Chasing Cars attended the Australian launch of the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander, held in Sydney’s Cottage Point.
What we drove:
- Outlander LS (base) – 2-litre aspirated petrol four, 5 speed manual, Ironbark, front wheel drive
- Outlander Exceed (flagship) – 2.2-litre turbodiesel four, 6 speed automatic, Cool Silver, four wheel drive
It’s been just two years since the third-generation Outlander SUV made its debut – but Mitsubishi have already seen fit to give the car a comprehensive refresh. There’s a new look coined ‘Dynamic Shield’ outside, there’s a refit inside, and performance improvements lie under the skin. All this creates a much-improved midsize SUV – the Outlander still isn’t class leading, but the changes see it climb the ranks.
The range remains broad with three trims, three engines, and two drivelines. Pricing has gone up and down, with entry to a base LS up $750 to $28,490, while the flagship Exceed diesel falls in price to $46,490. But differences between the models are less distinct than ever, with Mitsubishi opting for zero visual differentiation between the grades. It’s creature comforts that set costlier Outlanders apart, with the Exceed’s advanced safety technology not even optional on lesser trims.
Mitsubishi told us that the focus was on making the Outlander ‘more aggressive’. We wouldn’t say the new car is as energetic as that – but it becomes more like the competent family SUV it should have been from the start, and a much more compelling option in the segment.
