STYLE MEETS SUBSTANCE
Mitsubishi has given its Outlander SUV a big makeover, we find out what it is all about. Here are five things you need to know about the Outlander Exceed Tourer.
THIS IS A NEW LOOK FOR MITSUBISHI
The new Outlander is far more premium than its predecessor.
I was mistaken for a ride-sharing driver during a test of the previous-generation Outlander, something that feels less likely to happen with the new Outlander Exceed Tourer.
Finished in pearlescent white paint with a two-tone roof and gleaming 20-inch alloys, the Mitsubishi cuts a bold figure – particularly when you factor in its strong proportions and modern lighting.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: this is the most-improved new car on sale today.
IT’S EVEN BETTER ON THE INSIDE
The range-topping Outlander’s two-tone quilted leather cabin, heated and massaging front seats and 10-speaker Bose stereo make a striking impression.
It looks and feels a world beyond the older model – and better than most alternatives in this class. It’s also packed with tech such as a digital dash, head-up display and oversized central touchscreen with wireless charging and Apple Carplay. Other luxuries include threezone climate control, a powered rear tailgate, panoramic sunroof and more – essentially all you could hope to find in a seven-seat family car for $54,490 drive-away.
OWNERSHIP IS A STRONG POINT
Most new cars have a five-year, unlimitedkilometre warranty with capped price servicing and roadside assistance.
Mitsubishi offers a five-year warranty as standard, but will double that to 10 years if you have the car serviced through its dealership network. It’s a good deal considering servicing is competitively priced at $199 per year for the first five years and $3190 for 10 years. But it’s a bad deal for small businesses, locking customers into major dealerships in an arrangement that sets an interesting precedent for the broader automotive industry.
BUT IT’S NOT PERFECT
You could argue the Outlander’s appeal is skindeep. It presents beautifully, but some of the hardware is second-rate.
Mitsubishi saved money by fitting the Outlander with an unremarkable 2.5-litre fourcylinder petrol engine that needs 8.1L/100km to make 135kw and 245Nm. None of those figures are particularly impressive.
The vocal motor is coarse compared to turbo or hybrid alternatives, with a CVT automatic that blunts driver input. It’s also dull to steer compared with the best in class, and those handsome alloys with low-profile tyres thump hard over imperfections.
It wants for engagement and refinement, though that might not bother many folks looking for a family SUV – particularly one with occasional seven-seat versatility.
This seven-seat SUV is one of the most improved new cars on the market
THE HYBRID IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
If the regular Outlander’s motor doesn’t sound appealing, drivers looking for the best-possible Outlander should consider waiting for the plugin hybrid variant.
Due to arrive mid-year, it combines a 98kw/195nm petrol motor with 85kw (front) and 100kw (rear) electric motors, along with a 20kwh battery.
The combination should deliver more urgent acceleration than the standard car, along with the ability to drive on battery power alone for more than 80 kilometres.
Prices for the hybrid range haven’t been announced – we reckon it will be close to $70,000 on the road for a fully-loaded variant.