While the EV hordes are laying siege to the fossil-fuelled SUV segment, the ‘clean
machjnes’ are not having it all their own way. The ‘old soldiers’ are fighting a
rearguard action.
With service stations for refuelling the internal combustion engine (ICE) on
almost every street corner, compared with shortcomings in the supply of
infrastructure for public fast charging of EVs, especially out of town, range
anxiety abounds.
Far from throwing in the towel, the Mitsubishi Outlander, released in Australia in
2021 and the country’s fifth best-selling model last year, recently underwent a
serious mechanical upgrade only months after the launch of a new model.
Among changes was Australian-developed chassis tuning for the first time,
including revised suspension and steering systems designed specifically for
local road conditions. So good has it turn out the modifications have been taken
up on Mitsubishi Outlanders around the globe.
An enhanced exterior includes new design alloy wheels, while the cabin is given
the once-over with premium materials, upgraded infotainment and a pair of
enhanced Yamaha sound systems depending on the variant.
The new Outlanders, consisting of ES, LS, Aspire, Exceed (the test vehicle) and
Exceed Tourer grades, is priced from $39,990 to $57.990, plus on-road costs.
Buyers have a choice of front- or all-wheel drive and five or seven seats. All are
covered by Mitsubishi’s Diamond Advantage warranty and capped price
servicing.
Comprising a ten-year / 200,000km manufacturer’s warranty, with ten years
capped price servicing. Diamond Advantage also offers up to four years
complimentary roadside assist.
STYLING
Building on the distinctive looks of the current generation Outlander, designers
worked to further streamline the vehicle, while maintaining the well-proportioned
profile. A 20-inch wheel carries the car to a pleasing street presence with 210mm
ground clearance.
Up front modern styling makes way for a dated ‘scarf’ of chrome, running from
the bonnet’s top edges, wrapping headlamp set-up on either side of the grille. The
maker says it paid particular attention here to the bumper and lower garnish with
respect to improved aerodynamics.
This has been carried through to the rear where lighting has been upgraded with
combination lamps featuring a ‘smoke’ clear outer lens and ‘black tone’ inner
section. Turn and reverse lamps are now LED.
INTERIOR
In keeping with the exterior intentions, the cabin has been reworked in both form
and function. An updated centre console has put cup holders within easier reach,
while central armrest storage has been bettered by 45 per cent.
Ventilation has come to the front seats for the first time on Exceed and above,
while Aspire models introduce heating to the front row and steering wheel.
Second row occupants are the subject of better padding and longer seat backs
for additional comfort.
All materials used are of higher quality than before – Exceed buyers have the
choice of black or grey leather – and the interior is now lit by LED lamps. Boot
space ranges from 163 to 485 litres and there’s a full-size alloy spare wheel.
Towing limits range from 1600kg braked to 750kg without brakes.
INFOTAINMENT
A new 12.3-inch infotainment system, across all grades, features higher
resolution and enhanced response rate. Wireless Apple CarPlay is carried over
from the previous Outlander, while Android Auto makes its wireless debut here.
There are two USB Type-C sockets up front, plus a second in the centre console.
LS and above grades gain two more USB-C sockets in the rear.
Mitsubishi has switched on to a new level of in-cabin entertainment through
collaboration with Yamaha sound. Two systems – Dynamic Sound Yamaha
Premium and Dynamic Sound Yamaha Ultimate (in Exceed Tourer) – together with
improved sound isolation, work to create a unique audio experience.
‘Premium’ sound is presented through eight speakers, while ‘Ultimate’ makes use
of a sub-woofer, dual amplifiers and Yamaha’s Digital Signal Processor to deliver
1650 Watts of power.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
It’s ‘as you’ were for the updated Outlander, with the carry-over of the proven 2.5-
litre naturally aspirated, four-cylinder petrol engine, putting out 135kW and
244Nm, mated with a CVT incorporating enhanced noise insulation.
ES, LS and Aspire grades offer a choice of front-wheel drive or Super All-Wheel
Control AWD, with upper echelon Exceed and Exceed Tourer featuring Super All-
Wheel Control. The maker claims fuel consumption of 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres
for the Exceed AWD tester on the combined urban/highway cycle.
SAFETY
Continuing Mitsubishi’s work on cutting-edge safety the MY26 Outlander has had
refinements to haptic brake warning, blind spot intervention and lane keeping
systems, highlighted by driver monitoring, reverse autonomous braking,
frameless interior rear-view mirror with digital display, 360-degree all-round
bird’s-eye view, plus traffic sign recognition with active cruise control and speed
limiter.
Mitsubishi Connect makes its debut for the maker on a model in Australia,
featuring SOS emergency assistance, automatic collision notification and
breakdown assistance, anti-theft alert, curfew, geo-fence and speed alert and tow-
away notification.
With a five-star ANCP rating, the Outlander has eight airbags, including driver,
passenger, front side, curtain, centre and driver’s knee.
DRIVING
As mentioned above, Aussie engineers worked with international counterparts on
roads throughout Australia and Japan to refine Outlander’s ride and handling.
The group developed new suspension components and map for the power
steering.
Front and rear shock absorbers were updated with changes to ‘bump’ and
‘rebound’ tuning and a smaller diameter front anti-roll bar. EPS mapping has been
adjusted to improve on-centre feel and a more linear response on turning. The
package was calibrated to work with a new Bridgestone summer tyre.
Chassis and body updates were designed to reduce noise, vibration and
harshness. A new isolator was added to the transmission tunnel and the addition
of a steel bonnet further cuts sound intrusion to the cabin.
SUMMARY
Ignoring the use of fossil fuel, the recent Mitsubishi Outlander updates have
concentrated on the things that really matter in the modern automobile – ride and
handling, steering, safety, connectivity, cabin comfort and convenience. Pity
about the chrome brain fade up front.
RATINGS
Looks – 6
Performance – 5
Safety – 7
Thirst – 7
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 7
Tech – 7
Value – 8
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Outlander ES 5 seat FWD $39,990
Outlander ES 5 seat AWD $42,490
Outlander LS 5+2 seat FWD $43,290
Outlander LS 5+2 seat AWD $45,790
Outlander Aspire 5+2 seat FWD $47,790
Outlander Aspire 5+2 seat AWD $50,290
Outlander Exceed 5 seat AWD $55,140
Outlander Exceed Tourer 5 seat AWD $57,990
Note: these prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact
your Mitsubishi local dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed 2.5-litre 4-cyl petrol, CVT, AWD,
4×4 on demand, SUV)
ENGINE
Capacity: 2442cc
Configuration: four cylinders inline
Maximum power 135kW @ 6000rpm
Maximum torque: 245Nm @ 3600rpm
Fuel type: Petrol. 91 RON
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 8.1L/100km
CO2 emissions 185g/km
DRIVELINE: Eight-speed automatic, 4×4 (on demand)
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4720mm
Width: 1862mm
Height: 1745mm
Wheelbase: 2706mm:
Turning circle: 10.6m
Kerb weight: 1695kg
Fuel tank: 55L
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Ten years / 200,000 kilometres
Ten years capped price servicing
Ten years roadside assist
