2015 Mitsubishi Outlander review & road test | Auto Expert John Cadogan

The new Mitsubishi Outlander launch press launch has just wrapped up. You'll see a blip in 2016 Outlander marketing in coming days, and if you’re thinking of buying one, this 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander review is exactly what you need to know.

The 2015/2016 Outlander is a facelift of the old model. Same fundamentals, minus some of the nagging criticisms that dogged the old one. (The 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander: Bit noisy, bit harsh, bit cheap and nasty inside; bit revvy on the CVT front.)

Mitsubishi Outlander prices are largely unchanged: either within $750 more, or $400 less than the predecessor, or no change. The cheapest models have gone up, and the dearest models have come down.

Aside from the new Mitsubishi Outlander nosecone, called Dynamic Shield, the biggest change is the new CVT control system. It’s called CVT8. Mitsubishi says CVT8 delivers 26 per cent more torque transmission than the predecessor. Sharper throttle response and a resulting more intuitive interplay between throttle, revs and road speed make the CVT feel less reprehensible, allegedly, and also delivers a very slight boost in fuel efficiency.

They've pumped up the Outlander's acoustic insulation and tweaked the glass to cut noise, vibration and harshness. And there's the odd suspension upgrade as well. Bigger rear dampers - that kind of thing. Warranty remains five years, but the distance attached to that warranty has come back to 100,000 kilometres.

All new Outlander models get new 18-inch alloys - a big upgrade for the base model there. LED daytime running lamps and LED combination rear lamps are standard across the range, there’s a new, very nice steering wheel as well, and more comfy seats as well.

There are three models: LS, XLS and Exceed. When it comes to new stuff, the base model LS gets privacy glass and repeater lamps in the wing mirrors. Jumping up to the mid-spec XLS gets you digital audio, electric folding and heated wing mirrors for those urban jungles where most Outlanders will do business. And the top-spec Exceed gets LED headlamps and glossy black garnish.

There are three carryover Mitsubishi Outlander engines: 2.0-litre and 2.4-litre petrol, and a 2.2 diesel. The diesel comes with a conventional six-speed auto and all-wheel drive only. It works like this: the 2.0-litre engine is 2WD only, and you can only get it in XL and XLS versions. 2.4-litre petrol is available with all-wheel drive only, right across the range. If you want seven seats, that’s XLS or Exceed, petrol or diesel. There’s only one manual - a throwback and, I suspect, it’s just there to be a price leader.

If you’ve got about $40,000 to spend, a 2.4-litre Mitsubishi Outlander XLS all-wheel drive is looking pretty good. If I was spending my money on an Outlander, that would probably be the one.

Outlander is effectively one rung down from the pick of the heavy-hitting SUV seven seaters: Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger - it’s not as potent, nor is it as premium. But it does represent a significant saving in cash. That Hyundai/Kia 2.2 diesel in Sorento and Santa Fe is a cracker that Mitsubishi’s 2.2 diesel in XLS and Exceed just can’t match. And 3.5-litre V6s, like the Kluger and Sorento, do tend to murder 2.4-litre Mitsubishi fours. I’d be putting the smart money on the Goliath option there.

In the five-seat SUV set, the Mazda CX-5 out-points the Mitsubishi across all three engines. The CX-5 also features a conventional six-speed auto, and it’s a compelling choice following its recent facelift - so have a good look at the CX-5 if you need a five-seat SUV.

If you're looking at an Outlander, by definition you're also in the market for a Nissan X-TRAIL. The petrol engines are line-ball between the two, but Outlander’s 2.2 diesel absolutely eclipses Nissan’s 1.6 diesel.

Finally, if you don’t need seven seats, but you want a wagon for the family, why not just buy a car? I’m not being flippant. People don’t ask themselves why they’re actually buying an SUV. You can get a Mazda6 Touring (the station wagon) for the same approximate price as an XLS 2.4 Outlander.

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