inclination was to play air guitar on the roof. Instead, I called my husband.
"Hello?" he said.
"Listen to this," I shouted over AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long."
"Who is this?" he asked.
This is the 37-year-old mother of one who just found the 30-gigabyte hard drive hidden within the nine-speaker 650-watt Rockford Fosgate stereo system in her 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS test vehicle. Some previous tester had thoughtfully loaded old school metal on the stereo's hard drive, and Mom was rocking out.
Coupelike SUV
The need for kid-friendly transportation shouldn't force you to deny your Camaro Z28 past, and the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander, with its low swoopy roof line, is a good example of what manufacturers are doing with compact SUVs to appeal both to young hipsters and the young at heart.
Not only does the all-new Outlander SUV offer cool features like the hard drive stereo and magnesium paddle shifters, it comes wrapped in a sporty, coupelike package. Compared to the stolid Toyota RAV4 and solid Honda CR-V, the 2007 Outlander is now stylish enough to differentiate itself from the rest of the compact-SUV crowd, and help Mom feel like she's still got it goin' on.
Powerful new V6
A 220-horsepower 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine is the only power plant available in the 2007 Outlander, a notable step up from the anemic 160-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder that has been powering the compact SUV since 2004. This new single-overhead-cam engine has an aluminum block, variable intake valve timing and lift, and 24 valves, and it moves the Outlander's 3,791-pound girth with spunk if not speed. Add the standard new six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode and steering-column-mounted paddle shifters and suddenly driving a compact SUV no longer means waving a white flag to Whitesnake.
As a result of the efficient new powertrain, fuel economy hasn't been seriously hampered by the larger engine or the Outlander's 250-pound weight increase. Officially rated at 19/26 mpg for city/highway, this preproduction Mitsubishi earned an 18.6 mpg average during our two weeks with the truck. Comparatively, we've averaged 19.3 mpg in a recent RAV4 test, and 16.6 mpg in the new turbocharged Mazda CX-7 with its premium fuel requirement.
At the test track, the part-time four-wheel-drive Outlander recorded a 0-60-mph time of 8.2 seconds, slower than the CX-7 (7.7 seconds) and much slower than the 269-hp RAV4, which cuts a full second off the Outlander's best run. The Outlander's 16.5-second quarter-mile run at 85.8 mph is also slower than the Mazda and Toyota.
Even though it's not the quickest, the Outlander feels satisfactory out on the open road, and doesn't leave you high and dry in passing situations. The abrupt throttle response takes some getting used to, but overall the engine is smooth and quiet.
Good steering, so-so brakes
A small, sporty leather-wrapped wheel and tight 34.8-foot turning circle enhance the Mitsubishi's coupelike feel. The steering feel is also much improved thanks to a new power-assisted rack-and-pinion setup that's much quicker and more precise than the unit in the old Outlander.
Despite the standard four-wheel antilock disc brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution, overall pedal feel is as unremarkable as the measured stopping distance. During brake testing, the Outlander didn't close the gap as quickly as we'd like, eating up 128 feet before hauling down to a stop from 60 mph. Good for the class, but still behind the RAV4's (120-foot) and the CX-7's (112.9-foot) performance.
Stiff and stable ride
The Outlander continues to use a fully independent suspension design with struts in front and multiple links in back, but the ride isn't as compliant as moms might like. One feisty 6-year-old complained on the freeway that she could feel the rear-seat vibration through her Britax booster seat.
Although the Outlander was generally unhappy on the skid pad, displaying plenty of body roll and squeal from the 225/55R18 Goodyear Eagle LS tires, it still maintained decent grip at 0.80g. Slalom runs were respectably quick for a crossover or compact SUV. At 63.9 mph, the four-wheel-drive Outlander was stable, predictable and well-behaved, with much better speed and grip than its center of gravity would indicate. It even surpassed the taller RAV4's 61.3-mph run, but the CX-7's 64.3-mph speed is still tops for the class.
Coupe attitude can be asset and liability
Points for sporty exterior styling may go to the Outlander, but Mitsubishi could still learn a thing or two about interior refinement from Toyota or Honda. Plenty of attractive brushed metal accents dress up the cabin nicely, but looks aren't everything. The climate controls are easy to operate with three large dials, but the dials themselves feel clickety and cheap, without smooth rotating action.
Fine quality leather, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats and xenon HID headlamps make up the Luxury Package which helped our Outlander XLS tester price out at $30,615 — right in line with the CR-V, CX-7 and RAV4.
