The redesigned 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander suggests it is new, but the related 2021 Nissan disease was a year earlier than that. Mitsubishi re-skinned and tweaked the crossover SUV to differentiate itself from its corporate siblings.
Combining the ratings of the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 with a TCC rating of 6.5 out of 10, the Volkswagen Tiguan has the best time. A few Montero styling vibes, nice design details and upscale features appeal to outlanders, but the powertrain leaves room for improvement in the busy, unusable third-tier and moderate fuel economy.
Here’s what I learned from spending a week with the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC.
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC
Hit: Montero vibes
Based on comments made by friends on my Facebook photo, the exterior design of the 2022 Outlander will not be for everyone. But recently the Outlander has some clear modernized Montero vibe with horizontal grille bar on the front end, big six component LED headlights and I dug it up. Inside, the four-spoke steering wheel doesn’t break from its Nissan cousin and reminds me of the Montero of the past.
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC
Miss: Humor
The Outlander is currently only available with an 181-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 with a continuously variable transmission. The upcoming plug-in hybrid model that will arrive later this year may not come soon. With inline-4 and transmission rogue sharing struggles when it comes time to accelerate with any urgency. The transmission is hesitant and the simulated gears are annoying. The whole powertrain is loud and always humming. Bring PHEV, which we expect more torque.
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC
Hits: All about the details
Outlander shows that Mitsubishi designers paid a little more attention to detail than the Nissan team. The window switch, scroll wheel and drive mode are knob knob; My $ 35,295 SEL tester skin was quilted (a nice touch at this price point), the start button is mounted on the dashboard to the right of the steering column where anyone would expect to find it (the disease is in the center console to the left of the shifter), and the shifter itself won’t move. Nissan does. It even has auto up / down windows on all four doors. For the price, it seems more than the sum of its parts.
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC
Miss: Token third row
The Outlander has a third row. The villain doesn’t do that. Outlander may not have a third row. It is small and useless with only 18.7 inches legroom. For reference, the outgoing Outlander had a 28.2-inch legroom. The cargo room behind the third row is a small 11.7 cubic feet.
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC
Hit: Snow mode
While some car drive modes don’t make a dramatic difference, I’m here to tell you that this isn’t the case with the Outlander. Normal drive mode is fine, but Snow Mode really helped my tester’s Bridgestone Ecopia HL422 Plus 255 / 45R20 tire outlander between slash and ice despite poor traction. The system has redesigned the throttle, transmission and stability control responses and made the Outlander feel like a more stable and controlled vehicle despite the inclement weather. However, the system is not a replacement for actual winter tires.
2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC
Miss: Not terribly skilled
The inline-4 and continuously variable transmission combo on paper is considered efficient. 24 mpg City, 30 highways, and 26 combined, with Outlander’s competitive EPA fuel economy rating. But in reality it was not effective, and the trip computer reported an average of 20.4 mpg on a 125-mile suburban driving course. The Minnesota Cold Outlander has done no good, but is entering the 20 mpg V-6 zone, which the Outlander does not have.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander stands out from the shadows of its corporate cousins while providing a strong value argument in a crowded segment, but the upcoming plug-in hybrid could be the real star.
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2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL 2.5 S-AWC
Cost: $ 26,990, with $ 1,025 destination
Price as tested: 35,295
Powertrain: 181-hp 2.5-liter inline-4, continuous variable transmission, all-wheel drive
EPA Fuel Economy: 24/30/26 mpg
Hits: Unique styles including Montero Vibes, available quilted leather, premium touches and features, Snow Mode
Misses: Useless third row, not efficient, buzzing powertrain