MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER REVIEW

List price from £23,799 Lease price from £336 The verdict 7 

The Mitsubishi Outlander is one of the cheapest seven-seat 4x4s around

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a spacious and comfortable 4x4 that’s available with the option of seven seats.

It's cheaper than most rivals that offer similar practicality. And buyers can choose from a conventional 2.2-litre diesel model and a plug-in hybrid version with running costs worthy of a small hatchback.

Space

Good for passengers and luggage

While it’s not especially dramatic to look at, the Mitsubishi Outlander’s square shape does make it practical.

Up front there’s loads of head and leg room, while the second row offers plenty of space for three people.

True, the plug-in hybrid model is only available as a five-seater because it has an electric motor beneath its boot floor, but most diesel versions come with two extra seats that can be folded into this space when they're not needed.

Even with these rearmost seats in position there’s a useable boot, and with them stowed away it’s huge. Access is easy too thanks to the large tailgate. And with all five rear seats folded down you’re left with a van-like space.

You get some good-sized storage cubbies in the front of the car. 

Comfort

Soft suspension copes well with bumps

The suspension is softer than a HondaCR-V’s or MazdaCX-5’s, meaning the Outlander leans more dramatically in bends, but also soaks up most bumps in the road.

Wind and road noise are largely absent, too, and the 2.2-litre diesel engine is relatively muted once warmed up, but it does transmit some unwelcome vibrations into the car.

Unsurprisingly, the plug-in hybrid model is generally smoother and quieter, although thre are times when its petrol engine suddenly bursts into vigorous life for seemingly no reason.

Two-way steering wheel adjustment and multi-adjustable seats mean most people should be able to find a comfortable driving position. 

Dashboard layout

Disappointing materials and could be easier to use

Mitsubishi has long suffered from the Japanese idea that quality simply means long-lasting, with the end result being hard and unappealing dashboard plastics. And while the plastics in the latest Outlander are better than the previous models', they still lack the soft-touch tactility that you find in rivals.

Usability is more impressive because the instruments can be read at a glance and all of the important controls are positioned high on the dash within easy reach. However, the touchscreen control system that’s fitted to higher-specification Outlanders is rather fiddly.

The more conventional push button controls in GX2 and GX3 versions of the car make life much simpler, although you do lose some features. 

Easy to drive

Fine if you specify parking sensors

The Outlander has an elevated driving position and big windows that give you a decent all-round view, although you’ll still want reversing sensors to help with parking; these are standard on more expensive versions of the car, but cost extra if you go for a GX2 or a GX3.

Plug-in hybrid Outlanders also get an automatic gearbox as standard, whereas this is only an option on the diesel.

While the Outlander could never be described as fast, all versions make it easy enough to build speed. And the four-wheel-drive system is simple, with a push of a button all that’s needed to switch to a different mode when the conditions demand it.

In addition, the plug-in hybrid has paddles behind the steering wheel, which let you control how much energy is put back into the batteries (and consquently how quickly you slow down) when you lift off the accelerator.

Fun to drive

Focuses on practicality and comfort over fun

The Outlander isn’t really aimed at an audience wanting to go tearing around back lanes for kicks and that’s obvious from behind the wheel.

It lurches about in bends and quickly runs out of front-end grip, while the steering is slow to react to inputs and disconcertingly light.

Reliability

Mitsubishi’s customer satisfaction record needs to improve

The latest Outlander is too new to have been included in the JD Power customer satisfaction survey, but Mitsubishi has a poor record, finishing 25th out of 27 manufacturers in 2013.

Land Rover, by contrast, finished fifth, although Mitsubishi does offer the reassurance of a five-year warranty and a three-year pan European breakdown assistance package.

Fuel economy

Diesel below average; hybrid promises amazing efficiency

With a manual gearbox, the diesel Outlander averages just over 50mpg in Government tests. That’s more than the Land Rover Freelander, but the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are both a lot more efficient.

Choose the automatic gearbox and the Outlander’s official economy drops to about 48mpg.

On the other hand, the plug-in hybrid version has a remarkable official average of 148mpg, which no rival can get close to. Just bear in mind that you have to do mostly short journeys and plug the car in regularly to get near this. On longer runs you'll struggle to get much more than 30mpg.

Affordability

If you do lots of short journeys, the hybrid could be very cheap to run

CO2 emissions of 44g/km mean you’ll be taxed on just 5 per cent of the plug-in hybrid's value if you run it as a company car. And if your commute is under 20 miles or so, you’ll be able to avoid filling stations altogether. Even when you factor in higher electricity bills, it still has the potential to save you a fortune.

The diesel version is harder to recommend because it’s not especially cheap to buy or run and is unlikely to hold its value as well as rivals. At least a fixed-price deal of £600 for the first three services keeps maintenance costs manageable. 

Safety

Cheaper models are safe; the range-topper even more so

Only the range-topping GX5 model has a system that warns you if you’re straying out of your lane, and another that automatically applies the brakes if it looks like you’re going to run into the vehicle in front. However, cheaper versions of the Outlander still come with lots of safety features.

Seven airbags (including a knee ’bag for the driver) are standard across the range, as are electronic aids that boost stability, prevent skidding under braking and alert drivers behind of emergency braking by flashing the hazard lights.

All of this helped the Outlander earn the maximum five-star rating when it was assessed by independent safety body Euro NCAP. And its child protection score was better than that achieved by Honda’s CR-V. 

Standard spec

Cheapest version feels quite basic

Every Mitsubishi Outlander comes with four-wheel drive, climate control and a socket that lets you play your iPod through the stereo. However, if you choose the cheapest, GX2 model you have to make do with steel wheels and five seats.

The GX3 not only adds alloy wheels (and two extra seats in the diesel), but also a Bluetooth hands-free phone connection, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers and a dual-zone climate control system that lets the driver and front passenger select different temperatures.

Then GX4 and GX5 Outlanders bring heated seats, leather upholstery, a parking camera and satellite-navigation.

Additional features on the GX5 include a powered tailgate, an automatic gearbox (this is an option on the GX3 and GX4) and an adaptive cruise control system that keeps you a set distance from the car in front.

Our favourite version	PHEV GX4h, list price £32,899 (with £5000 Government grant)
Options you should add	Fixed price servicing (£600) and rear parking sensors (£232)

Source : telegraph[dot]co[dot]uk