The seats are attractive with contrasting white stitching and the bolsters are well shaped, but the bottom cushion is a little too flat and firm. Rear-seat bottoms are also slightly short which diminishes thigh support, and at 39.6 inches, the Outlander's rear legroom measures an inch more than the RAV4's rear footwell.
Fun follows function
Third-row seats are a hot commodity these days, and after stretching the wheelbase nearly 2 inches and the overall length more than 4.5 inches, the Outlander earned itself a coveted, if little used, third row. The difficulty isn't in folding the seat into place as it springs up fairly easily; the real issue will be in convincing people above the age of 4 years to give it a whirl.
With the second and third rows safely stowed, maximum cargo capacity measures 73 cubic feet. That's the same as the RAV4 can handle, but Mitsubishi trumps the Toyota nicely with its lightweight, fold-down rear tailgate. Lift the hatch and the lower portion of the tailgate folds down flat to offer easy access to the cargo area and a good seat for Mom at Lollapalooza, I mean, for changing diapers.
High tech for the cool kids
Slick paddle shifters that look like Spock's ears protruding from the sides of the steering column come standard on the Outlander XLS, but the Rockford Fosgate stereo and a navigation system are on the options list, even on the top trim level. The nav system is easy to figure out, but the short, little joystick and the sea of black buttons are far from user-friendly, and there's no knob for quick volume control.
A trip computer is nestled between the speedometer and tachometer. And with the push of one button the red illumination offers six different screens of information, including average speed, average fuel economy, instant mpg, fuel level and ambient temperature, and that's just on one screen. Other screens show additional info, including distance to empty for those too cool to fuel prior to the warning light.
Mitsubishi builds a real competitor
After two weeks rockin' out in the Outlander we're impressed with Mitsubishi's latest crossover. It might not be quite as sporting as the Mazda CX-7, but it offers plenty more space and just enough flair to keep us interested. Plus, we understand there's a tuned-up Ralliart version just around the corner, which should take things up a notch or two.
But what if you think AC/DC is the power outlet in the Outlander's center console? Well, the Outlander has more than enough comfort and built-in practicality to earn a place on your shopping list, too. Just don't crank up the Kenny G, please.
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
"Hello?" he said.
"Listen to this," I shouted over AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long."
"Who is this?" he asked.
This is the 37-year-old mother of one who just found the 30-gigabyte hard drive hidden within the nine-speaker 650-watt Rockford Fosgate stereo system in her 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS test vehicle. Some previous tester had thoughtfully loaded old school metal on the stereo's hard drive, and Mom was rocking out.
Coupelike SUV
The need for kid-friendly transportation shouldn't force you to deny your Camaro Z28 past, and the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander, with its low swoopy roof line, is a good example of what manufacturers are doing with compact SUVs to appeal both to young hipsters and the young at heart.
Not only does the all-new Outlander SUV offer cool features like the hard drive stereo and magnesium paddle shifters, it comes wrapped in a sporty, coupelike package. Compared to the stolid Toyota RAV4 and solid Honda CR-V, the 2007 Outlander is now stylish enough to differentiate itself from the rest of the compact-SUV crowd, and help Mom feel like she's still got it goin' on.
Powerful new V6
A 220-horsepower 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine is the only power plant available in the 2007 Outlander, a notable step up from the anemic 160-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder that has been powering the compact SUV since 2004. This new single-overhead-cam engine has an aluminum block, variable intake valve timing and lift, and 24 valves, and it moves the Outlander's 3,791-pound girth with spunk if not speed. Add the standard new six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode and steering-column-mounted paddle shifters and suddenly driving a compact SUV no longer means waving a white flag to Whitesnake.
As a result of the efficient new powertrain, fuel economy hasn't been seriously hampered by the larger engine or the Outlander's 250-pound weight increase. Officially rated at 19/26 mpg for city/highway, this preproduction Mitsubishi earned an 18.6 mpg average during our two weeks with the truck. Comparatively, we've averaged 19.3 mpg in a recent RAV4 test, and 16.6 mpg in the new turbocharged Mazda CX-7 with its premium fuel requirement.
At the test track, the part-time four-wheel-drive Outlander recorded a 0-60-mph time of 8.2 seconds, slower than the CX-7 (7.7 seconds) and much slower than the 269-hp RAV4, which cuts a full second off the Outlander's best run. The Outlander's 16.5-second quarter-mile run at 85.8 mph is also slower than the Mazda and Toyota.
