Few cars are as flexible as a crossover utility vehicle – those part-sport utility, part-wagon, part-minivan configurations. More compact than a full-sized, gas-guzzling SUV, they’re easier to drive, better for the environment, and cheaper to fill up. And some, like the 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander, offer a great price tag, too. Prices for the Outlander start at only $24,998 for the base ES 2WD trim. The priciest is my tester, the XLS 4WD, at $33,698. Besides 4WD, it has many standard features including a power glass sunroof, heated front seats, steering wheel audio controls, and a stowable third-row seat so there’s room for up to seven passengers inside. Standard equipment on the base model includes power windows and door locks, cruise control, keyless entry and starting system, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Safety features are numerous, too. All Outlanders are equipped with dual front airbags, side-impact head protection curtain airbags, front-seat thorax side airbags, ABS, active skid control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Outlander’s exterior design is a bit bland for my tastes. It’s conservative and indistinguishable from other CUVs on the road. The Outlander is car-like in many respects. It sits low to the ground, so entering and exiting are easy. The layout is clean and uncluttered. All gauges, especially the large rotary dials for the climate control, are straightforward, simple to use, and easy to find. The key fob has no key – just touch a button on the door handle to unlock the doors. Even though there’s no key, you still have to turn the ignition to fire up the engine, which is a bit redundant. Besides the front cup holders in the centre console, a hidden cupholder is located to the left of the steering wheel. There are other useful compartments including a concealed spot above the dashboard and a dual glove box. The outside is deceiving; it’s surprising to find three rows of seats in this compact CUV. The first and second row seats are comfortable. The third row seats, however, are tiny and best suited for children on short trips. Accessing the third row is a bit tricky; the second row seats are heavy to lift and lower to get inside. You’ll need two hands and some extra elbow grease to accomplish the feat. Because the Outlander is compact and car-like, it’s easy to drive and park in crowded city areas. The ride and handling are solid; the acceleration, adequate. There is, however, some body lean when cornering. Road noise is also pronounced in the cabin. As for fuel economy, the Outlander is rated 12.2L/100 km in the city and 8.5L/100 km on the highway. I averaged slightly higher at 12.9L/100 km combined city and highway driving. But at least it takes regular fuel – so your pocketbook will appreciate the savings. And Mitsubishi has one of the best warranties in the world: a 10-year/160,000 km powertrain warranty. The Mitsubishi Outlander is a practical package with a flexible interior, excellent safety features, and a great price tag. Petrina Gentile is an award-winning automotive journalist – one of the few females covering cars in Canada.
Photo Credit: trucktrends.ca
Comments
Post new comment