2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Review
Halfway through this review, I realized I was convincing myself — one paragraph at a time — that I actually don't like the Mitsubishi Outlander, so I had to reverse course. See, the utilitarian in me wanted to give the crossover a thumbs-up. It's strong on all the practical fronts a family-minded shopper ought to weigh: cargo and seating versatility, reliability, safety, gas mileage and overall value. But so are a number of prominent competitors, and it's when you compare the Outlander with those vehicles that you realize you're left with a car that's far less refined than it ought to be. As a utility vehicle, the Outlander gets the job done. As something you and your family can enjoy day in and day out, it may not be the best choice.
The five- or seven-seat Outlander comes in front- or all-wheel drive (click here to compare it with the 2008 Outlander). Trim levels include the four-cylinder ES and SE, and the V-6 XLE. Last year's LS trim is gone. I drove an all-wheel-drive SE, but I've also driven a V-6 version, a couple years back.
- Not Too Quick
- But Still Fun
- Cabin Quality
- Cabin Quantity
- Reliability, Safety & Pricing
- Outlander in the Market
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Not Too Quick
The four-cylinder provides adequate, if noisy, power. A continuously variable
automatic transmission is standard; it's not the quickest responder around town,
taking its time to gin up the proper
But Still Fun
Green-light power isn't the only ingredient in driving fun — just test a car
like the non-turbo Mini Cooper or even Mitsubishi's base Lancer. The Outlander
is fun in the same kind of way: The st
Cabin Quality
So could the cabin. Well-appointed interiors aren't a Mitsubishi hallmark,
but the Outlander feels like one of the brand's shoddier efforts. Dashboard
plastics are hard to the touch and have a tex
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Operation of the automatic transmission INVECS-II
CAUTION
(1) Before selecting a gear with the engine running and the vehicle stationary,
fully depress the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from creeping. The vehicle
will begin to move as soon as the gear is engaged, especially when the engine speed
is high, at fast idle or with the air con
“Child-protection” rear doors
1- Lock.
2- Unlock.
Child protection helps prevent the rear doors from being opened accidentally
from the inside.
If the lever is set to the locked position, the rear doors cannot be opened using
the inside handle, but only with the outside handle.
If the lever is set to the “Unlock” p
