Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 DI-D SE 15 | 08 | 2010Scotcars rating
Mitsubishi Outlander does the job without getting too excited about anything really
Overview
The past few years haven’t been the best for Mitsubishi. The perception is they’ve lost some of the status they held when they were winning round after round on the international rally scene and the Shogun 4x4 was one of the best offroaders on the market. They’ve put a lot of work into regaining their position and while the astonishing Evo X is still one of the most amazing driver’s cars on the road, the rest of the range looks a bit dated and lacking in sparkle.
The Shogun is still there but doesn’t feel quite the innovative, burly machine once was. What is better is its wee brother, the Outlander, which replaced the Shogun Sport and the latest version of which is far better than its predecessor. It’s a lightweight offroader but easy to use and with the option of seven seats is a really practical machine, whatever you ask it to do. There is still a utilitarian Japanese feel to it, but that’s no bad thing as long as you can count on everything to work, which it does.
Everything from the driver’s perspective is functional and businesslike
On the road
The 2.0-litre engine in the test vehicle felt a touch weak and I’m told the larger 2.2 is a more capable unit, but having said that it rolled along quite happily and carried a variety of loads without objection, even if it wasn’t the first away from lights, or even second or third. It’s the easiest job in the world to switch to four-wheel-drive if the going gets tough. All you do is rotate the knob beside the gearchange and a light on the dashboard confirms you’ve got traction on all wheels. I did enjoy the lightness of touch in the controls which shows you don’t have to be a bodybuilder to drive in the rough stuff. The gearchange is silky smooth and while some may say the diesel engine sounds rough on tickover, I enjoy the reassuring, if agricultural sounding rattle from under the bonnet.
Comfort & Safety
Everything from the driver’s perspective is functional and businesslike, clear and concise and easy to operate. It’s comfortable without any sense of luxury and everything is in the right place. The rear loadspace, with the seats folded, is very useful and can swallow some large items, although a two-metre high fridge-freezer — which was destined for the dump — was unfortunately beyond it because of the limited depth of the space. But for run of the mill items and certainly a family holiday, it would easily do the job. The slightly higher ride height is also useful and reassuring.
Should I buy one?
It’s a reasonably affordable, capable and reliable machine which won’t get the pulse racing, but will work hard for its keep.
Alan Douglas
| Quick Stats |
| Price OTR/As Tested |
£20,548 / £20,548 |
| Engine / Power: |
1998cc / 138bhp |
| How fast?: |
0-62mph 10.8secs, Max 116mph |
| How big/heavy?: |
H1720mm W1800mm L4640mm / 1690kg |
| How thirsty/CO2?: |
Combined 40.9mpg / CO2 183g/km |
| InsGP/Road tax: |
11E / Band I, £175 |
| Alternatives: |
Dodge Journey; Ford Kuga; Honda CR-V; Hyundai Tucson |