We had a long term Outlander a few years back and I remember it being a car no one wanted to take home or for the weekend. This new Outlander is much better - more power, smoother ride, better handling and a larger interior. That being said, it strikes me as unremarkable. I don't hate it but I'm having a hard time finding something to really love about it...
The third row seat is a real bonus. I was bummed that a plastic panel popped off as I opened up that rearmost seat. A small clip is broken and that makes the whole thing pop off when you open the third row seat.
Granted, the cargo area of the Mitsu looked like someone used it to install chain link fencing around a mud bog but I still think it should be more durable. Matters of consideration aside, this kind of rough treatment is probably how many owner would expect to use their Outlander.
Brian Moody, Road Test Editor
daytona_500 says:
09:52 PM, 01/19/08
Hard time finding something to like about it? How about the amazing styling, the good sound system, the rear tailgate and the fact that it's fairly inexpensive? Could you say any of that for a RAV4?
dragonflight says:
01:13 PM, 01/20/08
@ daytona_500:
Amazing styling: RAV4 doesn't look too bad these days...
Sound System: The JBL on the Rav4 sounds fine...
Now for the categories you didn't mention:
Power: 265 hp with less weight... 6-7s 0-60
Fuel Economy: Comparable to many 4cyl small SUVs, even with the V6
Dealership/Service: As much as I think Toyota's sales could do to improve, the service has always been much better than Edmunds has described Mitsu's. Not to mention there are a heck of a lot more dealers.
And finally, RESALE VALUE: the Toyota simply destroys the Outlander in this aspect.
Disclaimer: I actually own a Tucson, but just can't stand fanboys..
dodo2 says:
01:42 PM, 01/20/08
The "little things" you are talking about have little to do with the car itself, but with the way you take care of it. If you abuse it and you are careless, you will scratch and scuff the plastic surfaces of any vehicle sooner or later. Check the Camry, C300 and perhaps other blogs and you will see what I’m talking about. And BTW, can you name any vehicle in the same class as the Outlander with scratchproof plastics or even with ”hard-to-scratch” plastic? IIRC Nitro and some Jeeps have something like this, but they are different type of vehicles all together.
daytona_500 says:
03:32 PM, 01/20/08
dragonflight,
I assure I'm not a fanboy of any brand, I am however a fanboy of what I judge to be nice cars.
Forget the RAV4 comment for a minute - my main point I just dont see how Brian is having a hard time finding something to like about a brand new loaded SUV. If he was blogging about some 15 yr. old used car that he has to live with everyday I can understand. But this here is the Outlander, supposedly the "enthusiast's choice" - not a Jeep Compass or worse.
As for the RAV4, I only mentioned it because it was a previous LT vehicle very similar to this - I wonder if Brian found something to like about that.
bimmerjay says:
08:34 PM, 01/20/08
"my main point I just dont see how Brian is having a hard time finding something to like about a brand new loaded SUV."
Brian said:
"This new Outlander is much better - more power, smoother ride, better handling and a larger interior. That being said, it strikes me as unremarkable. I don't hate it but I'm having a hard time finding something to really love about it."
It sounds to me he does LIKE it. What's wrong with saying he doesn't LOVE it? To love a car IMO it has to be something special, not just "good" or "likeable". So maybe it isn't special to him. Just because it's brand-new and loaded doesn't mean it's great for everyone. Sheesh, let him have his opinion.
briancam says:
02:11 PM, 01/21/08
I couldn't have said it better my ownself. I like milk, I like bread, I like eggs but I LOVE German Chocolate Cake.
The Mitus has no chocolate, it is simply good, nice and likeable.
dodo2 says:
04:59 PM, 01/21/08
"I couldn't have said it better my ownself. I like milk, I like bread, I like eggs but I LOVE German Chocolate Cake. "
...but if you drop the eggs and your German Chocolate Cake on the floor you will get the same unpleasant result. Would you blame the eggs or the cake for that?