Is the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander a Good SUV?

Say goodbye to the old and hello to the new. The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is a complete visual refresh coming off the outgoing model year, bringing with it a healthy dose of all new features both outside and in. However, just because a vehicle has been refreshed in one way or another doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be a good pick when you visit Northside Mitsubishi, your Mitsubishi dealer in Edmonton, for your next ride. On the bright side, the Outlander certainly proves its worth in a number of positive ways.

When shopping around the Edmonton area for a new or used Mitsubishi, scoping out different vehicle brands, and thinking about what might be the right car, crossover, or SUV to purchase, it's not uncommon for shoppers to come across the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. Revamped style, all-new features, and a fresh new take on the compact crossover segment give the Outlander a nice presence on the market. However, the question remains: is the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander a good choice? The simple answer is, "Yes."

What Makes the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander a Good Car?

Well, technically, it's not a car; it's an SUV. But that's really neither here nor there. What's important is whether or not it's actually reliable and a good vehicle to drive here in Edmonton? Given the harsh winters and icy roads during the cold seasons, you need something that has a dependable powertrain and enables you to navigate the roadways when they're less than hospitable.

Part of what makes a vehicle good is its dependability, and Mitsubishi has gone back to the drawing board in some cases to improve the overall value of the Outlander without significantly raising the price. For instance, part of the Mitsubishi alliance with Renault-Nissan included the switch over to the new platform for the Outlander, which consists of an improved frame for the crossover. There is now 33% more torsional rigidity within its structure thanks to the use of high-tensile strength steel. This means that you get a more solid ride, a more structurally sound vehicle, and a more reliable overall vehicle where it counts.

Additionally, the 2022 Outlander offers seating for up to seven people, a robust infotainment suite with wireless connectivity, a capable powertrain with great fuel economy, and the ability to tow up to 900 kg. In short, there is nothing lacking when it comes to the Mitsubishi Outlander, and this is what makes it such a good vehicle. It does everything within its segment and does it well, which is not something that can be said for every other compact crossover out there.

Is the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Fun to Drive?

Of course! There are a number of technologies in place that enable this Mitsubishi SUV to perform well on the road, and this adds to its appeal as a prime pick for Edmonton drivers. A lot of this goes back to the overhaul the Outlander received in part thanks to the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance that allowed the engineers to leverage the benefits of corporate camaraderie for the sake of improving the Outlander's capabilities.

Being a good car, truck, or SUV and being fun to drive are two completely different things. There are really good automobiles out there that come up short in a number of areas, such as handling response or performance capabilities. For instance, some vehicles have high safety ratings and lots of interior space but are sluggish when it comes to acceleration or handle like boats. Thankfully, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is not like that.

The 2.5-litre four-cylinder with direct injection outputs 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The Outlander runs on a continuously variable transmission but offers drivers looking for more performance-oriented control the ability to utilize eight simulated gears by using the Sport Mode and the paddle shifters on the wheel. And thanks to the standard Super All-Wheel Control, you have an all-wheel drive vehicle that offers you a lot of precision control and makes the Outlander both quick and nimble during driving sessions. This all contributes to the Outlander being a fun vehicle to drive.

What Differentiates the 2022 Outlander From Other Compact Crossovers?

There are a lot of different factors that separate the 2022 Outlander from other compact and crossover SUVs on the market, especially those within its segment. A big selling point for the latest model year Mitsubishi Outlander is the fact that it's the only compact crossover in the segment that offers third-row seating. That's right, with a 50/50-split bench in the third row, you can seat up to seven people instead of the more typical five.

If you're worried about cargo space, you still have the ability to fold down the third-row seats into the floor to gain extra space. In fact, you can fold down both the rear rows and make use of up to 2,257 litres of space for storage, making it quite the roomy SUV if you plan on using it to carry a lot of cargo. This is thanks to the Outlander taking advantage of the Nissan Rogue platform, upon which it's based, and then expanding on it. In fact, the Outlander is several centimetres wider thanks to having a wider wheel track, and it's actually 60 millimetres longer than the Rogue, giving it more interior volume by comparison.

The Outlander also has a unique design all its own. The wider stance was used by the engineers to give the new SUV a unique look and further differentiate it from the competition. Some of these visual cues include the chrome lining around the front fascia for the grille and lighting arrays. The LED running lights and turn signals also sit above the headlamps, giving the Outlander a stealthier appearance along the upper edge of the hood and grille. A flat roofline with roof rails also gives the Outlander that sleek look across the silhouette of its frame, making it look quite distinctive among other compacts and crossovers within its segment.

Should I Get a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander?

This is really the million-dollar question, isn't it? Whether or not you should get a 2022 Outlander boils down to what you're looking for out of all the SUVs for sale. If you want a compact with available seating for up to seven people and comes fully featured with all of the latest safety and infotainment tech, such as the MI-PILOT Assist and active driver-assist systems to avoid accidents on the road, then the answer would definitely have to be, "Yes."

With the added bonus of wireless charging, USB ports, smartphone connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 23-centimetre HD touchscreen, it's easy to see why the Outlander is a safe bet when visiting Northside Mitsubishi. Accompanied by additional tech like a 31-centimetre digital driver information display, a heads-up display, Amazon Echo Auto support, and a Bose premium surround sound system, you can easily see how the Outlander can compete with the best of them on the market.

In short, is the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander a fun-to-drive, reliable, quality-made compact? Depending on what you want out of a compact crossover, you can definitely say it is. With its robust safety system, connected network features powered by Mitsubishi Connect with integration for Amazon services, and a stylish exterior and luxury interior design, it all certainly helps it stand out from the competition. All the added bonuses and built-in tech significantly improve Outlander's value for Edmonton shoppers.