By: Tarek Hawchar
The fourth-generation Outlander is the safest, most well-equipped, and most appealing three-row SUV currently available on the market
Over the past two decades, the compact Outlander’s style has failed to impress when compared to its rivals, such as the Honda CR-V, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Ford Escape. Customers looking for an all-rounder, family-friendly SUV couldn't find it to be the perfect fit!
With the redesigned 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, all that has changed. Thanks to a series of modern upgrades inside and out, a new platform, and a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, the fourth-generation Outlander is the safest, most well-equipped, and most appealing three-row SUV currently available on the market.
Unlike the old Outlander, the new compact SUV looks more advanced and comfortable; however, the V6 engine is no longer available, leaving the four-cylinder engine as the only powertrain with a front- or four-wheel-drive layout.
Mitsubishi has adopted its new “I-Fu-Do-Do” design philosophy on the 2022 Outlander, especially where the front face is concerned
Exterior
Mitsubishi has adopted its new “I-Fu-Do-Do” design philosophy on the 2022 Outlander, especially where the front face is concerned—it is the first Mitsubishi model to feature a new interpretation of the ‘Dynamic Front Shield’ face.
The restyled front grille, new LED headlights that are positioned both high and low, slim horizontal taillights, unique wheel arches, and a choice of 18-inch and 20-inch alloy wheels, complete the overtly aggressive and bold style of the new Outlander.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander comes in nine different shades, six of which are the basic colors, while three are part of the ‘Diamond Series,’ including the Red-Diamond, White-Diamond, and the all-new Black Diamond shades.
Dimensionally speaking, the new compact SUV is 4710 mm long, 1898 mm wide, and 1748 mm tall. With a 2706 mm long wheelbase, and a ground clearance of 213 mm, the new Outlander 50 is mm wider, and the wheelbase 36 mm longer, than the previous model.
The redesigned cabin is a better place to sit in than before, thanks to the premium, high-quality touches in and around
Interior
The new 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander’s premium feel extends beyond its exterior, as they made big changes throughout the interior as well. The redesigned cabin is a better place to sit in than before, thanks to the premium, high-quality touches in and around, aiming at positioning the compact SUV higher up the value chain. Genuine leather upholstery and aluminum accents are available on higher models, while the lower models feature fabric or suede seats.
Depending on the trim level, key interior features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, three-zone climate control, wireless charger, eight-way power adjustable driver seat with a memory function, a nine-inch central infotainment touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a full-color head-up display, panoramic sunroof, and 10-speaker Bose audio system, to name but a few.
The new compact SUV offers seating for up to seven passengers, and is the only vehicle in its class to offer three-row seating as standard
For practicality, the 2022 Outlander offers seating for up to seven passengers, and is the only vehicle in its class to offer three-row seating as standard. All seats are comfortable, with adequate legroom space in both the front and rear. Better yet, the second-row seats can split into a 40:20:40 ratio. The new compact SUV also offers 949 liters of cargo space behind the second row.
On the safety front, and aside from the 11 airbags coming standard, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander offers a wide range of driving assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane-change assist (LCA), lane-departure warning (LDW), blind-spot warning (BSW), a forward collision mitigation system (FCM) with pedestrian detection, hill start assist (HSA), rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and trailer stability assist (TSA), among other goodies.
Under the hood, there is a new 2.5-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 hp at 6000 rpm and 245 Nm of torque at 3600 rpm
Engine and Performance
Fittingly, there is only one engine option; a new 2.5-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 hp at 6000 rpm and 245 Nm of torque at 3600 rpm. Mated to an eight-speed CVT transmission that sends power to either the front or four wheels, the four-pot unit performs everyday duties well. However, the absence of a turbocharger is disappointing.
All-wheel-drive vehicles come with six drive modes, while front-wheel-drive vehicles have five. The six driving modes are Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud. Eco is for environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient driving, Normal is for regular driving, Tarmac is for driving on paved roads, Gravel is for high traction performance and stability on unpaved roads, Snow is for slippery roads, and Mud improves road handling on muddy roads or in deep snow.
The 2022 Outlander rides on a new platform, courtesy of the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance. Unlike the previous architecture, the new platform has 33 percent more torsional rigidity, thanks to the hot-stamped, ultra-high tensile steel used in key areas.
When handling the SUV, there is a decent amount of heft felt in the steering. Despite that, the front McPherson struts and the multi-link rear suspensions with stabilizer bars do a decent job of smoothing out all road imperfections.
Verdict
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is undoubtedly better than its previous model. It has many features and characteristics to brag about. It’s modern and extroverted styling, upgraded interior materials, comfortable seven-passenger seating, new platform shared with the Nissan Rogue, and long list of safety features make for an improved ride. However, the uninspiring four-cylinder, 2.5-liter engine and the lackluster CVT transmission are among the few downsides.