Mitsubishi Outlander SUV 3rd Generation 2014-2020 (GF/GG/ZJ/ZK/ZL) Review

Mitsubishi's 3rd-generation Outlander, also known globally by various codenames like GF/ZJ/ZK/ZLGG, was on sale for so long that it received two notable facelifts during its lifecycle. Mitsubishi waited a full two years before sales of the 3rd-generation Outlander started in the US, and by that time, it was already dated compared to all its rivals. This set the tone for the Outlander going forward.

For two years, the Outlander's crossover design was nondescript and generic. As you can see on these front images, when Mitsubishi redesigned the entire front end with its Dynamic Shield design language, the headlights received a new angular design with a strip of daytime running lights in their lower edge ¹, along with a stylish new grille comprising two thick chrome slats and a blacked-out center bumper underneath it ². It is framed by bold C-shaped chrome slashes swooping in toward the center underneath each headlight before diving down the bumper, separating the black inner section from the body-color outer sections. The chrome strips then curve outward again to terminate underneath the new fog-light housings ³. Finishing off the look is a satin-aluminum-look lower front lip spoiler ⁴.

For 2019, the front-end received some minor tweaks, with the two thick chrome grille slats being slimmed down and horizontally centered in the grille in line with the three-diamond logo, with black mesh above and below them ¹. A new, taller lower air dam with a chrome frame and slots at either end is used ². The headlights are subtly tweaked and their lenses rearranged ³.

Mitsubishi dropped the outdated rear light clusters for 2016. To save some money, the tailgate pressing and the outlines of the body-mounted taillamps are the same, but the light units themselves are completely overhauled and now all-red instead of all-white ¹. The trim panel below the rear window is replaced with a brand-new one containing larger and more angular tailgate-mounted taillight units and an arch-shaped chrome trim piece over the Mitsubishi logo ². The frumpy old bumper is replaced by a new one that places the backup lights and rear reflectors within the black lower section in upright slots on either side. By reducing the body-color rear bumper area, the bumper looks less heavy and bulbous, and far more dynamic ³. While the car received no off-roading enhancements, the 2016 facelift at least made it seem like it could get the job done. For the 2019 refresh, the rear is left alone entirely.

Even in profile, the changes to the 2016 Outlander's front and rear ends are clearly noticeable, especially the bold new headlights that sweep upward a lot further into the front fenders. Body-side moldings attached to the lower doors and sitting just above the rocker panels grow thicker toward the rear and now contain a contrasting satin-silver strip, doing much to break up the flat, slab-sided look of the old car ¹. Mitsubishi added several new alloy wheel designs throughout the years to keep it fresh ². With the 2019 facelift, Mitsubishi added 18-inch alloys as standard across the range ².

The Outlander's interior has remained consistent. While the overall look stayed the same, Mitsubishi continued to add new tech as it became available, as well as fresh colors and material choices. The 2016 facelift has a slightly restyled steering wheel too ¹. The basic layout with the screen at the top, the climate controls in the middle, and storage space below that has remained throughout the Outlander's life. The Outlander PHEV comes with a few unique interior features, including a model-specific static shifter.

Mitsubishi's 3rd-generation Outlander is available in three flavors, including two gas options and a plug-in hybrid. PHEV and NA 2.4-liter models can tow 1,500 lbs, while the larger 3.0-liter V6 can manage 3,000 lbs. The 4B12 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder is the most common engine, and it is the most affordable for buyers on a budget. This particular engine was carried over from the 2nd-generation model, which means it felt outdated right from the start. The 2.4 produces 166 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, and it sends the power to either an FWD or AWD system via a CVT transmission.

The most powerful engine available is a 6B31 3.0-liter V6, producing 224 hp and 215 lb-ft of torque. These figures aren't exactly explosive, and that's because it was also carried over from the 2nd generation model. This particular engine is limited to the top-tier GT specification and comes standard with a traditional six-speed automatic transmission and AWD.

Mitsubishi added the 2018 PHEV to the range, and this turned out to be the Outlander's saving grace. It finally gave the Outlander reasons to exist, as no other manufacturer was selling a plug-in hybrid in the segment. You could get a standard non-plug-in hybrid, but the Outlander sets itself apart by offering 22 miles of electric range. If your daily commute is less than that, you can save a bundle in fuel costs. The PHEV powertrain consists of a 4B11 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with two 60-kW electric motors. It's mated to a CVT transmission and comes standard with AWD.

All models perform worse than the EPA-estimated figures in real-world scenarios. The EPA figures would only be possible if you had the patience to drive the CVT the way it was intended to be driven. In other words, slow acceleration off the line, and never using more than a quarter throttle. Most drivers wouldn't be satisfied with this sluggish drive, however.

In PHEV models, the Outlander's MPG rating falls very rapidly once the battery is depleted. Once you've used up those 24 miles, it reverts back to being a gas-guzzling crossover. Unfortunately, the EPA does not have customer feedback for the V6 model, likely due to it not being a popular option.

