Ok, I'm going to just come out and say it: the Outlander is one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs out there. Dynamically, the Outlander reminds me of my Evo in more ways than I expected.
Powertrain-wise, the Outlander's V6 is merely adequate unlike the Evo's overachieving turbo-4. However, like the Evo, the Outlander's chassis has fundamental goodness...
Mitsu seems to have done their homework on this new chassis, as it also impressed us (and me) in Lancer GTS guise.
Bottom line: the Outlander just feels great to drive. Beyond that, there's a whole lot to like about the Outlander. It's the right size. The seats are outstanding, and the sound system rocks. Heck, it even looks great. Nice job, Mitsu.
Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor
stingray454 says:
11:17 AM, 05/18/07
I've never driven an Outlander, so I can't say you're wrong, but your post certainly sounds like you're a Mitsubishi fan-boy, and your opinion of Mitsubishi vehicles in general is favorably biased. Undoubtedly because you own an Evo, which you're obviously thrilled with.
Keep things objective, please. How does the Outlander compare to it's competition for example. We know what you like about it, but what don't you like about it? No vehicle is perfect.
phinneas519 says:
11:22 AM, 05/18/07
stingray, I've read plenty of posts and articles with Toyota-favored slants. Would you like to call them out while you're at it?
dodo2 says:
12:53 PM, 05/18/07
Jason: Finally someone at Edmunds.com is saying out loud, without IFs and BUTs, what makes the Outlander stand out - driving dynamics.
I cannot agree more that the Outalnder's power is "mearly adequate", not unerpowered (CRV), not overpowered (RAV4 V6). It just hits the sweet spot of this segment.
stingray454: You could read about the negatives in every other post or review, repeated obsesivelly: few cheaper interior trim pieces that make the interior feel somewhat cheap feeling for some people.
Go sit in one and see how it feels for YOU (this is a personal matter). If you get past that point, take one out for a test drive. If you are the type of driver that actually likes to drive, and you understand that you are driving an SUV and not a sports car, you will want one.
I'm not a Mitsu fanboy, just a first time Mitsu owner. I like cars and I like to drive them so I chose the Outlander as my compact SUV. It does very well everything else a compact SUV should do.
alpha01 says:
01:20 PM, 05/18/07
The Outlander is also probably the sharpest looking compact SUV. I know, I know, styling is subjective... but I'm really smitten by the Mitsu's design with the new Outlander and Lancer....
SubyTrojan says:
02:11 PM, 05/18/07
alpha01, this Scooby fanboy wholeheartedly agrees with you!
Jason, did the vehicle exhibit any torque steer while you were driving it?
cx7lover says:
03:18 PM, 05/18/07
I have to Disagree here, the CX-7 is MUCH more sportier than the outlander, and sure the outlander has nice driving dynamics, but it CERTAINLY isn't the sportiest.
jkavanagh says:
04:16 PM, 05/18/07
Not all of our blog entries have to focus on a car's weak points.
Suby, I noticed just a shade of torque steer when taking off briskly from a standstill. It was very mild, but since you asked I'll pay additional notice next time I drive it.
The CX-7's another sharp-driving SUV, for sure.
SubyTrojan says:
04:44 PM, 05/18/07
Thanks, Jason! The one time I drove it (the night before we ran it through its paces at Fontana), I thought it pulled slightly to the right a little at WOT from a standstill.
dodo2 says:
06:53 PM, 05/18/07
Cx7lover: Nobody said the Outlander is the sportiest compact SUV. I would agree this title should go to the CX7, but the Outlander is the first runner-up for sure.
Suby: Out of curiosity, why are you trying so hard to prove that the Outlander exhibits torque steer? Just the fact that this is not noticeable under normal driving conditions and you have to push it hard to get any torque steer (if any) shows that this is not an issue.
In other vehicles all you need to do is to push the gas pedal a bit harder and.... bingo.
BTW - You guys may want to let your colleague Donna know that the Outlander doesn’t have the torque steer issues as she implied in the 2008 Saturn Vue Full Test. Quote: “…both the Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota RAV4 display noticeably unpleasant symptoms of torque steer.” Did she ever drive this vehicle anyways? Not sure since she claimed the REAR seats are HEATED in your tester!?... I guess they were heated by the California sun... LOL
stingray454 says:
08:12 AM, 05/21/07
BTW, what's with all the Mitsubishi fanboys calling them "Mitsu"? It's Mitsubishi, not Mitsu. Is everyone that lazy they need to abbreviate? Should we call Toyota "Toyo"? Hondas "Hon" ? Another annoying one is calling Kawasaki "Kawie's". CORNY
SubyTrojan says:
09:13 AM, 05/21/07
dodo2, please relax. Do you think it's wrong for me to want to know if my "posterior"-meter is correct? I will readily concede I'm not within the target demographic for this vehicle (I'm 25, single, and not much of the "outdoorsy" type provided rallying doesn't count). I'm generally not a fan of CUVs/SUVs in the sense that their driving dynamics are still a far cry from my WRX's.
jkavanagh says:
10:36 PM, 05/21/07
stingray: You've never heard "Chevy" either, I suppose.