Sick of Vanilla SUVs? Check Out the Innovative Mitsubishi Outlander
SUVs come in all different sizes, but sadly, most look nearly identical. That’s not such great news for buyers who prioritize style and character. Fortunately, in a sea of vanilla styling, Mitsubishi SUVs stand out. While Mitsubishi does not have a midsize SUV, the three-row Mitsubishi Outlander offers buyers an escape from the ordinary, along with excellent fuel economy, class-leading safety, and seating for up to seven passengers.
Mitsubishi recently launched a new plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander, which sends the popular SUV’s fuel economy ratings into the stratosphere. Even if you’re not ready for an SUV that needs to be charged, the standard Outlander’s impressive 8.9 L/100km combined rating means you’ll be stopping at the pump less often. On top of that, Mitsubishi’s 10-year/160,000-km powertrain warranty will give you peace of mind.
The 2022 Outlander is all-new and completely redesigned. It offers more interior space––including for your third-row passengers––and upgraded tech to keep everyone connected and entertained. Innovation is the headline, with the newest in-vehicle bells and whistles focused on convenience and an elevated driving experience. Style meets state-of-the-art technology, with an array of semi-autonomous driver-assist systems designed to enhance safety and make the drive more fun. Here are our favourite Outlander features.
The Comprehensive MI-PILOT Assist Suite
Most manufacturers bundle a series of similar driver-assist systems into a cleverly named bundle. Still, Mitsubishi took the concept a step further, introducing MI-PILOT Assist, which encompasses safety, convenience, and comfort technologies. Sure, you’ll still get great systems like Lane Keeping Assist, which kicks in when it senses you’ve drifted out of your lane, but that’s just the beginning.
MI-PILOT Assist is designed to combat driver fatigue. The comprehensive system takes individual features, like radar-assisted cruise control and navigation, and adapts them to work harmoniously. By integrating the systems to work together, drivers benefit from comprehensive assistance. On congested highways, the system engages stop-and-go, which automatically adjusts your cruise control settings to slow down and speed up with traffic.
Connected navigation always seeks the fastest route, and Mitsubishi’s connected services allow you to begin planning routes on your smartphone, then send the directions to the infotainment system. Traffic Sign Recognition kicks in on roads with varying speeds, automatically detecting speed limits and adjusting your speed to comply. If the speed limit decreases, the system will reduce your cruise control speed accordingly.
The infotainment interface makes plugging in addresses easy, but you can also take it a step further by adding points of interest along your route or finding a gas station close to the highway. There’s even a category for parking, so you’ll never have to worry about finding a place to park, even in the big city. Thanks to the live traffic updates, you’re guaranteed to be on the fastest route with the least amount of traffic.
Mitsubishi Connect for Your Smartphone
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone without a smartphone these days, which is why the Mitsubishi Connect app is so popular among Mitsubishi owners. The Mitsubishi Connect app offers owners multiple subscription-based convenience and safety services. Inside the Mitsubishi Outlander, you’ll find two buttons that connect to Mitsubishi’s call center: an SOS Emergency Assistance button and a non-emergency Information Assistance/Roadside Assistance button. Activating a Mitsubishi Connect subscription also activates the in-vehicle connection.
Choosing Mitsubishi Connect Safeguard Services activates Automatic Collision Notification, which senses when the vehicle is involved in a severe crash and dispatches emergency services to the vehicle’s location. Safeguard Services also include an Alarm Notification and Stolen Vehicle Assistance. Dispatchers will be notified if your factory alarm is triggered and will send you a notification immediately. If your Outlander is stolen, Mitsubishi will send the vehicle’s location to law enforcement and aid in its recovery.
Choosing Mitsubishi Connect Remote Services is all about convenience. This subscription turns your smartphone into a remote key. Simply open the app, and you can start your Outlander remotely (perfect for a cold winter’s morning), lock and unlock the doors, and locate your vehicle in a crowded parking lot. You can even turn on the headlights and sound the horn. The app also stores data on vehicle health, fuel level, and more.
If your household includes teen drivers, you’ll love the Curfew Alert, which notifies you with a push notification if your Outlander is on the road beyond a preset time. It will also notify you if the ignition is turned on during a time you have set as restricted. You can set geographical boundaries, and speed alerts too, which will help you keep tabs on young, inexperienced drivers and, in turn, keep your stress level low.
Infotainment and Other Bells and Whistles
Connecting your smartphone and tapping into your content, including playlists, podcasts, and even your contacts list, is easy with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Outlander’s large infotainment touchscreens (either 20 or 23 cm, depending on trim) can be optioned with connected navigation and a Multi-View Camera System with a unique Moving Object Detection capability that highlights pedestrians and vehicles. A wireless smartphone charger is also available on select trims which is something you certainly do not see on all SUVs for sale.
All Outlanders come with a standard 18 cm driver data center that displays key driving information, like current speed and fuel level; however, a massive 31 cm version is available as an option. The fully customizable larger digital display sits just beyond the steering wheel, giving drivers easy access to navigation cues, entertainment settings, and a digital speedometer. Add the available head-up display, and relevant data is projected at eye level on your windshield. The trim you choose determines the availability of these advanced technology features.
Mitsubishi offers buyers available wireless smartphone connectivity and a robust 10-speaker Bose premium audio system that takes full advantage of the Outlander’s cabin acoustics. Selecting the top-of-the-line Outlander GT Premium S-AWC for a surprisingly low MSRP of $42,178 gets you heated front and rear seats, power front seats with a key-linked memory feature, multiple USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio compatibility.[a]
Other fun features include all-wheel drive (which Mitsubishi calls Super All-Wheel Control) with a drive mode system. Available drive modes include Eco, Normal, Snow, Gravel, Tarmac, and Mud. Multiple driver-assist systems combine to keep occupants safer and drivers more engaged. These systems include collision alerts, Driver Attention Alert, and Active Blind Spot Assist, which helps drivers make safer lane changes.
Choose the Outlander and Welcome Style Back to the SUV
You shouldn’t have to compromise style when you buy an SUV. Sure, this category is synonymous with practicality, but with models like the Mitsubishi Outlander, you can still feel that twinge of pride every time you slide behind the wheel. One look at the Outlander’s side profile, and you’ll see that the unique flat roofline is unlike any other.
Inside, ergonomics and upscale finishes make the cabin driver-centric. Upper-level trims add luxury-level features like quilted semi-aniline leather and chrome accents. All that luxury and technology could cause you to forget that the Outlander is still a practical, affordable three-row SUV. You’ll get the best of both worlds: a fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient vehicle designed for comfort, safety, and reliability, all while looking terrific pulling up to the valet.