* Real-world mpg and MPGe figures are provided by the EPA. Once a car has been on sale for a significant period of time, the EPA gets real-world figures directly from the customer base. These figures are then provided on the EPA website. Real-world figures are not available for certain models due to a lack of sales, or not enough people partaking in this after-sales survey.

Even though the Outlander launched without most of the driver assistance systems we take for granted these days, it is a safe purchase. Structurally, it's a strong car and the NHTSA gave it an overall rating of five stars. It also received five stars in the side impact test, and four stars in the rest of the evaluations. Keep in mind that the active safety measures improved over the years as Mitsubishi started adding new tech.

From launch, all Outlanders came with seven airbags (including a driver's knee airbag), ABS, stability control, and tire-pressure monitoring. Driver-assistance features such as frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning cost extra. The SE/GT spec adds a backup camera. From 2018, the backup camera became standard.

The Outlander has an easy-to-understand trim structure. For the first two years that it was on sale, only three trims were available: ES, SE, and GT. As part of the 2016 facelift, Mitsubishi added the SEL trim. In 2018, the LE was introduced and it proved to be the most popular trim during the 3rd gen's final few years. The SP was a one-year-only special edition, while the GT served as the top trim from 2014 to 2020.

Trim-specific changes are outlined in the sections below and mostly, the next trim has everything the previous one has, plus more, as indicated. Some changes affected the entire range and to this end, 2016 brought the fresh looks and LED daytime running lights to all models, as well as a second row that folds more easily. For 2017, a backup camera is made standard across the board. New range-wide options include a surround-view camera, auto high beams, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a heated steering wheel. With smartphone integration optional from 2017, the built-in navigation is no longer offered, as Mitsubishi realized most owners would probably use smartphone-based navigation mirrored on the vehicle's infotainment screen instead. Along with the standardization of the seven-inch touchscreen, 2018 sees standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well.

Besides the mild facelift, 2019 Outlanders gain illumination for the window switches, redesigned front seats, rear ventilation vents, an electronic parking brake across the board, suspension tweaks to improve ride quality, and better sound insulation. At the same time, the spare wheel was dropped in favor of a tire-repair kit and interior trim quality was improved. 2020 Outlanders have an improved AWD system with yaw control and Normal, Snow, Lock, and AWD Eco driving modes. The optional Rockford Fosgate disappeared from the 2020 lineup in favor of a Mitsubishi-branded "Power Sound System".

The Outlander is available in five and seven-seat configurations. The PHEV is limited to five seats due to the battery placement. Headroom and legroom are plentiful in the first and second rows, but the Outlander's third row is only suitable for small kids. It only has 28.2 inches of legroom and 35.7 inches of headroom. These seats are best left folded flat, and are only to be used on odd occasions when you need to transport six people over a short distance.

In-car storage is quite good. All three rows get cupholders, while the second and first row benefit from large door pockets. The center console also has ample space for phones, not to mention the large storage space hidden underneath the front armrest. With all three rows in place, the ICE Outlander has 10.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity. It's usable, but nothing special. Fold the third row flat and you get 34.2 cubes to work with. That's enough for a family of five for a weekend away from home. The PHEV's battery placement eats into the cargo capacity, dropping the above figure down to 30.4 cubes. Still, it's an ample amount of space for a family of five.

Mitsubishi hasn't done particularly well in the last decade: The dealer count has dropped down to 300, though there are always independent specialists you can rely on. The Outlander is also built in Japan, so you might have to wait for specialty parts that aren't readily available. Having said that, the Outlander is generally a robust car with reliable engines. The drivetrain is also covered by a ten-year/100,000 warranty, so the later you buy the more time you get coverage directly from Mitsubishi.

The Mitsubishi dealership network is geared for preventative maintenance. Service intervals might seem short, but this is generally to prevent the cars from breaking down. A basic oil change, oil filter replacement, and tire rotation are advised every 7,500 miles. If you frequently drive on muddy, salt-sprayed, dusty, or rough roads, or you operate your vehicle on short trips in freezing temperatures, or it idles for prolonged periods, Mitsubishi recommends that you half that distance and replace the oil every 3,750 miles. Every 15,000 miles, Mitsubishi will inspect the brake hoses and driveshaft boots and replace the cabin air filter. You can expect to pay around $200 for these services.

Every 30,000 miles all of the above needs to be done, plus the car will receive a new engine air filter. The car will also go through a thorough inspection, including looking at the brakes, suspension, coolant hoses, and the entire exhaust system. A more comprehensive service like this usually costs around $500. If you require coolant changes or any other sort of labor-intensive service, that price can quickly double. Mitsubishi replaces the CVT's transmission fluid every 30,000 miles but only under severe operating conditions. We would do it every 30,000 miles anyway, given these sometimes-delicate transmissions' propensity to develop problems if neglected. Mitsubishi recommends that the brake fluid is replaced every 45,000 miles. The oil in the transfer case should be replaced every 60,000 miles.

