Doug Newcomb 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander GT S-AWC The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander has an edge in off-road capability and is only one of two crossovers in its class with a third-row seat, but many competitors offer more features and refinement.
Standard third-row seat. Selectable all-wheel drive modes. More powerful engine than competitors.
No infotainment connectivity. Lackluster fuel economy.
Originally introduced in 2003, the Mitsubishi Outlander has been a perennial bottom-dweller in terms of crossover car sales. A 2014 model year redesign significantly updated the exterior styling, added new technology, and most crucially, made a third-row seat standard. For the 2015 model year, the Outlander GT S-AWC has received mild exterior updates and additional standard features such as Bluetooth. But with category leaders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4 also sporting recent redesigns, the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander still comes up short in some aspects, like connectivity.
The base Outlander ES starts at $23,195 and is only available in front-wheel drive (FWD), while the SE is available in either FWD starting at $24,195, or all-wheel drive (AWD) starting at $26,195. Both of these trims come with a 166-horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, and a continuously variable transmission. The top-of-the-line GT trim that we tested starts at $28,195 and comes with a 224-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 engine, with a 6-speed automatic transmission and Mitsubishi's Super All Wheel Control. Our test car also had the $6,100 Touring Package option that, along with an $850 destination/handling charge, upped the total sticker price to $35,145.
In addition to the V6 engine and automatic transmission with AWD, just a sampling of the Outlander GT's standard features include: steering wheel paddle shifters, high-intensity discharge auto on/off headlights, color-keyed and heated power side view mirrors with turn indicators, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, a 6-way adjustable driver's seat and 4-way adjustable front passenger seat, keyless entry and starting, HD AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, a USB port, and Mitsubishi's Fuse Bluetooth hands-free phone and streaming audio system. The third-row seat is undoubtedly a big selling point for some, but keep in mind that it's rather cramped, and only kids will sit back there without bemoaning the lack of leg room.
The Touring Package on our tester adds a sunroof, roof rails, power liftgate, leather upholstery, a navigation system with a 7-inch touch screen, and a 710-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system with nine speakers, including a 10-inch subwoofer. Adaptive cruise control with a collision warning and mitigation system and lane departure warning are also included in the Touring package.
Mitsubishi's Multi Communication System head unit has a few features not found on other vehicles, such as an Environment page that shows the current altitude and barometric pressure, and a calendar that allows setting alerts for anniversaries and other "special days." In addition, the Rockford Fosgate audio system has more ways to shape the sound than almost any other vehicle we've tested, including the usual tone controls and EQ settings, along with two separate surround and sound fields settings. But tweak as we may, the system's sound was still difficult to tame and too bass-heavy for our tastes.
The extra features are nice, but Mitsubishi offers no cloud-connected content such as streaming music apps and Internet-enabled local search for navigation. And the available audio sources—AM and FM HD radio, satellite radio, CD, USB, SD card, and Bluetooth—are all base level for a modern vehicle. The Touring package's adaptive cruise control is a welcome addition, but is also becoming more common in the segment.
The Outlander GT's 224-horsepower, 3.0-liter V6 engine is more powerful than many of the ones you'll find in competing flagship models. The flipside is that the Outlander GT comes up short on fuel economy. Handling is solid, steering feel is above average, and the interior is comfortable (if not as quiet as most competitors). Where the Outlander has a slight edge is in off-road capability, since its all-wheel drive system offers selectable modes that provide a bit more capability in mud and snow.
The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander is only one of two crossovers that offer a third-row seat—the other being the Nissan Rogue. The Rogue has leading fuel economy and better tech than the Outlander, for a lower sticker price. Likewise, CUV stalwarts such as the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV-4, and the Ford Escape offer better connectivity, more interior refinement, and higher fuel economy. The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander, while still a contender, isn't quite as easy a pick as any of those vehicles.