Mitsubishi Outlander: Ride & Handling
It's not especially difficult to firm up a car's suspension and call it a sport model, but doing so doesn't guarantee driving it will be fun — just look at the Toyota Corolla XRS.
Automakers that do sporty cars well understand that both ride comfort and an entertaining driving experience are important. BMW has been successful at this in the luxury realm with models like the 3 Series, while the Mazda3 has carried the torch among small cars. The Lancer Sportback reminds me a lot of the Mazda3 because its chassis and steering tuning encourage you to have a little fun when the road bends.
While the Lancer Sportback's suspension tuning is on the firm side — it definitely gives you a feel for the road — it's not so firm that it'll grate on your nerves. Overall, the suspension does a nice job managing body motions while still allowing the car to have a playful, lively feel to it.
The nimble chassis is complemented by its quick-reacting steering. The standard leather-wrapped wheel feels nice in your hands, and there's a good amount of power assistance, which means you don't have to put a lot of effort into turning the wheel.
It can get a little loud in the cabin at highway speeds. Both road and wind noise contribute to the din, and backseat passengers will hear wind noise generated by the roof spoiler, which is right above their heads.
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Going & Stopping
The Lancer Sportback's 168-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine offers
energetic acceleration that should satisfy all but the most power-hungry
drivers. For them, Mitsubishi offers a Ralliar
Interior Design & Comfort
Mitsubishi has taken a minimalist approach with the Lancer Sportback's cabin
styling, and some places it works while in others it doesn't. While the
dashboard has an uncluttered, simple look that'
Cargo
There's 13.8 cubic feet of cargo room in the Lancer Sportback, which is
marginally larger than the sedan's 12.3-cubic-foot trunk. The Sportback's cargo
area is notably smaller than the Mazda3 hatc
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Filling the fuel tank
Warning
► When handling fuel, comply with the safety regulations displayed by garages
and filling stations.
► Before removing the fuel cap, be sure to get rid of your body’s static electricity
by touching a metal part of the car or the fuel pump. Any static electricity on
your
Battery
The condition of the battery is very important for quick starting of the engine
and proper functioning of the vehicle’s electrical system. Regular inspection and
care are especially important in cold weather.
Warning
► An SRS airbag sensor is located in the front of the engine compart