At 105,000 miles, a new set of spark plugs are due and the 6B31 V6 engine requires a new timing belt. Due to the labor involved with changing the timing belt, a service like this can cost around $3,000, though an independent service center should be able to do it for much cheaper. The PHEV follows the same maintenance procedures as the other ICE models, though its electric motors require little to no maintenance and its 4B11 2.0-liter engine requires no cambelt replacement, as it uses a chain, just like the 4B12 2.4-liter engine. Mitsubishi replaces the coolant every 120,000 miles.

There were more 2014-2020 Mitsubishi Outlander recalls than expected, although most of the flaws were minor and Mitsubishi was more than happy to rectify problems. 2014-2020 Outlander problems were most prevalent for the 2015 model year, as is usually the case with new models, and the 2014 model was only recalled for wiper problems.

2015 models were recalled nine times, for an inoperative right rear seat belt buckle, lower control arms that may detach, parking brake actuators that could corrode, and a seat belt lab fastener that wasn't torqued properly, and the wiper issue from the previous model year. More serious recalls include an engine that may stall or overheat, hesitation during acceleration, and fluid leaks from the transmission hose. A liftgate error and doors opening unexpectedly were added for the 2016 model year. Mitsubishi's recalled more than 130,000 Outlanders, Outlander Sports, and Lancers for defective relays. This was part of the Outlander's 2014 electric problems, and in this case, the engine could stall, provide reduced power, or overheat.

For the 2017/2018 models, three of the previously mentioned recalls were issued, along with a recall for a software glitch in the collision avoidance system. Some of the safety systems also stopped working altogether. The 2019 model was recalled for incorrect rim size information on the certification label. The then-new PHEV was recalled for the same reason, along with the inoperative rear seat buckle and an incorrectly assembled rear seat belt unit. There are no known PHEV problems, specifically. The rear seat belt assembly would go on to haunt the Outlander all the way to its final year of existence.

These are the model year error codes you'll most likely encounter when shopping for a 3rd-generation Mitsubishi Outlander:

• 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Code P1590 is an error code for the CVT transmission. 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Outlanders all had reported CVT transmission problems.
• 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Code P2096 is a warning for catalytic converter problems.
• 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Code P0340 is a fault with a generic camshaft position sensor.
• 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Code C1043 is a code that alerts you that the Active Skid Control system (ASC) is malfunctioning.
  

The PHEV's 2.0-liter 4B11 is just a smaller version of the mainstay 4B12 2.4-liter engine and both are products of the world engine developed Chrysler, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai in the early 2000s. It is a modern DOHC design with an aluminum block and cylinder head, a balancer shaft, and a maintenance-free chain drive for the cams. If properly cared for, this engine can do big mileages well in excess of 200,000 miles and has no significant weak spots to worry about; just be sure you replace the oil frequently to prevent premature wear and sludge build-up. The 6B31 V6 engine is also reliable, but a bit more maintenance-intensive, since it has a cambelt that must be replaced every 105,000 miles. The water pump runs off the cambelt and it's always a good idea to replace both the cambelt and water pump at the same time, because a water-pump failure that snaps the cambelt can ruin the engine.

We came across a few other problems, but in cases where less than five people reported a problem, it didn't make the list above. As an example, around five people complained about premature brake wear. These all had one thing in common - the powerful 3.0-liter V6. This is hardly the car's fault. Other limited glitches include ignition switch problems, as well as some alternator problems. We also read up on the back bottom tail lights problems, but not many owners complained about it. This particular problem is more prominent in Australia, where a recall was issued. We'd just keep a close eye on the bulbs, just in case they aren't as robust. A few owners complained about an inaccurate speedometer and the odd air-conditioning compressor failed, so check the operation of these items during your test drive.

The Mitsubishi Outlander third generation has a lot to offer, but so do other cars in the segment. It's not particularly good in any one area. You could make an argument for reliability, but Toyota does an even better job with the RAV4. We'd avoid all models apart from the later PHEV, as it at least offers a unique selling point. Early ES models with the ugly steel wheels and low spec levels are also not desirable at all. In terms of problems, the first five model years - 2014 to 2018 - stand out as causing the most problems.

The Mitsubishi Outlander 3rd generation isn't a particularly good car. It's acceptable in many ways, but not excellent in any one area. The only model worth going for is the PHEV. When it was new, it cost quite a lot more than the standard ICE car. But thanks to insane depreciation, the 2018 models lost nearly 40% of their value within three years. And considering the ten-year/100,000km warranty, makes for a good buy. A used PHEV is a good prospect, especially since it retails for what most entry-level compact crossovers cost these days. The 24-mile electric range is useful if not that impressive anymore. If you do need an Outlander, this is the one to go for. Just keep in mind that the battery pack is expensive to replace and might not make it much past ten years, so buy the most recent model you can find. By the 2019 model year, the Outlander was virtually problem-free and these are the best years to buy in terms of potential reliability.

The 2014-2020 Mitsubishi Outlander has always felt behind the times. That's because it is. Compared to all of its rivals, the Outlander doesn't have a standout feature. The PHEV is a different story, however. Used prices make it the cheapest plug-in hybrid you can still buy with a huge chunk of battery warranty left. We'd avoid all the other Outlander models, but if you have a short daily commute, the PHEV can save you a ton of money.