Even though it's not the quickest, the Outlander feels satisfactory out on the open road, and doesn't leave you high and dry in passing situations. The abrupt throttle response takes some getting used to, but overall the engine is smooth and quiet.
Good steering, so-so brakes
A small, sporty leather-wrapped wheel and tight 34.8-foot turning circle enhance the Mitsubishi's coupelike feel. The steering feel is also much improved thanks to a new power-assisted rack-and-pinion setup that's much quicker and more precise than the unit in the old Outlander.
Despite the standard four-wheel antilock disc brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution, overall pedal feel is as unremarkable as the measured stopping distance. During brake testing, the Outlander didn't close the gap as quickly as we'd like, eating up 128 feet before hauling down to a stop from 60 mph. Good for the class, but still behind the RAV4's (120-foot) and the CX-7's (112.9-foot) performance.
Stiff and stable ride
The Outlander continues to use a fully independent suspension design with struts in front and multiple links in back, but the ride isn't as compliant as moms might like. One feisty 6-year-old complained on the freeway that she could feel the rear-seat vibration through her Britax booster seat.
Although the Outlander was generally unhappy on the skid pad, displaying plenty of body roll and squeal from the 225/55R18 Goodyear Eagle LS tires, it still maintained decent grip at 0.80g. Slalom runs were respectably quick for a crossover or compact SUV. At 63.9 mph, the four-wheel-drive Outlander was stable, predictable and well-behaved, with much better speed and grip than its center of gravity would indicate. It even surpassed the taller RAV4's 61.3-mph run, but the CX-7's 64.3-mph speed is still tops for the class.
Coupe attitude can be asset and liability
Points for sporty exterior styling may go to the Outlander, but Mitsubishi could still learn a thing or two about interior refinement from Toyota or Honda. Plenty of attractive brushed metal accents dress up the cabin nicely, but looks aren't everything. The climate controls are easy to operate with three large dials, but the dials themselves feel clickety and cheap, without smooth rotating action.
Fine quality leather, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats and xenon HID headlamps make up the Luxury Package which helped our Outlander XLS tester price out at $30,615 — right in line with the CR-V, CX-7 and RAV4.
The seats are attractive with contrasting white stitching and the bolsters are well shaped, but the bottom cushion is a little too flat and firm. Rear-seat bottoms are also slightly short which diminishes thigh support, and at 39.6 inches, the Outlander's rear legroom measures an inch more than the RAV4's rear footwell.
Fun follows function
Third-row seats are a hot commodity these days, and after stretching the wheelbase nearly 2 inches and the overall length more than 4.5 inches, the Outlander earned itself a coveted, if little used, third row. The difficulty isn't in folding the seat into place as it springs up fairly easily; the real issue will be in convincing people above the age of 4 years to give it a whirl.
With the second and third rows safely stowed, maximum cargo capacity measures 73 cubic feet. That's the same as the RAV4 can handle, but Mitsubishi trumps the Toyota nicely with its lightweight, fold-down rear tailgate. Lift the hatch and the lower portion of the tailgate folds down flat to offer easy access to the cargo area and a good seat for Mom at Lollapalooza, I mean, for changing diapers.
High tech for the cool kids
Slick paddle shifters that look like Spock's ears protruding from the sides of the steering column come standard on the Outlander XLS, but the Rockford Fosgate stereo and a navigation system are on the options list, even on the top trim level. The nav system is easy to figure out, but the short, little joystick and the sea of black buttons are far from user-friendly, and there's no knob for quick volume control.
A trip computer is nestled between the speedometer and tachometer. And with the push of one button the red illumination offers six different screens of information, including average speed, average fuel economy, instant mpg, fuel level and ambient temperature, and that's just on one screen. Other screens show additional info, including distance to empty for those too cool to fuel prior to the warning light.
Mitsubishi builds a real competitor
After two weeks rockin' out in the Outlander we're impressed with Mitsubishi's latest crossover. It might not be quite as sporting as the Mazda CX-7, but it offers plenty more space and just enough flair to keep us interested. Plus, we understand there's a tuned-up Ralliart version just around the corner, which should take things up a notch or two.
But what if you think AC/DC is the power outlet in the Outlander's center console? Well, the Outlander has more than enough comfort and built-in practicality to earn a place on your shopping list, too. Just don't crank up the Kenny G, please.
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.